UNM has record-breaking number of spring 2017 graduates
Approximately 3,900 students will become “Lobos For Life” on Saturday when they stand before their loved ones to receive their diplomas, breaking the record for UNM’s graduating class.
For the sixth year in a row, UNM’s graduation rate has continued to grow—the number of students graduating in four years is expected to increase 66 percent since the 2010-2011 school year, when the four-year graduation rate was at 15 percent. The University’s six-year graduation rate has also increased and breaks the record at just under 50 percent.
Acting president Chaouki Abdallah accredits the rise to the University’s ability to provide freshmen with the resources they need to ease into college.
A graduating student told KOAT he will be sticking around and attending graduate school at UNM, because the University provided him with the right tools to graduate on time.
The commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 13 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Pit for graduate, baccalaureate and associate's degrees. During the single ceremony to honor all graduates from all departments, there will be 361 doctoral degrees; 610 master’s degrees; 2,731 bachelor’s degrees and 260 associate’s degrees.
The ceremony will be live-streamed and available later on the UNM Facebook page.
Indecent Exposure on Snapchat with UNM geotag
An obscene video was found under a search for UNM on Snapchat Monday of a man in a library exposing himself while being filmed.
The app uses geotagging to group pictures and videos taken within a close proximity to a certain location, and users can then search that location.
The Snapchat story was geotagged to UNM’s main campus, but it is unclear if the video was filmed at the University or somewhere nearby. It is also unclear if the subject in the video is a student.
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Officials said in a statement to KRQE News this is a situation they have never dealt with before.
“I was pretty taken aback,” Cinnamon Blair, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer told KRQE.
“I can’t say for sure if it was one of our students or if it was on our campus, but it was definitely within the vicinity of campus,” she said.
KRQE reported that University representatives have reported the video to UNMPD, and the dean of students is also investigating the issue.
If the subject in the video is found to be a student, he could face disciplinary action.
The video has since been removed from the UNM Snapchat geotag.
La Po closing during summer for renovations
UNM’s dining hall, La Posada, will be closed for the summer, beginning Saturday, May 13 in order to complete major renovations.
The project is expected to cause minimal noise and disruption for students attending summer classes, UNM Newsroom reports.
“Several features, including: a new entrance, a chef innovation station, flooring, lighting, HVAC system and mechanical upgrades, are all part of the renovation,” said Tim Backes, associate director of UNM Dining & Food Services.
The dining hall is expected to reopen on August 19, before students return in August for the fall semester.
The new entrance will be safer, more accessible and open to a newly renovated plaza inside, where there will be a kiosk offering Einstein’s Bagels, Starbucks, updated soda machines and fresh desserts.
The chef innovation station will offer prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as late night items. The salad bar will also receive an upgrade, and both stations will be open 24/7.
The stations students can expect to stick around are: Grill Nation, American Classics, the Press (for paninis and sandwiches), Papa John’s Pizza, and Red Mango Frozen Drinks and Yogurt. The New Mexican-themed station will also remain unchanged.
Vegetarian options will also be expanded, and there will be a new station dedicated to serving students and guests with food allergies and sensitivities.
For students staying on campus during the summer, a modified summer meal plan will be available. Students can use their meal plans at the Union Club Monday through Friday and at the Corner Store seven days a week, where hot to-go items in addition to grab-and-go sandwiches and salads will be offered.
There will also be a pop-up dining hall behind Wise Pies in the Student Union Building offering a wide variety of items.
The summer door rate without a meal plan is $9.50 plus tax (includes faculty and staff) and $6.25 plus tax with a meal plan (meaning, Dining Dollars).
Celia Raney is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Celia_Raney.
