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News

LoboWeb expands gender pronoun options

Anna C. Evantiz | April 25

LoboWeb now gives students and staff the option to set their preferred pronouns and gender identity.  This is phase three of the Affirmed/Preferred First Name initiative, an initiative that has been a collaborative effort by the LGBTQ resource center, the division of equality and inclusion, information technologies and the office of the registrars. The Affirmed name initiative is covered under UNM policy, as per Frankie Flores, the LGBTQ Resource Center Coordinator. 

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Culture

How Jose Martinez overcame homelessness

Amanda Britt | April 25

From overcoming homelessness and substance addiction, to having a feature roll in “Better Call Saul," Jose B. Martinez is a symbol of perseverance.  Throughout his life, Martinez has had to overcome many obstacles. Growing up a member of the only Hispanic family in his town and being racially stereotyped by police, moving to Los Angeles with only $700 and being homeless on the streets of Albuquerque. Martinez, a former student at the university of New Mexico, grew up in Chicago always knowing he wanted to be an actor. At the age of 18 he veered away from his family to move to New York City with the hope that he could make it in the acting business. After years of struggling in New York he decided to try acting in Los Angeles.

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Opinion

Column: ASUNM changes law based on hunches and assumptions

Kyle Land | April 25

Last night, the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico voted to remove a law requiring them to advertise their elections in the Daily Lobo. The bill passed 13 to 6. As editor-in-chief, I find the nature of the bill and the way it was introduced a little more than concerning. Frankly, the opinions expressed by those who supported this bill proved exactly why recent election turnouts have been at some of their lowest points ever.  Firstly, one of the most baffling moments of the meeting came during a presentation Victoria Knight, Joint Council’s representative to ASUNM, made to the Full Senate. She said that President Becka Myers had asked the council how they would feel if they were in the Daily Lobo and this legislation was introduced?

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Opinion

Column: The root causes of homelessness

Andrew Gunn | April 25

Early in the afternoon during the summer of 2017, 50-year-old Lou Molzhon was sleeping on a mattress under the Interstate 40 overpass at 12th Street. Described by friends and acquaintances as a kindhearted man who was quick to share a smoke, he had been living on the streets of Albuquerque for over a year. Under the bridge downtown, Molzhon didn't give his life away — it was stolen from him. Police and witnesses say that two assailants soaked him in gasoline and set him on fire. Molzhon later died of his injuries at the University of New Mexico Hospital. His attackers have yet to be apprehended. This is but a microcosm of the threats facing those experiencing homelessness in the United States, and the crisis is only getting worse. Homelessness has tripled in New York City since the turn of the century, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. A proposed homeless "navigation center" in an affluent waterfront neighborhood in San Francisco is facing immense backlash from residents, even as City Supervisor Aaron Peskin says the city's homelessness situation has reached a "boiling point".

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Culture

Movie Review: Poor dialogue dampens potential of "La Llorona"

Justin Schatz | April 25

La Llorona makes her long awaited “Conjuring Universe" debut in Michael Chaves stylistic, yet underwhelming, “The Curse of La Llorona.”   The “Conjuring Universe” has been a blessing for the horror genre. James Wan’s “The Conjuring” is often considered a contemporary masterpiece of horror. The “Annabelle” spinoffs are a lesser but still competently crafted horror experience.  The ever-expanding “Conjuring Universe” has experienced a dip in form with its last few entries. The formula that proved to a be a resounding success in the first two “Conjuring” movies has been recycled through each entry and now is at its predictable low in Chaves' latest entry.

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Culture

Don Quijote flash mob takes Zimmerman by storm

Anthony Jackson | April 25

More than a dozen University of New Mexico staff and students gathered outside of Zimmerman Library for a Don Quijote flash mob last Wednesday. Starting at noon and lasting 15 minutes, undergraduate and graduate students alike read passages from the book; some read aloud in english, but others read out loud in Spanish and french.  The flash mob was held in conjunction with el Día del Libro, the Day of the Book, said Mary Quinn, an associate professor within the Spanish and Portuguese department.

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Culture

Movie Review: "Shazam" proves a compelling superhero movie

Justin Schatz | April 24

Imagine Gary Winick’s “13 Going on 30,” but without the stress of renting in New York City and instead transforming into a goofy superman doppelganger. DC Comics' latest solo entry “Shazam,” is a fun and deceivingly dark entry that promises potential for DC’s inconsistent cinematic universe.   Directed by David Sandberg, “Shazam” finds its emotional core and compelling storytelling through its exploration of family. The movie invested itself in Billy Batson (Asher Angel), an orphan on a relentless quest to find his mother. After another fruitless lead, Billy finds himself fostered by Victor (Cooper Andrews) and Rosa (Marta Milans) Vasquez.  He meets his foster brother, Frederick ‘Freddy’ Freeman (Jack Grazer), who happens to be an expert on everything superhero related. Billy, after defending Freddy from their high school’s bullies, finds himself in the presence of a powerful wizard (Dijimon Hounsou) and here we meet Shazam (a perfectly cast, Zachary Levi).

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News

UNM regents approve 3.1 percent tuition hike

Danielle Prokop | April 23

It’s official — tuition is going up.  The University of New Mexico Board of Regents debated, then voted 6-1 to adopt the Budget Leadership Team’s proposal to raise base tuition by 3.1 percent. Regent Kimberly Sanchez Rael was the sole dissenter. The increase will provide for a 3 percent employee compensation bump — lower than the state-mandated 4 percent. The additional 1 percent will be potentially covered by a supplemental appropriation to the state: a request of an additional $4.6 million dollars. 

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News

UNM approves differential tuition for Arts & Sciences. How does it affect you?

Justin Garcia | April 23

The University of New Mexico approved an additional tuition cost that charges undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) $10 per credit hour on top of other tuition and fee costs. Graduate students in A&S will be charged an additional $50 per credit hour. Unlike base tuition, differential tuition goes straight back to A&S' bank(or pocket?). The cost increase comes with a student fee increase, base tuition increase and additional premiums on upper-division courses (including graduate courses) passed by the Board of Regents as a part of the 2020 budget. 

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News

Regents to hold second summit for budget today

Danielle Prokop | April 22

The University of New Mexico is having its Budget Summit — again.  The special meeting of the UNM Board of Regents begins at 9 a.m. in the Student Union Building. It’s the second attempt to make decisions for the University’s $2.9 billion budget — including Health Sciences Center, Main Campus and its auxiliary budgets, which includes athletics.  The proposed budget will have to address a steep decline in enrollment, nationally low faculty compensation and the UNM Department of Athletics continued deficit management. 

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News

Mayor Keller approves plastic bag ban

Justin Garcia | April 22

Mayor Tim Keller signed into law a ban on plastic bags — like those commonly used at grocery stores — on Saturday during an Earth Day celebration.  The bill was sponsored by four Democrats and originally had much stricter regulations when it came to single-use containers. Dorothy Rainosek — who co-owns Frontier with her husband Larry — said she expects more changes like the bag ban in the future. “I’m glad we have time to adapt,” Rainosek said, adding that her restaurant wasn’t affected by this bill. The ban takes effect in 2020.  She said her restaurant, and the Golden Pride chain, are beginning to look at alternatives to plastic straws and are considering making straws available upon request. 

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News

Photo Story: Local farm provides fresh food to ABQ community

Justin Schatz | April 22

 A flourishing farm lies a little over a mile away from Albuquerque’s Downtown Growers Market. Nestled in Albuquerque's South Valley, Chispas Farm is a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.  

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Culture

420 Festival hosts downtown block party

Katie Monette | April 22

The New Mexico 420 Festival took place this past weekend in downtown Albuquerque. The booths spanned 3rd Street to 7th Street, selling clothing, jewelry, food and beverages, a wide variety of CBD and hemp products, as well as music and local comedians and artists.  The block-party style event got off to a slow start, with a sparse crowd browsing the numerous cannabis-related goods. Some vendors were selling rasta-theme t-shirts and paraphernalia, but some booths attracted more attention, like a glass-blowing demonstration by hand-blown glass art studio and gallery, Glass Etc. Glass Etc provides glassblowing lessons and creates custom pieces, including non-cannabis related glass products and pendants. 

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Culture

UNM expo advocates for sustainability

Amanda Britt | April 22

The University of New Mexico’s Sustainability Program hosted their 11th annual Sustainability Expo last Thursday. Students and other members of the community partook in several sustainable activities, including a clothing swap, purchasing plant starters, learning from multiple sustainable organizations and eating locally sourced food from different food trucks.  The Cornell Mall was decorated with booths overflowing with plants and flowers, something UNM student, Abby White said she enjoyed seeing. 

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Culture

Move Review: "Hellboy" reboot falls drastically short

Justin Schatz | April 21

From its opening scene, it was clear that “Hellboy” was going to be a bloody, gore-riddled mess. Neil Marshall’s “Hellboy,” a reboot of Guillermo del Toro’s beloved two installments “Hellboy” and “The Golden Army,” invests the majority of its time (and apparently its budget) on gore rather than compelling storytelling. The visual splendor and extensive world building of del Toro is sacrificed for the sake of an R-rating. Marshall’s reboot begins with an opening struggle between King Arthur and the British sorceress, Nimue, the Queen of Blood (Milla Jovovich). Nimue is defeated by King Arthur and his sword, Excalibur, and her dismembered limbs are sent out to the most isolated corners of the British Isles.

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Sports

New Mexico United lose 2-1 on the road to Reno

Andrew Gunn | April 20

"All things must pass — none of life's strings can last." So sang George Harrison on his seminal composition in 1970, and so ended New Mexico United's season-opening undefeated streak at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday night as Reno 1868 FC handed the visitors a 2-1 loss. United (3-1-4) seemed destined to pick up the road draw after effectively shutting down Reno (3-1-3) for most of the second half, but the fates had other designs. Duke Lacroix sealed the win and crushed the spirits of the New Mexico side with an 89th minute curler from the top of the penalty area, granting the hosts three points by the narrowest of margins.

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Music

List: Songs to check out for your next 420

Sophia Sambrano | April 20

With medical marijuana being legal in our state for over a decade and recreational legalization on the horizon, marijuana's effect on popular culture is nearly inescapable. Whether you're a medical patient, or have to escape to our northern border of Colorado to celebrate, I sincerely hope you get to enjoy a lovely day, regardless of whether or not its accompanied by cannabis. These songs feature a mix of explicit cannabis references, our favorite stoners, and sounds that will help keep the vibe right on your 4/20. Here are some blazed beats for your hazy holiday.  

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News

ASUNM: Another record-low turnout for Senate election

Justin Garcia | April 18

The final election of the school year had 11 candidates elected by 961 students to the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Senate.  The turnout — a rate of 6 percent — is the lowest in 15 semesters. Despite the low turnout, Elections Commission Director Jordan Montoya and Assistant Director Christian Ojeda said they were happy with the turnout in context of relatively few candidates and bad weather.  “At the end of the day, voter turnout could be high, voter turnout could be low, but I think what we should really look at is how these amazing people are going to be,” Montoya said after the election. 

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News

Election complaint filed against GPSA president-elect

Justin Garcia | April 18

The Graduate and Professional Student Association tabled certification of the 2019 presidential election until the Court of Review can hear a complaint filed against president-elect Muhammad Afzaal.  The decision to table was approved unanimously by the election committee Monday evening during a special meeting. A second meeting on Monday, this one to appoint justices to the Court of Review, was called off after GPSA’s Council could not muster the six-person quorum required by the GPSA Constitution The complaint, which was provided to the Daily Lobo by GPSA, alleged that Afzaal violated GPSA’s bylaws that prohibit campaigning within 25 feet of a polling station. It also alleges that Afzaal pressured students on North Campus to vote for him. 

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News

Part-time vs. Full-time: The debate around who can join a faculty union

Kyle Land | April 18

Why is full-time and part-time faculty organizing together such a controversy? This debate has dominated nearly all conversation around faculty unions in the U.S., which have grown in frequency the past few years. Around 35 percent of all public colleges and universities have some sort of faculty union.  The University of New Mexico is experiencing the same controversy now. Their response to a petition from the proposed union — United Academics of UNM (UA-UNM) — recommended rejecting the possibility of a union. This is partly because UNM considers adjunct and other part-time faculty to not be “regular, non-probationary employees,” a category they say the Public Employees Labor Relations Act forbids part-time faculty from unionizing.