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Academic offerings are grouped into seven divisions. Associate Deans’, acting under the Dean, exercise close supervision over course content and instructional procedures. The divisions are Humanities, including art, English, foreign languages, communications, philosophy, and music; Natural Sciences and Mathematics, including biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics; Social Sciences, Business Administration, and Security Studies, including criminal justice, business, political science, history, sociology, psychology and computer concepts; the Student Assistance Center including academic advising and college placement along with cadet counseling; Toles Learning Center, including the Library, Writing Center and other state of the art learning resource resources; Health, Physical Education and Recreation; and Military Science. The Military Science Division offers senior (college) ROTC programs operated by active duty and noncommissioned officers of the Department of the Army. The Junior ROTC Department also offers leadership courses for the high school.
Courses are offered leading to the high school diploma, associate in science and the associate in arts degree. Preprofessional curricula at the college level addresses concentration areas and specializations.
The Institute’s high school academic program is identified by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement as “College Preparatory.” The Institute does not offer vocational-technical programs.
Authority in Academic Affairs
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The Academic Dean, aided by the Vice Dean/High School Principal, has final authority in academic matters pertaining to high school and college cadets.
Academic Requirements and Policies
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New Mexico Military Institute is first and foremost a strong academic institution. The policies in the academic area are designed to underscore this fact to maintain the strong reputation of the degrees and diplomas held by NMMI graduates. Failure to meet minimum academic standards can lead to suspension.
Honor Code/Academic Forgiveness
The normal repeat policy for NMMI is to grant credit only for the highest grade. However, if a cadet taking a college course is found in violation of the honor code by cheating, the cadet will receive a grade awarded by the instructor (normally an “F” grade) for that course. Any repeat of that course will be assigned both grades (no academic forgiveness) for the GPA. Thus a cadet may receive both the “F” and any subsequent letter grade earned.
All NMMI cadets are required to reside in the barracks.
NMMI enrolls a number of cadets who also drill with New Mexico National Guard and reserve units making them eligible for Chapter 1606 VA benefits. NMMI also grants credit for basic and advanced training, and for certain MOS training applicable to NMMI coursework. Chapter 30, 35 and 1607 benefits are also available.
J. Penrod Toles Learning Center
Opened in 1985, this modern facility combines the traditional architecture of the campus with modern functions, esthetics, and technology. As a focal point of the Institute’s academic life, the Learning Center is the home of the Paul Horgan Library, Franklin Student Assistance Center, Writing Center, and Information Services.
For more information and an introduction to our resources, please visit the Library’s website: http://www.nmmi.edu/library/
Writing Center
The Writing Center provides assistance to every cadet who needs assistance with his/her writing. Cadets learn about the writing process and receive instructions on how to improve their writing skills. They receive instruction on any part of the writing task - from planning to write to checking on correct grammar and usage conventions. The center is open during night study hall, and in the mornings from 0715 to 0750.
Franklin Student Assistance Center
The Franklin Student Assistance Center, located in the J. Penrod Toles Learning Center, houses the Academic Advising and College Placement Department, the Career Lab, and the High School Principal’s office. The Division serves as a focal point for all high school academic advising, career development and testing information. Additionally the Cadet Counseling Center, staffed by licensed counselors and the NMMI chaplain, provides personal and crisis counseling and handles referrals made by advisors and/or other faculty and staff. The Career Lab houses an extensive collection of college catalogs, viewbooks and brochures, college videos, testing information, test preparation programs and applications as well as several computers and printers connected to the Web for online applications and searches. The Career Lab Coordinator assists cadets with applications online, searches using the “ACT’s DISCOVER” college, career and financial aid search web based software, and with print media.
Academic Advising and College Placement
New Mexico Military Institute has a centralized advising system for high school cadets located in the Franklin Student Assistance Center (SAC), and a faculty advising system for college cadets. A system of developmental advising is implemented for high school cadets whereby the advisor assists through a series of advising sessions the cadet in identifying personal and educational goals. Beginning in the Sixth Class year, advisors introduce cadets to time management and study skills, goal-setting and interest inventories, advancing to the Fifth Class to begin standardized test taking with the mandatory PLAN test. The Fourth Class begins the college planning process, identification of potential majors and search for appropriate colleges. Additionally, juniors take the PSAT, ACT, TOEFL and SAT, if desired. College plans and applications are finalized in the Third Class year culminating in final college choices, applications, scholarship searches and final testing.
Each cadet is assigned an academic advisor upon enrollment at New Mexico Military Institute. Each high school advisor/counselor is responsible for one high school grade level, moving progressively with that class from sixth class to graduation. Advising of college cadets is coordinated through SAC.
Academic Advisors work closely with Troop Officers to mentor council, advise and advocate for the cadets, establishing a rapport and a caring attitude toward them and providing support for them as they learn to deal with the obligations in academics and in the Corps of Cadets, as well as the pressures of being away from home. Academic Advisors act as a resource person providing information on a myriad of topics such as course requirements, learning resources, job markets and selection of colleges after NMMI. They are a liaison between the parents and the teaching faculty, Commandant’s Office and Counseling Center to help assure that the cadet is given every avenue available to succeed. Finally, they coordinate preparation of the cadet’s graduation plans and provide guidance to the cadet in the achievement of individuals academic goals.
Specialists in personal counseling and academic guidance and counseling are available to all cadets. They provide cadets with career and educational information as well as administer and interpret achievement tests and interest inventories. The New Mexico Military Institute serves as a regional test center for Educational Testing Service’s testing programs (PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, GRE. TOEFL AND CLEP) and the American College Testing Program. (PLAN and ACT). The Student Assistance Center maintains these regularly updated materials for cadet use: general and specialized college guides and directories, a computerized “ACT’s DISCOVER” program on colleges, careers and financial aid; college catalogs and view books, books and pamphlets; video cassette materials; general and specialized financial aid guides and directories; college admissions and recruiting materials; admission application materials for schools regularly attended by New Mexico Military Institute graduates; and specialized guidance materials for preparation for professions.
In the library and associated with the advising center is the NMMI Liaison for the service academies. This individual works with cadets who desire to transfer to the five service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, and USNA)
Cadet Counseling Center
The Cadet Counseling Center (CCC) provides cadets advice, counsel, and encouragement in the areas of human interaction, interpersonal relationships, personal growth, spiritual growth, social awareness, and intellectual achievement. It provides cadets with a person who will listen and give feedback on a wide variety of issues.
The personnel of the CCC help the cadets deal with family matters, roommate problems, tobacco/alcohol involvement, homesickness, personal attitude, Corps life, authority, ethical/moral issues, depression, anxiety, eating problems, isolation, conformity to discipline and basic adjustment problems. If the cadet needs more specialized or longterm counseling than the Cadet Counseling Center can provide, referrals are made to appropriate medical, legal or social professionals at the Cadet’s expense. Psychiatric services are not available through the CCC.
The CCC is part of the Commandant’s Crisis Action Team, a team of various professionals who work together in the event of a crisis. They also are available to counsel cadets in the case of death in the family, loss of home to fire, or various other crises which may arise.
The CCC staff maintains close cooperation and coordination with the Academic Advisors, Commandant’s staff which includes the Deputy Commandants for Operations and Support, Squadron Officers and most importantly Troop Officers, Staff and Faculty, and Cadet Regimental Staff in addressing concerns of the cadet’s educational, social, and personal development.
Each week the CCC staff, the Commandant, and the Deans meet or exchange information to identify ways to help cadets succeed.
ACT/SAT Program
NMMI offers an ACT/SAT preparatory program each semester. These courses give the cadet a knowledge base as well as the opportunity to develop skills used in the testing process. The courses cover ACT/SAT test content, test-taking techniques and concentrates on practice tests in order to make the cadet more comfortable and familiar with the examination process.
College Level Examination (CLEP)
College credit is allowed for successfully completing the various CLEP tests. CLEP credit may be transferred to the Institute to meet graduation requirements, although the Institute does not use CLEP scores in computing a cadet’s grade point average. A cadet must attain a CLEP mean scale score equivalent to a final course grade of “A” or “B” on a scale published by the College Entrance Board. Credit for CLEP General Examinations will be awarded if the cadet attains a “B” grade. English Composition with Essay is the only CLEP General Examination that will generate credit for the NMMI courses English 1113 and/or English 1123. CLEP SCORES As posted on the College Board web site. Some courses NMMI does not accept for transfer credit. See the CLEP administrator or Registrar for current passing scores and transfer.
Challenge Examinations
With the Academic Dean’s approval, a cadet may challenge a course offered at NMMI. If successfully challenged, usually by passing a test prepared by the academic department concerned, credit for the course will be shown on the transcript. Challenge actions are initiated by the cadet with the approval of the head of the appropriate academic department. A $35.00 fee for the challenge examination will be required in accordance with current Board of Regents’ policies. Challenge examination results are reported on a “Credit” or “No Credit” basis on the transcript. Challenge credits do not affect grade point averages. Neither challenge nor CLEP credits satisfy minimum load requirements to maintain cadet status. A challenge exam may not be attempted if the cadet has already received a grade for the attempted course, nor during the last three weeks of a semester without special permission.
NMMI is aware that physical fitness builds minds as well as bodies. Therefore, participation either through physical education classes, intramural sports, or other sponsored sports is required of all cadets each semester of attendance at NMMI.
Health, Physical Education and Recreation division offers activities such as: tennis, golf, bowling, racquetball, swimming, backpacking, pickle ball, free weights, and nautilus. They also offer many academic classes such as water safety instruction, foundations in physical education and sports, introduction to recreation, and fundamentals of athletic training.
New Mexico Military Institute participates in varsity sports in both the high school and junior college divisions. As members of the National Junior College Athletic Association, the junior college teams compete with other colleges in football, basketball, golf, tennis, baseball, and volleyball.
The high school varsity teams are members of the New Mexico Activities Association and participate at the AAA level of competition. Varsity teams are sponsored in the areas of football, basketball, track, soccer, volleyball, swimming, golf, tennis, baseball, wrestling, track, and cross country.
Corps of Cadets/Commandant
The Honor Code and Honor System of the Corps of Cadets at NMMI belong to the Corps of Cadets but operate under the sanction of the Commandant of Cadets. Simply stated: A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do. Every cadet is obligated to support and enforce the honor system. Violations of the code may result in serious disciplinary action, suspension or dismissal based on the recommendations of the Cadet Honor Board/Committee as finally determined by the Commandant of Cadets. New cadets are fully trained in all aspects of the honor system, and prospective cadets are encouraged to consider carefully the implications of non-toleration before joining the Corps.
The normal repeat policy for NMMI is to grant credit only for the highest grade. However, if a cadet taking a college course is found in violation of the honor code by cheating, the cadet will receive a grade awarded by the instructor (normally an “F” grade) for that course. Any repeat of that course will be assigned both grades (no academic forgiveness) for the GPA. Thus a cadet may receive both the “F” and any subsequent letter grade earned.
A furlough is the time a cadet may leave NMMI to go home. Furloughs are directly related to activities, grades or deportment. A cadet whose grades or deportment fall below a “C” average loses his or her furlough privilege. Furloughs are taken only on specific weekends designated by the Commandant of Cadets. The three major furloughs during which all cadets may leave NMMI for more than three days are the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring breaks. Dormitories are closed during these extended breaks.
Confidentiality of Student Records (FERPA)
Student records are released only for use by faculty and professional staff for authorized academic-related purposes. The release of student records for off-campus use occurs only with a student’s knowledge and consent, or when required by law.
A student’s high school record is open for inspection by the student’s parents or guardians. College students fall under FERPA regulations and can limit access to their record as specified in federal law. Financially, New Mexico Military Institute considers all students, whose parents provide any portion of their expenses, as “dependent” as defined by Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Section 152 (for form 1098s). The cadet must provide proof of “independent” status to the Registrar prior to the start of the third academic week. College cadets must elect whether or not their grades go to their parents.
The Registrar is the custodian of the student’s academic record. A student’s academic record may include application for admission information, residency certificate, immunization certificate, date of school entry, student schedules and schedule changes, academic work completed, standardized achievement test scores, transcripts from previous schools attended, and various Veteran’s Administration forms.
Public information which may be released upon request includes a student’s name, local address, telephone number, date and place of birth, area of concentration, dates of attendance, height, weight, scholastic and/or athletic achievement, degree (if any), previous schools attended and date of graduation. If a student does not wish for this public information to be released, he/she must so notify the Registrar during the first two weeks of classes in each semester. This is normally done during matriculation.
Cadets have the right to inspect and review their educational records within 45 days of the date of their request, but must specify which educational records. They also have the right to request amendment of the records they believe to be in error. They also have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education if they determine their rights have been violated. The address for such complaints is at the Registrar’s Office.
Name Changes
Name changes are only accepted with proper legal/court documents. NMMI will add the changed name to the transcript with the original name to track such changes.
Transcripts and transcript requests
Transcript requests must be in writing. For cadets over 18 or enrolled in college work, the request must come from the individual whose name is on the transcript. Parents may request transcripts on high school cadets who are not enrolled in college. Transcript requests may be printed from the web at the registrar web site - http://www.nmmi.edu/reg/ or by following links from the NMMI home page.
Class Attendance
Attendance at all scheduled classes is mandatory and considered essential to the discipline and education of each cadet. For each unexcused absence from class, the cadet will receive tours and demerits. A cadet with more than 10 unexcused absences in an academic year is subject to suspension.
Class Drop-Add Procedures
Cadets may add classes through the first two weeks of a semester.
Cadets who wish to drop a course must initiate the drop with the academic advisor. High school cadet drops are then routed through course instructor to the Associate Dean, the Principal and then forwarded to the Registrar.
The last day for cadets to drop a class with a (W) is the Friday of the 10th week of classes.
Night Study Hall
NMMI has a Night Study Hall program for all cadets.
Grades/Grading System
NMMI’s grading system is a 4.0 system with no extra credit given for honors or advanced placement courses. Grades with a “T” or “D” prefix are special grades for either transfer work (TA, TB, etc.) or deportment (DA, DB, DC, etc.). Transfer grades will show on transcripts, however, deportment grades will only show on report cards.
| A-, A, A+ |
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Excellent (90-100) |
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4.00 |
| B-, B, B+ |
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Above Average (80-89) |
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3.00 |
| C-, C, C+ |
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Average (70-79) |
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2.00 |
| D-, D, D+ |
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Below Average (60-69) |
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1.00 |
| F |
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Failing |
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0.00 |
| W |
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Withdrawn |
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| WP |
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Withdrawn while passing |
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| WF |
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Withdrawn while failing |
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0.00 |
| I |
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Incomplete (semester grade) |
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(I) must be made up within one semester after awarded or they become grades of “F. |
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| S |
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Satisfactory |
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| P |
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Pass |
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| TR |
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Transfer grade credits that count towards total credits earned not GPA credits |
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| TA, TB, etc. |
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High School transfer grades used to indicate the grade transferred from another school and factored into GPA. Same as letter grade |
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Same as letter grade |
| DA, DB, etc. |
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Letter grade for deportment as in DA, DB, etc. |
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Cadets may retake a course in an attempt to raise a grade. If a higher grade is made the second time the course is taken, the lower grade is removed from the overall GPA but remains on the transcript. However, credit hours may not be awarded twice for the same course.
Residency and Residency Requirements
Enrollment at NMMI is in itself not sufficient to change residency, and NMMI will classify a cadet based on his/her residency at the time of admission. Per state law, any action which will bring into question residency must be resolved by the Registrar.
An individual is considered a resident if he/she has lived in New Mexico for over one year (with property). An individual may become a resident of New Mexico through certain steps, but must complete those steps and one year residency before the cadet status changes to resident from nonresident.
Legal residency is the person’s permanent home, which requires a physical presence coupled with an intent to remain and make that location/state one’s permanent home. One only has one residence at a time, and retains the former residence until all items are met in the new residence.
At the time of first enrollment, residency is determined by the census date and anyone not meeting residency requirements will be classified as a nonresident. An individual’s classification remains as determined at first enrollment, as long as he/she is a continuing cadet, unless the registrar’s office has knowledge of a circumstance calling for a reclassification.
Requirements to establish NM residency are:
- Twelve month residence in New Mexico (consecutive).
- Financial independence to establish residency.
- Written declaration of intent to relinquish residency in any other state.
- Overt Acts (at least two of these items):
- If employed, employment within New Mexico
- Payment of NM income taxes
- NM drivers’ license
- NM vehicle registration
- NM voter registration
- No act inconsistent with being a NM resident, e.g., voting in another state
Course numbering system
All NMMI high school courses are numbers from 001 to 099. All NMMI junior college courses are numbered from 100 to 2999 and are “lower level” college courses designed to meet basic college educational requirements. NMMI is undergoing conversion to the New Mexico Common Course Numbering System over the next two years. NMMI currently links NMMI course numbers to the NMCCN, but will use the NMCCN whenever possible. College courses so renumbered will have four characters and four numbers assigned by level, course sequence and credits awarded as in ENGL 1113.
Graduation Procedures
The semester prior to graduation, after scheduling starts for their final semester a cadet must apply for graduation. Those planning to graduate must signup at that time. All graduates are expected to participate in the graduation exercise unless specifically excused by the Academic Dean.
Midyear graduates may participate in graduation exercises if they desire. If they do so, they must appear in the designated military uniform with approved appearance standards.
Graduates who have attained certain levels of academic excellence will be recognized in the graduation exercises according to the following scale:
| Graduation with Highest Honors |
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3.75-4.00 |
| Graduation with High Honors |
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3.50-3.74 |
| Graduation with Honors |
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3.25-3.49 |
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