Lobos Basketball Tournament

City Councilors Isaac Benton and Rey Garduno listen to public testimonies concerning legislations being proposed on Monday night Sept. 21, 2015. Benton and Garduno are strong proponents of the decriminalization of marijuana and passed a 5-4 vote in favor of it.

News

Albuquerque City Council narrowly approves marijuana measure

Matthew Reisen | September 23

The Albuquerque City Council passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana late Monday evening, leaving the decision up to Mayor Richard Berry. The council voted by a 5-4 split on Ordinance 15-60, which makes one ounce or less of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia a civil infraction with a $25 fine and removes any potential for jail time. “It serves the public interest, it’s reasonable, elected and appointed government officials have a duty to serve the public interest and uphold the public’s trust,” Art Tannenbaum, an Albuquerque resident, said as he addressed the council on Monday.

News

Officials: UNM already hitting goals outlined in governor's initiative

David Lynch | September 23

Gov. Susana Martinez visited UNM earlier this month to highlight her goals to get more college students graduating on time, some of which UNM has already undertaken. Forty-two percent (792) of students who graduated in 2013 took five years to walk the stage. Meanwhile, only 29.5 percent (569) of the 2013 graduating class received their degree four years after starting at UNM. Faculty Senate President Stefan Posse acknowledged that graduation rates are a key metric of student success, and that the senate is always looking for ways to increase the quality of education at UNM. “We have a responsibility to the people of New Mexico and to provide a high value education,” Posse said. “We’re engaged in a lot of processes ... to become an even more successful flagship institution in the 21st century.” UNM Regent Bradley Hosmer said the gears are already turning at UNM with some of Martinez’s goals, and have been for some time.

Culture

Five and why with Eva Encinias

Jenna Stoff | September 23

Eva Encinias-Sandoval, a UNM dance instructor and recipient of the Life Achievement Award, said she has worn “many different hats in the flamenco world.” None, however, have compared to the pleasure of teaching, she said.

Lobo forward Niko Hansen rejoices with his teammates during their game against the Eagles Sunday Sept. 20, 2015. Hansen and his teammate Nicholas Rochowski have been awarded Conference USA Player of the Week.

Sports

Men's soccer: Lobos sweep C-USA weekly awards for second time

Staff Report | September 22

New Mexico forward Niko Hansen and defender Nicholas Rochowski both earned Conference USA Player of the Week awards, marking the second week this season the Lobos have taken both awards.

News

UNM geochemistry professor receives National Speleological Society award

Denicia Aragon | September 22

Victor Polyak, senior research scientist in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UNM, has been honored with the National Speleological Society Science award, according to a UNM release. Polyak received the award for his “dedication to the research of caves,” much of which includes published studies. He is currently the manager of the Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory. According to the statement, the award recognizes an NSS member who has shown impressive commitment to the scientific study of caves.

News

UNM Students Attend Domenici Public Policy Conference

Denicia Aragon | September 22

Nine UNM students were given the chance to question top U.S public policy leaders last week at the Domenici Public Policy Conference hosted by New Mexico State University held at the Las Cruces Convention Center, according to a UNM release. Nineteen students from NMSU, UNM, Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico Tech and Western New Mexico University collaborated over the summer to develop questions to ask each speaker at the conference. For this year's event, the speakers included “former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, former U.S secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, a former U.S ambassador to Syria, and New Mexico's current governor Susana Martinez,” according to the release.

Priscilla Mendoza (left) laughs with Mimmi Muleta while they separate rice in individual bags with other volunteers. Groups of students gathered in front of La Posada to volunteer in a food initiative that was designed to put together bags of rice and beans to give to the Road Runner Food Bank.

News

UNM food initiative calls for volunteers to prepare community fare

Matthew Reisen | September 22

UNM held a food initiative on Monday to benefit local farmers and call for volunteers to help a good cause. Daniel Maldonado, marketing director for UNM Food, said the event, called the “Local Food Initiative,” was held from four to six on Monday afternoon in La Posada Plaza. UNM collaborated with La Montanita’s Co-op and Bueno Foods to provide donations to Roadrunner Food Bank

News

UNM's BA/MD program a finalist for Examples of Excelencia Award

Denicia Aragon | September 22

UNM's School of Medicine is receiving national recognition for its work to boost Latino enrollment in higher education achievement, in addition to shedding light on the lack of physicians in New Mexico, according to a University statement. Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit organization created to advance Latino student success in higher education, nominated UNM’s Combined BA/MD program as a finalist for its annual Examples of Excelencia award.

The Interfaith Vigil for Immigrant Justice and Dignity walks along 4th Street to support four Albuquerque women who are attending a 100-mile march.

News

New Mexico women join march for migrant recognition

Isaac De Luna | September 21

A group of locals is joining 100 migrant women as they set out on a 100-mile pilgrimage from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. in hopes of attracting the support of Pope Francis during his visit to the nation’s capital this week. With more than 100 attendees, El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos – a local grassroots effort that fights for Latino rights – organized a vigil in support of the four Albuquerque women who will be joining the march to amplify its message of justice, said Fabiola Bawden, one of the four women who will participate.

News

Monday on the Street: Albuquerque transportation

Matthew Reisen | September 21

What do you think about the current public transportation system in Albuquerque, and how do you feel about proposed plans to change it later this year?

Opinion

Letter: The beliefs of many atheists are based on unscientific presuppositions

September 21

Editor, We would like to present the results of the Atheist Survey collected on the UNM Albuquerque campus in April-May 2015. Of the 56 self-proclaimed atheists and agnostics who completed the survey, 45 (80 percent) have at least one parent who believed in God, 35 (63 percent) believed in God as a child, and 42 (75 percent) began to doubt God's existence prior to leaving high school.

News

UNM alum starts foundation with programs to help underprivileged

Sayyed Shah | September 21

A UNM alumnus has established a foundation to show solidarity with underprivileged communities, and to help reduce health disparities across the globe. David Ishmael, a political science and geography graduate and founder of the Ishmael Global Foundation, said that the organization is dedicated to three primary issues: health, sustainability and education. “The healthcare part of the organization will focus on oral health,” Ishmael said.

Opinion

ASUNM column: ASUNM wants YOU to participate

Alexandra Cervantes | September 21

Lately there has been a lot of talk about student fees. Somewhere in the breakdown of the fees students pay every semester, YOU are paying a student government fee. If you are a full time student at UNM, every semester you pay ASUNM $20. So why not take advantage of your money? Well, here are the ways you can do just that:

Opinion

Letter: Lobos an appropriate mascot for UNM

September 21

Editor, Lobos are not a losing face, nor do they besmirch the legacy of UNM. The Mexican grey wolf is not extinct but critically endangered, and many efforts have been made to remedy this. The mentality of wolves in general as being degenerate and pests has only made the Lobos come back more difficult. Despite all the cards being held against them, Lobos preserve and maintain their dignity. Lobos are shot, poisoned and thought of as losers, yet they still survive and stick to the tradition of a pack mentality: with a variety of members in a pack working together to achieve the same goals. Their penchant for team work and success as a pack is something that we at UNM all emulate. To me the Lobo represents strength in the face of adversity, which is a mascot we should all be proud of. Resilient, strong, and proud: UNM Lobos for life! Sincerely, Veronica Koomson-Maiden Daily Lobo reader Lobos are not a losing face, nor do they besmirch the legacy of UNM. The Mexican grey wolf is not extinct but critically endangered, and many efforts have been made to remedy this. The mentality of wolves in general as being degenerate and pests has only made the Lobos come back more difficult.

New Mexico redshirt sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan throws a pass against ASU on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The Sun Devils defeated the Lobos 34-10. (Reilly Kneedler/The State Press)

Sports

Football: Lobo offense struggles to get off the ground in 34-10 loss to ASU

Thomas Romero-Salas | September 21

There wasn’t much of a rhythm to New Mexico’s offense at Arizona State on Friday. The issue was at a key position: quarterback. UNM’s Lamar Jordan and Austin Apodaca both struggled, resulting in a 34-10 loss to the Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona. Jordan, who started the game, went just 4-11 for 22 yards. Apodaca did slightly better, going 8-18 with 89 yards and an interception. Both quarterbacks took the same number of snaps, leading the Lobos to just 295 yards of total offense.

Ashley Kelsey reaches for the ball during the Lobos’ game against Grand Canyon on Mar. 21. The beach volleyball team will hold tryouts Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

Sports

Beach volleyball: Tryouts slated for Sept. 29-Oct. 1

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 21

New Mexico is looking to build exposure in addition to finding hidden talent for its newest sport. The Lobo beach volleyball program is hosting tryouts Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 for anyone who thinks they can make the cut. Head coach Jeff Nelson said he’s been approached by several individuals on campus interested in trying out. “I just think it’s time we give kids on campus a shot,” Nelson said. “There will be a three-day tryout, and we’ll just see how it goes.”

Opinion

Letter: Republicans show they are against the defenseless

September 21

Publicly, have you noticed how so many Republican power-mongers pick mainly on weak people, people who are already oppressed, people who are defenseless? Like dirt-poor undocumented migrants, artistic gay men, women in crisis making the agonizing decision of having a late-term abortion or possibly dying, and entire third-world nations that they bomb on the slightest pretext because the people there are too poor to fight back.

Opinion

Letter: Simple, cheap living is possible for those who don't consume by reflex

September 21

I enjoy living simply and healthy on less than half the United States poverty level and less than half the federal income taxable level for me as a single person -- to boycott the U.S. empire’s greed and wars. I lived well in 2014 on $4,923 for my total expenses -- rent, food, etc.

Cyler Conrad explores the relationship between climate change and food security in prehistoric Thai-Malay Peninsula communities. Conrad is a UNM graduate student student who has received a National Geographic Young Explorers grant to conduct his research.

Culture

Nat. Geo. grants encourage research in conservation, exploration

Josh Lane | September 21

National Geographic, one of the world’s largest science-, exploration- and storytelling-based publications, has been awarding grants since the year following the society’s founding in 1888. On Saturday, employees and grantees for the acclaimed magazine spoke on campus to students who are interested in applying for the organization’s Young Explorers Grant.

UNM setter Hannah Johnson celebrates a point during Saturday’s match against Louisiana State University. The Lobos lost to LSU 2-3 and will play at Johnson Center september 24th.

Sports

Volleyball: Lobos struggle vs. LSU in invite finale

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 21

Crucial errors down the stretch hindered New Mexico’s five-set bid in the title game at the Days Inn and Suites Lobo Invitational against LSU on Saturday night. After taking the first matches against Cal State Northridge and Long Island University Brooklyn, the Lobos hit a lull for a 3-2 loss against the Tigers in the final game the squad will play this season at WisePies Arena aka The Pit.