On March 11, Associated Students at the University of New Mexico presidential candidates Andrew Norton and Mutazz (Tazz) Jaber participated in a debate hosted by the UNM College Democrats.
Vice presidential candidate and Finance Chair Hope Montoya, who is running unopposed, gave a speech supporting Norton’s vision for ASUNM.
The candidates discussed food, housing, safety and the role of athletics on campus.
Candidate initiatives
Jaber, who is the current ASUNM vice president, endorsed several initiatives he plans to implement if elected president, including a digital LoboCard, a safety plan for housing, increased parking, and the protection of diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
The digital LoboCard would not replace the physical card but would reduce the financial burden of losing the cards, Jaber said after the debate.
“I've lost six IDs. That's $35 each time you lose one and replace it,” Jaber said. “That's an insane amount of money. Students live paycheck to paycheck. That's a meal.”
Jaber said he spoke with the president of New Mexico State University, which has already implemented a similar system, and that he plans to advocate for this with President Garnett Stokes.
Norton endorsed initiatives to expand a governmental action committee to have student voices in government and raise money for UNM to reduce tuition.
“If we can get the money there, then they don't have to raise your tuition. If we can get the money there, then we can make sure we have all these things that we want,” Norton said. “But it stems from the original problem, which is that we can't even afford the things we want if we don't have the governmental affairs department working at its max capacity.”
Food and housing security
To address food insecurity on campus, Norton plans to “bring in” Greek organizations and resource centers, which interact with students more often than the food pantry does, he said.
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Norton said the food pantry should give food supplies, backpacks and clothing to the dorms, Greek houses and resource centers so they can distribute them to students.
Norton supports featuring available and safe off-campus apartment complexes on the ASUNM website to help inform students of housing opportunities.
To improve food security on campus, Jaber plans to uplift the Lobo Food Pantry and to work with food distributors to bring down food prices. Aramark is the new food distributor for UNM and is in charge of the dining hall and Student Union Building, he said.
“I really want to advocate to uplift and push for more affordable food,” Jaber said.
Campus safety
Jaber advocated for the creation of a “comprehensive safety plan” as a joint initiative between the UNM Police Department, the Albuquerque Police Department and students. He also said his current administration has been working to implement the LoboLift project, a service that would provide transportation for students in the evenings via golf carts driven by other students.
Funding for the project was allocated to ASUNM in 2023 as part of a $1.65 million package from the state for UNM to improve campus security with key card locks, additional security cameras and other security measures, according to UNM Newsroom.
Norton proposed adding fences around campus to increase student security, as well as making improvements to outdoor lighting.
Jaber disagreed, saying fencing would bring UNM closer to being a “private campus.”
“This is a community hub, so I’m not very for that,” Jaber said.
During public comment, Norton said the goal was not to close off all of campus but to install certain fencing around high-risk locations.
“We're leaving sidewalks open,” Norton said. "We're leaving roads open. We're not looking to lock down campus."
Athletics improvement
During the debate, moderators said “a lot of students” agreed that the athletics department receives too much funding and is “lacking results.” Moderators asked the candidates whether they plan on improving athletics.
In response, Norton affirmed the men’s basketball team’s success and said he plans to improve athletics by involving athletes in more UNM events.
“Realistically, what's going to be possible for ASUNM? Is it going to be cutting their funds?” Norton asked. “No, it's not. It's getting them to be more involved in the stuff we do here.”
Jaber said he supports amplifying athletics, but said there is a need to support resource centers at UNM.
“Why are we focusing on athletics?” Jaber asked. “It's already amplified as the highest place at UNM compared to our resource centers, compared to places on campus that need money.”
Nate Bernard is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @natebernard14
Elliott Wood is a beat reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. They can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
Nate Bernard is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @natebernard14
