2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog

New Mexico State University Library

The NMSU Library consists of two libraries, Zuhl Library and Branson Library. The research collection has over 1.6 million volumes. The library budget exceeds $5.7 million.

The library's collections are accessible through its online catalog and electronic databases via the library's website. The Reference and Research Services staff provides assistance in using the library's collections and services. The library provides a multi-faceted instruction program sdesigned to promote the information literacy skills that facilitate learning for all library users.

The library's Archives and Special Collections Department incudes Special Collections, University Archives, the Rio Grande Historical Collections (RGHC) and the Borderlands Collection, and houses both published, manuscript, and photographic materials. These unique reserach collections preserve and provide access to New Mexico's history and border culture.

On exhibit in Zuhl Library are geologic artifacts owned by Herbert and Joan Zuhl. The Zuhl Collection includes pieces consisting of petrified wood, invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, and minerals and rocks.

For more information, visit the library's web site at http://lib.nmsu.edu/.

International Programs

International Programs represents the university with U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and the private sector concerning international activities. IP coordinates the university's participation in the Consortium for International Development and serves as the university's representative for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. State Department's Exchange Visitor Program. IP also advocates for effective practices, policies, and procedures to internationalize the university. The five major program areas of the International Programs follow:

Foreign Student Programs and Services--This area serves more than 700 students from approximately 80 countries. It provides admission coordination and processing, orientation, personal counseling, support for student associations and community volunteers, and special services for sponsors. Appropriate immigration documents and advice on nonimmigrant visa regulations affecting international students are provided through this area. Organizations or agencies sponsoring foreign students who receive special services are expected to pay additional administrative fees not to exceed $500 annually.

International Education and Exchange Programs and Services--This area coordinates study abroad programs and services; assists faculty to identify international teaching and research opportunities; and coordinates the exchange visitor program for scholars. Appropriate immigration documents and advice on J and H visa regulations affecting international faculty and staff are provided through this area.

Technical Cooperation and Training Project Development and Management--This area assists faculty who want to participate in international projects requiring technical assistance and/or training. This includes project identification, proposal development, and project management. This area is also responsible for developing international cooperative agreements.

International Curriculum and Programs--IP identifies and promotes strategies and enhances the internationalization of courses and programs university-wide. This includes providing incentive grants for internationalizing curricula and increasing the international capacity of faculty.

Outreach and Public Service--IP extends international programs and services for use by the citizens of the state. This includes strategies to influence economic development through international involvement and to promote awareness of global issues.

Center for Learning Assistance and Retention

The center provides study skills assistance in such areas as time management, memory, concentration, note taking, study reading, test preparation, test taking, math/science study skills, speed reading, critical thinking, and graduate school and professional skills test preparation. The services are available to students in the following formats:

1. Individualized assistance is provided to any student who drops in at the center. This is a no-fee service.
2. Degree credit is offered under UNIV 110, Personal Learning Skills, UNIV 112, Academic and Personal Effectiveness, UNIV 150, The Freshman Year Experience, UNIV 300, Preparing for the GRE, and UNIV 350, Peer Education.
3. Learning strategies and study skills workshops provide quick assistance in one-hour presentations offered weekly throughout the semester.
4. Professional and graduate school workshops provide development in such areas as speed reading, getting into graduate school, preparing for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or NMTA.
5. Project Support workshops assist nontraditional and re-entry students in making the study skill and personal adjustments back into academic life.

Cooperative Education Program

New Mexico State University enjoys a national reputation for its Cooperative Education Program, which contributes to students' total educational experience and realization of career goals by integrating academic theory and practical application. Co-op assignments provide varied work experiences with employers from business, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. Students may also develop specially tailored co-op assignments.

Students can register for the alternating plan, usually working a minimum of two workphases throughout the U.S. or abroad; each phase may last up to eight months. Workphases are separated by semesters of on-campus classroom instruction. Note: While on alternating workphase, students are afforded full-time status with the university, whether or not they are enrolled for credit.

Continuous enrollment can be maintained through the parallel plan, working 20-30 hours per week concurrent with classroom instruction. Employers are generally located within commuting distance of the university. In addition to gaining academically related work experience, co-op students establish positive work ethics, receive remuneration for their educational experiences, and also may arrange for course credit through an academic department. In some instances, where co-op work assignments are either not available or are not appropriate for specific students' needs, information is available on internship opportunities offered by government, nonprofit organizations, and business/industry. During the summer months and throughout the academic year, internships may be arranged for academic credit. Internships are not always paid.

Another alternative to the Cooperative Education Program is summer employment, which may or may not be career related. Working during the summer affords students the chance to earn additional income and gain valuable work experience without affecting their academic schedules.

For further information, contact the Cooperative Education Program at MSC 3509, NMSU, P. O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, call (505) 646-4115, or email coop@nmsu.edu. Program particulates may be viewed at www.nmsu.edu/pment.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Information and Communication Technologies supports and facilitates information technology at NMSU. Through the campus network, NMSU-Net, students have access to mainframe and Unix processors that support instruction for all NMSU colleges. In addition, computer clusters located around campus provide PC's and Mac's loaded with typical personal computer software as well as course-specific software. Students will find word processing, spreadsheet, statistics, drawing and image processing, presentation, scientific computation, and other tools to assist them in a successful college career. Access to other campus resources such as the Library, email, bulletin boards, newsgroups, etc. are all readily available. Remote archives, databases, news, and all of the resources of the World Wide Web are also easily accessed. Student admissions, registration, and grades are provided on the web for easy student use. For further information, contact ICT, MSC 3AT, NMSU, P. O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, (505) 646-1840 or email help@nmsu.edu. NMSU's web homepage is located at www.nmsu.edu.

National Student Exchange Program

Under the National Student Exchange Program (NSE), students may pay NMSU tuition and attend any of 175 colleges or universities across the nation. NSE allows students to broaden their academic, social, and cultural awareness through study in different geographical settings. To qualify for the program, an applicant must be a full-time student with a 2.5 grade-point average and must be a sophomore, junior, or senior at the time of exchange. Applications for the program are accepted from October through December for the following academic year. Late applications may be accepted if space permits.

Grades and credit hours earned at the host institution become part of the official NMSU transcript upon approval of the academic adviser and records officer. Grades are recorded according to the NMSU grading system.

Servicemember's Opportunity College (SOC)

NMSU is a member of the Servicemember's Opportunity College consortium. As such, the university has agreed to write contracts with active-duty military, National Guard servicemembers and their families. This contract will enable them to continue degree work on an Associate's degree in the event of transfer from the local area. See "Servicemember's Opportunity College (SOC)" heading in the "Regulations" section for more information. For further assistance, the student should contact the SOC coordinator through Doña Ana Branch Community College.

Student Support Services Student Support Services is a program of encouragement and academic support to ensure that eligible students succeed at NMSU. Services include the following:

Mentoring--Participants meet with a mentor each week for help in adjusting to college, learning and using campus resources, developing effec tive study skills, accessing financial aid, using academic advising, staying motivated, and dealing with personal problems.

Tutoring--Individual tutoring is available by appointment in science, math, engineering, agriculture, social sciences, humanities, business, and foreign languages.

Computer Lab--Complete assignments, check email, receive individual instruction.

Cultural Activities--Participants receive tickets to plays, dance productions, concerts, and symphonies. These activities are attended in groups with Student Support Services staff and participants.

Exam Files--Exam files are available to assist with test taking.

To qualify, students must be first generation, (neither parent received a baccalaureate degree), low income, or have a learning or physical disability. Student Support Services is highly competitive with only 350 slots available for eligible students. Students should apply early in Garcia Annex, Room 143. Visit our web site at www.nmsu.edu/~sss/ or call (505) 646-1336.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

New Mexico State University collaborates with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education in recommending graduates of the university for programs in dentistry, graduate library studies, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, podiatry, public health, and veterinary medicine in universities of other western states. The State of New Mexico subsidizes the education of New Mexico residents when approved for training in these fields in other states. This subsidy is a loan-for-service program which permits New Mexico residents to attend state-supported institutions at in-state tuition rates and private institutions at approximately one-third the standard tuition cost if they practice in New Mexico for an equal number of years after graduation. This program is contingent upon funding by the state legislature. For further information write Certifying Officer for New Mexico, WICHE's Student Exchange Program, New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, 1068 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501-4295.

Next Section: Associate Degree Programs
Table of Contents