2.44 Associated Students of New Mexico State University (“ASNMSU”)

A. Recognition and Role

The Board of Regents recognizes the Associated Students of New Mexico State University (ASNMSU) as an official representative body authorized to speak for and on behalf the students enrolled at New Mexico State University on matters of concern relating to student life and university business.  The President of ASNMSU serves as an advisory member of the Board of the Regents. ASNMSU is authorized to establish and maintain a student government to achieve its mission as the representative of the students, and to offer services and benefits for students as ASNMSU deems proper and advisable, subject to budgetary restrictions.

B. Membership

All students who are enrolled in programs at the NMSU Las Cruces campus and who pay the ASNMSU Fee are members of ASNMSU.

C. Operational Responsibilities

ASNMSU is a university department with respect to its authority and its obligation to abide by university policies, and administrative rules and processes, particularly with respect to the expenditure of funds provided to ASNMSU, whether through appropriations, tuition or student fees.  The university administration will appoint appropriate staff members to advise, guide and provide oversight for ASNMU activities, including designation of the NMSU staff position authorized to take appropriate administrative action necessary to comply with university policies, rules and procedures.

D. Other Student Organizations

ASNMSU will work with the university administration to establish criteria and a process to grant official recognition to student organizations at NMSU. Such organizations will be referred to as chartered student organizations.

E. Scholarships for Student Leadership

Subject to budgetary limitations, the university administration is authorized to establish paid employment positions and scholarships for students selected for and serving in leadership roles within ASNMSU or serving as the student regent. Scholarships awarded will be subject to the policies, procedures and rules governing financial aid awards administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services. Employment of students to serve the needs of ASNMSU will be subject to the university’s HR rules and procedures.

F. Student Club Financial Accounts and Endowment

The university administration (Administration and Finance) is authorized to establish internally held financial accounts (“agency accounts”) for chartered student organizations.  University administration is also authorized to maintain the ASNMSU endowment at the New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc. and to allocate a portion of required fees toward the endowment each semester.  Earnings distributed from the endowment will be maintained in the ASNMSU Club Endowment and may be allocated by the legislative branch of the ASNMSU student government for use by chartered student organizations and by other NMSU course participants to assist with related expenses (e.g. competitions representing NMSU) for the benefit of students, as ASNMSU’s legislative body may deem appropriate.