N.M. Code R. § 5.100.7.11 - REVIEW COMMITTEE

A. The purpose of the review committee is to assist the department in assuring that non-accredited institutions maintain high quality programs and operations. The committee will review applications of licensure for non-accredited institutions seeking state authorization. The committee shall also conduct programmatic review and approval for non-accredited institutions. The committee will make a final recommendation to the department for state authorization or program approval. The review committee will evaluate the following criteria:

(1) adequacy of the administration of the institution;

(2) adequacy of the curriculum and program requirements of the institution and of its programs;

(3) adequacy of qualifications and performance of the teaching faculty of the institution; and

(4) the institution's effectiveness as reflected in student outcomes such as program completion rates, withdrawal rates, and satisfaction of students and employers.

B. The review committee membership shall:

(1) be composed of an odd number of members appointed by the department and serving at the pleasure of the department;

(2) be representatives of education providers and consumers, including owners and operators of career schools and nonregionally accredited colleges and universities. Private post-secondary institutions shall be consulted in selection of their representatives; however, appointment and service shall be at the discretion of the department;

(3) have no less than two members representing the public interest. The public interest representatives shall be representative of the general public with particular interest in post-secondary education. Appointment and service shall be at the discretion of the department;

(4) have committee members who serve two year staggered terms or until their successors are appointed. A member may be reappointed for successive terms;

(5) not have more than one representative from any one institution among the members of the committee; and

(6) not allow a representative of an institution that is designated in another state as an institution offering fraudulent or substandard education.

C. Operation and work of the review committee shall be coordinated by staff of the department. The review committee:

(1) shall organize itself as it deems appropriate, at a minimum designating a chairperson to collaborate with department staff in arranging meetings, other operations, and reports of the committee;

(2) shall assist in reviewing applications, upon the request of the department. When assisting staff of the department in reviewing private post-secondary institutions, members of the committee must recuse themselves in actions in which they have a conflict of interest with their own institution or a direct competitor or that would otherwise have the appearance of impropriety. For example, a member representing a private post-secondary institution shall avoid participation in a review of or visit to an institution that is a direct competitor for students, defined as an institution offering a similar program of instruction within the same community;

(3) shall convene at minimum once a year to conduct review;

(4) shall report to the department at least once each year regarding the status of private post-secondary education in the state of New Mexico and any recommendations for improving the quality and operation of private post-secondary institutions;

(5) shall be reimbursed for travel expenses associated with convening and conducting review; and

(6) may form ad hoc work groups composed of any persons it deems appropriate, to help fulfill its responsibilities.

Notes

N.M. Code R. § 5.100.7.11

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVIII, Issue 24, December 26, 2017, eff. 12/26/2017, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXI, Issue 24, December 29, 2020, eff. 12/29/2020