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News

NSO goes online

Beatrice Nisoli | May 4

The University of New Mexico’s New Student Orientation (NSO) is officially transferring to an online format.  In a continuing effort to mitigate the potential effect of COVID-19 on UNM students, NSO Director Jose Villar developed an online orientation program for specific groups that has since been extended to all incoming students. According to Villar, he and his team “are committed to doing their part to flatten the curve.”  Coined “NSO...To-Go,” the online orientation will feature live presentations, Q&A panels, webinars and virtual help sessions, among other events. Villar said familiar NSO-specific activities, such as the annual completion of The Grey Area talk and academic advisement and registration, will also be conducted in a remote format. 

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Culture

UNM Dance Program performs heart-warming online spring concert

Megan Gleason | May 2

The University of New Mexico Dance Program hosted an online concert for Spring 2020 on May 1, inviting the public to watch students perform “Observer as Poet” with choreography centered on the theme of quarantine. The program consisted of a mix of different students and locations, all reflecting on the stress and anxiety that has been prominent for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. I found relief in watching the performing arts world come together when this has been such a difficult time to physically do so. The performers proved that although they are physically separated, they are emotionally together still.

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News

Social media, bullying dominate final ASUNM meeting

Alyssa Martinez | May 2

As outgoing senators shared solemn goodbyes and incoming ones watched on the Zoom call, one parting piece of advice was unavoidable in the last full senate meeting of the semester: Social media conduct matters. When they weren't passing three bills — two of which were related to the internal protocol of an Associated Students of UNM State of Emergency — and a resolution acknowledging the hardships brought on by COVID-19, several ASUNM senators spoke on the virtual presence of those within the organization. Outgoing ASUNM President Adam Biederwolf was the first to raise the topic during his final presidential report.

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Culture

Film students adapt to COVID restrictions

Jeanette DeDios | May 1

Seniors of the Film and Digital Media Arts Department (FDMA) have struggled to stay motivated while trying to find alternative ways to finish their capstone projects. With the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 and the rules that prohibit face-to-face interaction, students are finding it harder to cope in a world of uncertainty. The University of New Mexico students enrolled in the FDMA program study under a four year cohort program that teaches them skills of filmmaking and prepares them to work within the film industry after graduation. The culmination of their hard work is presented in their senior capstones where they work in crews to create a film, video game or animation from beginning to end. 

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News

Bucking popular vote, committee moves forward with new seal

Justin Garcia | April 30

The popular vote wanted design A.  Supporters said in write-in comments that they preferred the artwork, that it provided a sense of pride and that it told a story better than other options.  The Regents disagreed.  Despite not receiving popular support, design C was chosen unanimously by the Academic, Student Affairs and Research Committee (ASAR) over four other designs. The seal is not the logo. Instead, the seal is reserved for official documents, including diplomas. 

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News

Kiana Caalim and Nahje Flowers considered for posthumous degrees

Justin Garcia | April 30

Posthumous degrees for Nahje Flowers and Kiana Caalim unanimously approved the Academic, Student Affairs and Research Committee Thursday, signaling approvals at an upcoming Regent’s meeting.  Flowers died November 5, 2019. Caalim died on December 11, 2019.  “The University of New Mexico recognizes that earning a degree is a matter of legitimate pride of achievement not only for students themselves but also for the family members and friends who provide students with vitally important support,” read Caalim and Flowers’ posthumous degree request form. 

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News

COVID-19 disproportionately impacts marginalized populations

Amanda Britt | April 29

The coronavirus pandemic is not the great equalizer some in the limelight have touted it to be.  Melanie Moses, UNM professor of computer science, has been studying the racial disparities of the coronavirus spreading within our state. Moses said there needs to be policies implemented to protect vulnerable groups as individuals plan to open economies, distribute personal protective equipment and develop vaccination plans. “There are shocking disparities among African, Latinx and Native-American populations with mortality rates at rates at least two or three times higher than white populations,” Moses said. At least 31% of New Mexicans who’ve contracted COVID-19 are Native American despite only making up about 11% of the population, according to an article New Mexico In Depth published based on publicly available data.

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Culture

Local acequias lack proper maintenance during stay-at-home order

Daniel Ward | April 28

None of the Pajarito Meadows residents expected to go outside and find half the houses flooding one afternoon in early April. Some houses were drenched two to three feet deep in water from the nearby acequia. However, the reason why the acequias overflowed is a different story.  Many acequias in New Mexico are open and running despite having to cancel their community spring cleaning day. As the stay-at-home order continues, cleaning the acequias has been put on hold for many New Mexico communities.  Since acequias are not Albuquerque’s main source of farm water, keeping them clean has become a hassle in some areas.

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News

UNM announces virtual commencement ceremony

Makayla Grijalva | April 27

In an email sent to those graduating in spring 2020 on April 27, the University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes officially announced a virtual celebration to honor graduates.  The celebration will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m, with more details expected to come later this week from the Office of the University Secretary. The email added that a virtual commencement does not replace an in-person one, so spring 2020 graduates will be invited to walk at a later commencement ceremony.  “To say that a virtual celebration is an imperfect solution would be an enormous understatement—and believe me, I’m as upset as you are that we won’t be celebrating your new degree in person, in a crowded Dreamstyle Arena (Pit) filled with family and friends,” Stokes said in the email. “Commencement is a life experience, a genuine rite of passage—and as such, it truly cannot be experienced virtually.”

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News

Politics, misinformation enter fray as 'anti-quarantine' protest and COVID cases continue

Andrew Gunn | April 26

A small group of protesters demanding the reopening of New Mexico’s economy gathered at Civic Plaza Friday while the death toll from the coronavirus in New Mexico continues to mount. The demonstration — organized locally on Facebook by longshot Republican congressional candidate Brett Kokinadis and a group called “NM Freedom Rally - Operation Gridlock NM” — mirrored other anti-quarantine protests held in Santa Fe and across the country in recent weeks calling for the softening of social distancing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. While the small nationwide protests continue to make headlines and grab attention online, their origins remain unclear. A Washington Post article found that three brothers from Ohio were responsible for some of the largest anti-quarantine Facebook groups in the country.

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Culture

‘Singing is a way of life’ A Capella student org goes online

Megan Gleason | April 26

Something Major A Capella (SMAC) is working online to try to create a virtual concert in place of their canceled concert due to the coronavirus pandemic. SMAC is a student a capella singing group at the University of New Mexico, consisting of both music and non-music majors. “Singing is a way of life… Singing keeps up sane,” President Chris Mather said.

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News

Protestors demand statewide rent freeze

Bella Davis | April 25

Albuquerque saw a car rally demanding a statewide rent freeze under a nationwide day of protest on Saturday.  Protestors met at Los Altos Park and stayed in their cars, following social distancing guidelines.  The rally was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). PSL said the temporary eviction moratorium issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court on March 24 doesn’t go far enough. 

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Music

Review: The Absurdity of “Tiger King”

Loreena Cain | April 25

This article contains spoilers for all episodes of “Tiger King” The Netflix documentary series “Tiger King” has quickly become the most popular show of the moment. There is no way of escaping Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado-Passage’s bleached blond mullet or blue and purple sequined jacket on social media recently. This documentary, told in a total of eight episodes, follows a host of characters involved in the selling and breeding, or rescue of big cats in America's south.

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News

Agora Crisis Center faces high-volume chat services during pandemic

Megan Gleason | April 24

The University’s Agora Crisis Center has seen an increase in the use of their services during the coronavirus pandemic. Agora — a UNM student organization — is a free, confidential all-issues support center accessible to anyone.  “Our whole mission is really to just help our community,” Agora Associate Director Kyle Dougherty said. “Anybody can get in contact with us at any time.” Agora reported they’ve had an increase in online chat services, while their phone services remain consistent with previous records.

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News

11 Senators elected with lowest turnout since 2014

Alyssa Martinez | April 24

Undergraduate student government elections saw the lowest voter turnout since 2014 for the final election of the academic year, according to statistics collected by the Daily Lobo.  Just 837 students voted in the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM) senate elections — representing about 5.6% of the undergraduate body this semester.  Todd Moe, who heads the ASUNM Elections Commission, said he was disappointed with the turnout, but said the coronavirus pandemic — and the suspension of in-person classes — likely played a role. 

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News

UNM Bookstore extends book rental return deadline

Makayla Grijalva | April 23

The University of New Mexico bookstore altered its spring 2020 textbook rental return policy to accommodate the unusual situation some students are finding themselves in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The change in policy includes a rental extension from May 16 to May 20, as well as options to return textbooks through a mail-in or a drive-thru drop off method.  “In light of the current health crisis, the UNM Bookstore has revised the previous textbook rental return procedures and deadlines in order to adhere to the most recent public health guidelines and the University’s limited operations status,” a press release from UNM bookstore management said.

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Culture

Organizations work to address hunger amid pandemic

Amanda Britt | April 22

One in six people struggle with food insecurity in New Mexico, according to Feeding America, the United States' largest domestic hunger-relief organization. That’s roughly 324,000 New Mexicans, including one in four children, struggling with hunger every day. Local food banks, farmers, and growers markets are each doing their part to address hunger in New Mexico. Roadrunner Foodbank has partnered with Feeding America to distribute over 31 million meals to people dealing with hunger in counties all over New Mexico. Roadrunner is currently the only partner of Feeding America in New Mexico

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Culture

UNM students find comfort in Animal Crossing video game

Alex McCausland | April 22

As the COVID-19 pandemic largely confined the world to their homes, video games have seen a surge in popularity. In particular, Animal Crossing, a game about building and decorating an island community, has become one of the best selling games during the quarantine.  At first it might be hard to understand its appeal — fishing, pulling weeds, and building furniture aren’t exactly the type of video game features you’d expect to pay $60 for. But, for UNM students who have had their normal routines ripped out from under them, Animal Crossing provides an escape from their anxiety and confinement.

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Culture

ASUNM Community Experience hosts virtual Spring Storm

Beatrice Nisoli | April 21

For the first time in 17 years, the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s Community Experience canceled their annual Spring Storm event, which was previously scheduled on April 20. However, rather than forego the day entirely, ASUNM Community Experience chose to revoke its conventional format and opted to host the event virtually.  The virtual Spring Storm consisted of UNM students being encouraged to do an act of community service while respecting COVID-19 safety guidelines. This service could range from yard work to household chores, and students were encouraged to post pictures on their Instagram stories featuring their participation. Community Experience hosts a plethora of campus and community-wide service events throughout the scholastic year. These services include Fall Frenzy, in which student organizations form teams to clean various areas of campus, the Giving Tree, in which students are encouraged to purchase gifts outlined on tags taken from a Christmas tree, and food and blood drives, among others.

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Culture

New Mexico Dream Team fundraises for undocumented immingrants

Megan Gleason | April 21

New Mexico Dream Team created a COVID-19 fundraiser for undocumented families in New Mexico. Since April 4, 2020, it has reached over half of their $50,000 goal.  New Mexico Dream Team is an immigrant youth-led organization in New Mexico that fights for immigrant rights. “It’s almost horrific to see that under this pandemic they’re not being included in the conversations of how to provide relief to our people here in the United States… definitely inhumane,” Communications Director Flaviano Graciano said. This fundraiser stemmed from the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the government stimulus package.