Editor,
Some people might think the GPSA election is not important, and therefore, campaign reporting in this election is pointless. This could not be farther from the truth.
Martin Gutierrez will not be funneling millions to his buddies if he wins, but he can impact UNM. The regents are angry at Lissa Knudsen because she is working with faculty and staff to change directions at UNM, and a new direction is desperately needed. UNM needs a person who will follow the graduate and professional students at UNM.
The stats department has collapsed and other departments are in danger. Two statistics faculty members resigned because UNM is moving money for faculty compensation to other activates. Now there are not enough faculty to teach courses that graduate students in statistics need to finish their program. When members of the faculty are forced to find a new job, it has a tremendous impact on students, especially if the faculty member is on a student’s committee.
Martin said he plans to work with the administration. Does he plan to work with them to cut more faculty? We need to know if his money comes from the admin or the regents. This will let us know who he owes if he wins the office. Follow the money and you will know who he follows.
Lissa Knudsen has worked with faculty to invest in academics and research. She will not do the regents bidding. She has held and will continue to hold the regents accountable.
Pay to play can come in the form of a job after graduation.
The regents (or their friends) give money to Martin. He keeps the funds hidden. He wins the election. He does the admins bidding. He gets a job when he graduates. Pay to play. This is not farfetched. A former ASUNM pres is now working at UNM after he made a deal with the regents.
Martin is not fit for the job if he does not release his financial statement. Hell, he is not fit for the job because he needed public pressure to tell us he plans to release them.
Dolores Garcia
Former graduate student
