UNM gives new meaning to cultural diversity. Studies related to Hispanic and Native cultures are strong, and in a land of picture-perfect sunsets, photography is a big deal. Even the mascot-Lobos-is Spanish. Technical programs are fueled by government labs in Albuquerque and Los Alamos, while the business school produces an outsized percentage of New Mexico’s commercial elite.

The University of New Mexico’s heritage stretches back to 1889 when New Mexico wasn’t even a state, and the university’s strengths are still rooted in the rich history of the American Southwest. New Mexico excels in areas such as Latin American and Southwest studies. Lest you think it is a typical state school, consider that many students are commuters or of nontraditional age. UNM also boasts the state’s only law, medical, and architecture and urban planning schools.

Seated at the foot of the gorgeous Sandia Mountains in the lap of Albuquerque, the beautifully landscaped campus sports both Spanish and Pueblo Indian architectural influences, with lots of patios and balconies. The duck pond is a favorite spot for sunbathing, and the mountains, which rise majestically to the east, are visible from virtually any point on campus. Newer facilities include the $25 million McKinnon Center for Management.

UNM offers more than 4,000 courses in 12 colleges and schools, running the gamut from arts and sciences, education, and engineering to management, fine arts, and the allied health fields. Academic and general education requirements vary, but the core curriculum mandates courses in English, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and natural sciences, math, fine arts, and a second language. Those reluctant to specialize can spend a few semesters in the broad University College, which offers a bachelor of liberal arts and a bachelor of integrative studies degree. The Honors College offers a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary liberal arts. The Tamarind Institute, a nationally recognized center housed at UNM’s College of Fine Arts, offers training, study, and research in fine-art lithography. Anthropologists may explore one of New Mexico’s many archaeological sites, and engineers may join in major solar-energy projects. Other solid programs include Native American studies, Chicana and Chicano studies, and Latin American studies. Students may also minor in Navajo language.

The academic climate is “very laid-back and depends on what field of study you are going into,” according to a senior. Students are quick to help one another study, and competition for grades is the exception rather than the rule. Fifty-eight percent of classes have fewer than 20 students. As for professors, “I would have to give them a B,” says a student. “There have been some very good ones and some that were very knowledgeable but didn’t know how to teach.” Freshman Learning Communities and academic coaching help ease the transition from high school to the college environment. Many classes, and several complete degree programs, are offered in late afternoon and evening sessions, and about half of the student body takes advantage of these after-hours options. Study abroad programs in such locales as Ecuador, Greece, Mexico, and South Korea beckon to 18 percent of undergrads.

By virtue of its location, UNM enjoys a diverse mix of cultures, even though the vast majority (87 percent) of students are state residents. A large minority student enrollment-50 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Native American, 4 percent Asian American, 2 percent African American, and 4 percent multiracial-reflects this cultural diversity. Three percent of undergraduates are from overseas. UNM hosts a number of centers and student groups, such as El Centro de la Raza and Nations at UNM, that support diversity and cultural activities. “Students here are pretty chill,” says a journalism major. “We hang out and stuff, but for the most part we are focused on school.” The average merit award is more than $2,000, and athletic scholarships are available as well. Thirty-nine percent of freshmen qualify for Pell Grants.

UNM has traditionally been a commuter school (and parking is a perennial complaint), although first-year students coming from outside a 30-mile radius of campus are required to live in the residence halls. Currently, a scant 11 percent of students (including 28 percent of freshmen) live on campus. Students say they are happy with the variety of food available to them, and good lighting, an escort service, and police who patrol around the clock help them feel safe.

“Social life takes place both on and off campus,” a junior says. Alcohol, though banned from UNM residence halls, is readily available, according to most students, especially at Greek parties. Just 5 percent of the men and 6 percent of the women join the Greek system. Other students find their fun off campus in Albuquerque’s clubs and restaurants. For the more socially conscious, the college sponsors Spring Storm, an outing of roughly 1,000 students who volunteer around the city on a Saturday. Annual social events include Welcome Back Days in the fall and Nizhoni Days, a weeklong celebration of Native American culture. Each spring, the whole campus turns out for a four-day fiesta with food and live music.

Albuquerque-sometimes referred to as ABQ-is New Mexico’s largest city, and it offers a variety of cultural attractions, including the nation’s largest hot air balloon festival, a growing artists’ colony, and concert tours to charm the ears. Santa Fe is an hour away. Those with cars take advantage of the state’s natural attractions: the Sandias, the Carlsbad Caverns, superb skiing in Taos, as well as excellent hiking and camping opportunities. For the historically inclined, numerous Spanish and Native American ruins are within an easy drive.

The UNM Lobos (Spanish for “wolves”) compete in the Division I Mountain West Conference, and the men’s football and basketball squads usually draw crowds. The women’s cross-country team has won two national championships in recent years. As a cost-saving measure, the university recently cut four varsity sports: men’s and women’s skiing, men’s soccer, and women’s beach volleyball. Recreational and intramural sports are popular; students flock to flag football, volleyball, soccer, and basketball.

UNM offers a sun-drenched location that satisfies-precisely because its academic climate is as relaxed as the rolling desert dunes. “People here are serious and accepting,” says a senior, “which makes UNM a comfortable environment.”

-Fiske Guide