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Local businesses adjust to coronavirus economy

Lauren McDonald | March 17

As cases of the novel coronavirus reach double digits in Bernalillo County, local business owners are grappling with a decrease in sales. The New Mexico Economic Development Department is offering aid for businesses amidst the health crisis, such as emergency loans and credit to local business owners who are affected by COVID-19. Effective March 16, the Governor's office issued a mandate requiring restaurants to temporarily limit patronage to half of their maximum occupancy. Tables and booths can't sit more than six people and must be six feet away from the nearest table, according to the City of Albuquerque.

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Culture

LoboTHON 2020 Dance Marathon canceled

Cameron Ward | March 17

Hopes were set high for LoboTHON in 2020, but with the coronavirus pandemic causing cancellations and closures across campus, this year's Dance Marathon later has also been canceled.  With the recent confirmed cases of COVID-19, it was estimated over 100,000 people have been affected around the world. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on March 11.  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham banned events exceeding 100 persons on March 12 and a declared state of emergency the previous day. The University of New Mexico followed suit and canceled any event exceeding 50 persons. This has resulted in the cancelation of many events, including sporting games, concerts, festivals, and movies.

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News

UNM researchers work to find COVID-19 vaccine

Lissa Knudsen | March 17

As researchers around the world attempt to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center (HSC) researchers are among their ranks. Dr. Steven Bradfute, an assistant professor in the Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine at HSC, confirmed Thursday, March 12 that UNM researchers have received samples of the coronavirus and are ready to test it. Bradfute and his team are contributing to research efforts to try to find a vaccine for COVID-19 amid an increase in presumptive positive cases in New Mexico. As of March 17, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) identified 23 presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state.

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News

ABQ organizations offering meals to children during closures

Liam Debonis | March 14

With the University of New Mexico and Albuquerque Public Schools both on a three-week break, many students and faculty with children need meals to fulfill the hunger once provided by the schools.  In New Mexico, all public K-12 schools have closed for three weeks, as mandated by the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Students who had previously relied on school lunches are now at home during the day, while their parents must leave for work. APS has announced a “Grab & Go” meal program for students. Meals can be picked up at one of 89 schools from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning March 16. The list of participating schools can be found on the Albuquerque Public Schools website. The student must be present to receive a meal.

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Culture

UNM cancels large events over COVID-19 worries

Megan Gleason | March 14

The University of New Mexico has been canceling events frequently due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Some of these events include the cancelation of all Popejoy events until May 1, the cancelation of Fiestas, Farmworkers Awareness Week and the closure of the UNM Art Museum during spring break. UNM Housing recommended students stay off-campus during the extended break if possible. However, some resources will stay open on campus for the students that cannot leave, like Zimmerman library and meal plan options, both with limited hours.

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News

UNM apologizes for confusion over extended break announcements

Justin Garcia | March 14

The University of New Mexico apologized Saturday for confusion surrounding two messages regarding the extended break.  “Broadly, the spring break extension that was announced for students did not have explicit provisions for whether academic content would be available after March 23,” a press release said.  On Friday, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced UNM would extend spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5. Stokes’ address didn’t mention coursework or class schedules. 

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News

Provost: Some classes will resume online March 23, before extended break ends

Justin Garcia | March 14

Though campus will be closed, some classes will resume during the “extended spring break,” according to a campus message from Provost James Holloway.  This latest announcement, released late Friday evening, comes as UNM scrambles to prevent the spread of COVID-19 onto Main campus. Earlier in the day, UNM announced it would be extending spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5.  “You should be in contact with your instructors about their instructional plans for this period, as other forms of instruction may continue,” the Campus Communication said. Online classes will continue as normal, including the online second-half classes, according to the provost’s communication. 

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Culture

Zimmerman Library Women's History Month exhibit to remain open

Megan Gleason | March 14

As pieces of the University shut down, the Women’s History Month exhibit will remain open.  The University of New Mexico’s Zimmerman Library has been displaying an art exhibit “We Knew Exactly What You Wanted and WE. GOT. IT.” since March 2 and will continue through April 6 during regular business hours. On March 13, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced the University of New Mexico will be on an extended spring break until April 5 with limited University operations. Essentials such as Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), student housing and Zimmerman Library are expected to remain open.  This art exhibit is an educational timeline highlighting important women and movements in the women’s suffrage movement, in honor of Women’s History Month in March.

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News

UNM: Extended break will see ‘limited operations’ of staff

Justin Garcia | March 13

The University of New Mexico will reduce the number of employees on campus and instruct some staff to work from home — the latest measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. According to a press release from UNM President Garnett Stokes, staff will be notified Monday, March 16 if they will be asked to work from home.  “UNM employees are a critical and valued part of our community and will continue to be compensated during this period of limited operations,” the release said. 

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News

What we know about COVID-19 and UNM so far

Alyssa Martinez | March 13

The University of New Mexico will be on spring break until April 5, according to UNM President Garnett Stokes.  Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), Residence Life and Student Housing, La Posada Dining Hall and Zimmerman Library will remain open throughout the extended break, according to University officials.  Down south, New Mexico State University (NMSU) followed other campuses and extended spring break by a week to curb the spread of the disease while remaining open for those dependent on-campus services, which was announced on March 13. New Mexico Tech also extended their spring break until March 23. 

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Culture

UNM Uni Nights canceled

Loreena Cain | March 13

The University of New Mexico has canceled Uni Nights for the remainder of the semester due to growing concerns about the novel coronavirus at UNM and around the state. The last three Uni Nights of the spring 2020 semester — Disco Night planned for March 27, Plant night planned for April 17 and Late-Night Breakfast planned for May 10 — have all been canceled and are being rescheduled. The Student Union Building released a statement on Facebook that said, “The Student Union has postponed the remaining spring programs due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus until further notice.”

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Sports

Spring sports, winter championships canceled amid COVID-19 fears

Spencer Butler | March 13

The Mountain West Conference announced Thursday all spring sports and remaining Mountain West winter sports championships will be canceled due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. The cancelations follow the NCAA’s order to cancel all spring and winter events.  Cancelations include the 2020 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, which were slated to take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, this weekend.  The conference’s Board of Directors announced the decision shortly after the NCAA canceled all of its nationwide winter and spring championship events. The board had previously held these events to an “indefinite suspension” until March 12.

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News

UNM land will not be used for Gateway Center

Beatrice Nisoli | March 13

After weeks of debate, analysis and public comment-laden with controversy, the City of Albuquerque announced March 13 that the University of New Mexico has withdrawn its land from consideration for a possible Gateway Center location.  The lot in question is University property off of the I-25 Frontage Road and Lomas Boulevard and was among three finalists — the other two locations between the former Lovelace Hospital on Gibson and Coronado Park — that expressed interest in housing Albuquerque’s first-ever low-barrier, rehabilitative shelter to be open every hour of the day.  All three locations were considered due to their proximity to medical and transportation services as well as their affordability within the city’s $14 million budget approved by voters last fall.

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News

State high school basketball tournament continues without fans

Spencer Butler | March 13

THE PIT — The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) announced on Wednesday, March 11 that the state basketball tournaments would continue as scheduled, but without any fans in attendance at Dreamstyle Arena. The update comes in response to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's public health emergency declaration issued the same day due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Although many sporting events across the country have either been postponed or canceled entirely, the NMAA concluded after consultation with Lujan Grisham and recommendations from both the Departments of Health and Public Education that the tournament could continue at the Pit with only players and essential staff present. 

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News

UNM advises caution to students traveling over spring break

Joe Rull | March 13

With the extended break looming, UNM’s dedicated coronavirus webpage has updated its travel recommendations for students who plan to leave the state, stressing that students should “avoid spring break travel to areas with active community transmission of COVID-19”.  Following a New Mexico State University (NMSU) announcement Friday morning that its spring break would be extended to two weeks and the three-week closure of public primary and secondary schools throughout the state, UNM President Garnett Stokes followed suit, announcing Friday that UNM’s spring break would be extended through April 5. 

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News

UNM extends Spring Break to April 5 amid outbreak

Justin Garcia | March 13

The University of New Mexico will close for three weeks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to UNM officials.  Friday's announcement coincides with the tenth confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Mexico and national emergencies. While no cases have been confirmed on Main campus, UNM said the preventive measure was essential for preventing further spread of the disease. 

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News

COVID-19 pandemic may impact US census count in New Mexico

Lissa Knudsen and Alex McCausland | March 13

The COVID-19 pandemic may mean an even lower census count in New Mexico this year — which could lead to the loss of hundreds of millions in federal funding over a decade. In 2010, New Mexico was the second most undercounted state in the nation, according to outreach campaign NM Counts 2020. In a statement released on March 12, the Census Bureau said depending on future COVID-19 recommendations from public health officials, they may need to delay or discontinue nonresponse follow-up visits in particular communities but will attempt to adapt their operations to ensure they get a complete and accurate count.

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News

Faculty prepare as expectations rise to move classes online

Makayla Grijalva | March 13

As the number of COVID-19 cases increase in the state, University of New Mexico faculty have quickly adjusted and are beginning to move many classes to an online format.  On the morning of March 12, an All-Faculty message solidified that classes would not be canceled after spring break as of yet, but encouraged faculty to decrease in-person interactions. 

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News

ASUNM: Fiestas canceled

Justin Garcia | March 12

Fiestas, one of the largest and most expensive events on campus, has been canceled for 2020.   The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM) announced the event’s cancellation over a press release Thursday. Student Special Events (SSE), the ASUNM entity that hosts the densely-populated event, canceled Fiestas because of the growing spread of the novel coronavirus.   According to the New Mexico Department of Health, there are six cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico as of March 12. Shortly before the fifth case was announced, the New Mexico Secretary of Health banned large gatherings over 100 people. 

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News

ASUNM approves fee raise after students reject first attempt

March 12

SUB — The undergraduate student government pushed through a $5 fee raise Wednesday that was identical to the proposal students failed at the ballot box just hours before. The fee raise, which would increase the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico $20 fee by $5, will appear on the April ballot for the senatorial elections. While a majority of undergraduates (56%) supported a 25% undergraduate government fee increase, the referendum did not clear the two-thirds majority required to raise the fee in the three-day election.