Ethnic centers provide help for first-generation students

Editor,

I am writing as a very concerned student regarding some of the proposed Legislative budget cuts being proposed for the upcoming fiscal year. Some of the programs slated to have their budgets slashed have been ones that have supported and enabled me to continue my education at UNM, and others have done the same for countless other students.

For example, El Centro de la Raza's budget has a proposed cut of 39.2 percent. The reduction would result in the elimination of half of El Centro's staff, thus leaving the center with absolutely no advisers for students to utilize. During my time at UNM, El Centro has been a valuable source of support and mentorship for me. It was also instrumental in facilitating my return to UNM (after a six-year hiatus) to complete my bachelor's degree. Without the staff and services offered by El Centro, I and many other students would not have the opportunities that have been afforded us.

The Legislative budget for African-American Student Services is also up for a huge cut: 100 percent. Both of the AASS programs that were put into the UNM Legislative budget are slated to be cut completely. The ramifications of the proposed funding loss would be detrimental to many students who rely on its services for continued success.

My place of work is also on the chopping block. Since May 2008, I have worked for College Prep Programs under the Department of College Enrichment and Outreach Programs in the Division of Student Affairs. One of our programs, College Prep Mentoring, is also slated to be cut completely. This would mean that hundreds of high school students would lose their mentoring and tutoring programs, and close to a dozen residential summer camps would be cut. In all, more than 1,000 New Mexico first-generation/low-income students would lose vital services that the state is not currently providing in its schools.

It has become crystal clear that the only way that we can change any of this is to step up and approach the Legislature directly. On Feb. 2, ASUNM and GPSA will provide free Rail Runner passes for students to go to the Legislature and lobby for us. It is time for all Lobos to unite and fight for these and other programs that are vital to many students' academic success. I encourage all UNM students to join us on the trip and to do their part in fighting this fight. The Program for New Mexico Graduates of Color is spearheading a letter-writing, e-mail and postcard campaign to further our efforts to ensure that these programs remain a part of UNM for years to come. Postcards will be available as of Jan. 29 at the World Student Alliance table in the SUB, the PNMGC office, the GPSA office, all ethnic centers, the College Enrichment Program front desk and at tables in the SUB next week run by various student organizations. Please, do all you can to help ensure student success through continued legislative funding.

Tim Serna

UNM student