UNM takes heat on push for higher admission standards

By Megan ArredondoTribune ReporterMay 14, 2005
Students, faculty and community leaders voiced concerns about a plan to raise admission standards at the University of New Mexico main campus.
The Board of Regents listened to public input for nearly an hour before starting their meeting Friday.
President Louis Caldera presented the proposal, which he said would "raise the bar" while maintaining a commitment to excellence and diversity.
"We want students to succeed," Caldera said.
Low retention and graduation rates prompted the re-evaluation of admission standards. Part of this was attributed to the number of students admitted to UNM despite deficiencies in math, reading and writing. In 1996, 28 students deficient in all three subjects were admitted, and none has graduated.
The university's six-year graduation rate as of 2004 was 40 percent, which is not acceptable, Caldera said.
Part of the university's plan includes administering a standardized test to identify those who are not ready for a college-level course load.
The test, known as the Computer Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System, is believed to be a more thorough assessment of a student's level of preparation, Caldera said.
Caldera is proposing that students who show three deficiencies on the test will be placed on a deferred admission status until they address at least one of the deficiencies. However, students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class or having a 3.9 grade point average would be directly admitted.

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