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Senate committee backs $10.5M-era plan to build New Mexico online university hub
Summary
The Senate Education Committee approved a substitute to create a statewide online-hub run initially by NMSU Global, aiming to help seven public universities expand online offerings and keep revenue in-state; sponsors said the appropriation would be recurring for up to three years and come from the GROW fund.
Senator Richard Muñoz introduced a committee substitute to create a New Mexico-wide online hub and the Senate Education Committee voted to give the substitute a do‑pass recommendation. The sponsor said the substitute appropriates start‑up dollars to NMSU Global to stand up an online hub that will work in collaboration with all seven state universities.
The proposal would fund a statewide hub to support university-led online programs, according to Senator Muñoz. He said the state previously invested “$10,500,000” to launch NMSU’s online program and that the new hub would be modeled to keep revenue within New Mexico instead of sending margins to out‑of‑state online program managers.
Supporters from higher education testified in committee that the seven university presidents have been working together since December on an inter‑institutional approach. Mark Svedro of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents said the presidents “have been working together since December to discuss this, bringing folks within the institutions together to decide how we're going to… establish the New Mexico online hub.” Mike Pulley of the University of New Mexico and a registered lobbyist for Highlands University, Robert Romero, also voiced institutional support.
Committee members asked how the hub would operate alongside existing institutional systems and whether it would be an OPM (online program manager) or a shared services hub. Sponsor and witnesses said academic control and accreditation would remain with each university and that services would be tailored to institutional needs — for example, marketing or retention support — rather than a single platform for all campuses. The sponsor emphasized that the hub’s design would allow each university to retain its own programs and revenue streams.
Members also questioned the funding source and timeline. The sponsor told the committee the appropriation would be covered from the GROW fund and that the intent was to set aside recurring funds over a three‑year start‑up window so institutions could become self‑sustaining. Senator Ezell pressed on whether the substitute would be a recurring expense; the sponsor replied the standing‑up period was expected to be three years and that institutions could become profitable by year three.
The committee substitute drew questions about community colleges and whether the hub would conflict with their mission; the sponsor and witnesses said community colleges remain focused on in‑person and workforce training but could be eligible to use hub services for online classes.
The committee voted to give the substitute a do‑pass recommendation.
Implementation details — including procurement, metrics, and the exact amount and timing of appropriations — were described as subject to the substitute’s language and future administrative decisions. Several senators urged careful oversight to ensure the hub benefits smaller institutions that may need more start‑up support.
The measure will move forward from the committee toward the next legislative steps.
