This summer, New Mexico State University was approved to participate as an institution of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) after the state of New Mexico joined the initiative in May. Vermont and Wyoming also joined 20 other states as members of SARA.
According to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, “SARA is a nationwide initiative of states that will make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines and make it easier for states to regulate and institutions to participate in interstate distance education.”
“Joining SARA will allow NMSU to connect with Aggies across the country who want to continue their education with us while living outside of New Mexico,” said Daniel J. Howard, NMSU executive vice president and provost.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department serves as the state agency for SARA and provides oversight of the postsecondary educational institutions offering education from a physical location in the state through distance education. In addition to NMSU, Western New Mexico University, Central New Mexico Community College, Clovis Community College and San Juan College are also SARA institutions in New Mexico.
Prior to NMSU operating under SARA, the New Mexico legislature passed SB 446, Interstate Distance Education Act, in March and Gov. Susana Martinez signed it into law in April. NMSU submitted paperwork to the NMHED in May and received notification in June of acceptance into the program.
For more information visit http://nc-sara.org/states/nm.
Information from NMSU