The Associated Students of UNM, the University’s undergraduate governing body, held its first full senate meeting of the semester with 2015-2016 Vice President Alex Cervantes presiding. Here are the big things you need to know.
Fresh faces
The meeting began with the swearing in of two new senators, replacements for two who were voted in but couldn’t resume ASUNM duties due to scheduling conflicts, said Vice President Alex Cervantes.
They are Jordan Allen, a junior business major, and Arely Guerrero, a sophomore criminology major. Allen and Guerrero were the two candidates in the spring ASUNM elections with the next highest vote totals who did not win election at the time.
Coming Soon
Lisa Marbury of Institutional Support Services laid out the priorities for UNM future projects and building renovations. In order of priority, they are: the physics and astronomy building, Anderson School of Management, Smith Plaza/Union Square, Johnson Center, and the Children’s Campus/Child Care.
“These are student priorities, that’s how we present them to the state,” Marbury said.
There are renovations and expansion planned for four of the facilities, while there will be an entirely new physics and astronomy building on a site across form Yale Mall from Castetter Hall.
“I am 99 percent confident that we will get this site,” Marbury said.
There will be an forum open to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and Thursday, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the SUB Atrium, where students are invited to come give their opinions about the projects.
IT Innovations
Moira Gerety of University IT services also gave a presentation at the meeting over technology updates and planned refurbishing from that department.
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These are the most important things Gerety mentioned that students should know about:
Improvement on wi-fi is ongoing, with estimates on financials being made for upgrading the wireless service in Mitchell Hall as well as Dane Smith classrooms.
The third annual Mobile App Contest is being prepared. Registration is open until Oct. 31, and there is over $10,000 in prize money.
UNM is evaluating options that would allow faculty members to text their students whenever class is cancelled.
myUNM is being “re-envisioned” to have a new look, including a polished interface, search improvements and, for the first time, personalization capabilities.
Gerety explained that IT’s initiatives are made first and foremost with the students in mind.
“We want to invest primarily in the common good. When we invest in something, we want to invest in something that serves a lot of students,” she said.
Help Wanted
Sen. Brad Sedillo said that the Elections Commission is still in need of staff.
Nine commissioners total are needed, yet only two have applied, Sedillo said. As a result, the deadline has been pushed back for a third time to Sept. 4.
According to a post on the Elections Commission’s facebook page, “commissioners are required to run all undergraduate student elections and ensure that the election process is fair and organized.” Stipends are given to commissioners at the end of each semester.
Anyone interested in applying can do so at asunm.unm.edu.
David Lynch is a news editor at the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @RealDavidLynch.
