UNM provost pushing for honors college

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Establishing an honors college at the University of New Mexico comes with a hefty price tag but school officials say it would be worth it.

Interim provost Chaouki Abdallah says the new college would cost a minimum $80 million but would elevate the university's academic status and improve graduation rates.

He tells the Albuquerque Journal the honors college would have its own dean, full-time faculty and student residences and offer degrees.

Abdallah hopes to have a draft done by May, a regents' decision in the fall and see the opening of the college in two years.

Among the expenses UNM would face are new facilities for residence halls, classroom space, advisement and administrative offices, lounges and social areas.