The University of New Mexico community is bracing itself for the impacts of the federal government shutdown, which has been ongoing for over a month since lawmakers missed the deadline for government funding.
UNM President Garnett Stokes sent a campus-wide email on Oct. 6, in which she wrote that the government shutdown may affect University federally funded research projects.
UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher and UNM Health Sciences Center Vice President for Research, Hengameh Raissy, addressed the UNM Research Community in a letter with guidelines to prepare for the shutdown on Sept. 29, before the government shutdown.
In general, during a government shutdown, no new awards are created by federal sponsors, and research agencies will be unable to begin new programs, issue new grants, enter into new contracts or review existing applications, according to the letter.
“Projects where the federal sponsor has already obligated funds will be allowed to continue spending, unless informed differently by either the agency sponsor or by the (Office of the Vice President for Research),” the letter reads.
A shutdown can result in missed panels, a backlog of proposal actions at the agencies and delays that ultimately could result in the cancellation of some research and related activities, according to the letter.
UNM Global Education Office Director for International Student and Scholar Services Linda Melville said that GEO has not been impacted by the shutdown other than some delays, due to the Department of Homeland Security — an agency that GEO works with — being self-funded.
“Consular offices are considered essential, and so they continue to process visas,” Melville said. “They're also operating some on fees, so the parts of the State Department that we actually deal with are still operating.”
The government shutdown began on Oct. 1, after Democrats and Republicans held a firm disagreement over a decision on health care spending, leading to Democrats’ refusal to vote in favor of funding bills proposed by Republicans in both houses of Congress, according to the Associated Press.
Democrats want to reverse Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks and spending reductions, which he signed in July, and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans disagree with the Democrats’ proposal, arguing that it would cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion, according to the AP.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is threatened within New Mexico as funding for the program has run out, leaving states in charge of providing EBT credits to those who use the program to purchase food, according to ABC News.
SNAP serves 450,000 recipients in New Mexico, which has the highest rate of reliance on the program in the nation, according to Source NM.
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On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham released a press release that announced the state will deliver $30 million in state-funded benefits to those who qualify to help New Mexicans with food expenses for roughly the first 10 days of November.
A 2023-24 survey of almost 10,000 students from higher education institutions throughout the state found that two in five students reported experiencing “very low” food security, which is the most severe category, according to the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
The Statewide Student Basic Needs Workshop found that increased access to SNAP benefits are a significant part of a solution to reducing basic needs insecurities for students, faculty and staff.
LeVar Eady, market manager of Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market, said students use SNAP benefits to shop at the market, allowing them to have availability of “fresh, locally sourced, nutrient-packed food.”
“Some of the things at big box stores aren't necessarily the healthiest of choices,” Eady said. “Students that have a more healthy, nutrient-balanced diet tend to be better students; you have more energy to be able to do the various activities that students do, such as studying, going to class, socializing, all those things that are important.”
Rachel Jump, Administrative Assistant to the Dean at the UNM School of Architecture and Planning, wrote in a listserv email that 4.5% of UNM students who completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form reported receiving SNAP benefits.
Students can normally receive help applying for SNAP benefits through the UNM Women’s Resource Center, and all students, regardless of SNAP eligibility, can visit the Lobo Food Pantry in the Student Union Building for free groceries, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
