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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.

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News

New Mexico sees anti-quarantine protest as deaths, cases continue to climb

Justin Garcia | April 20

SANTA FE — Circling the mostly empty state capitol building, about 16 cars blared their horns in a parade-style protest Monday afternoon. Many had adorned their vehicles with American flags and slogans like “F the Governor” and “Reopen New Mexico.” “High NOON drive around the Capitol — honk horns, paint cars or bring signs. SHOW UP. Do not park and walk — stay in your vehicles!” the event post on Facebook read.   The protesters called on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to “reopen” New Mexico after the state closed all non-essential business until at least April 30 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  While much more subdued, the Santa Fe protest coincides with protests across the country to reopen the United States’ shuttered economy, despite warnings about the lethal consequences of doing so.  The orders are meant to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus and are overwhelmingly endorsed by public health officials, doctors and researchers.  Still, fear of the virus that has killed 40,724 American’s as of April 18 — including 58 New Mexicans — was not enough to keep Monday’s protesters away. 

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Culture

Santa Fe Food Depot denies food donations during pandemic

Cameron Ward | April 20

Ever since COVID-19 has altered our lifestyles, many people have been looking to support the community. However, some food banks like the Food Depot in Santa Fe are denying food donations to prevent spreading the virus. Instead, they are asking for cash donations as a safer and more effective way of helping people across New Mexico in need of a meal.  The Food Depot has been known to distribute food to pantries across New Mexico as well as serving all 50 states.  According to their website, “the Food Depot does not want community members to give away resources that they may need should the crisis persist for longer than expected.”

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Culture

Yoga Club strives to post videos and tutorials online

Megan Gleason | April 19

With a practice that is so physically-based, the University of New Mexico Yoga Club is struggling to maintain a consistent club connection in an online setting.  These UNM yogis, or people that regularly practice yoga, have found themselves in an isolated environment with little time to connect together. The club is currently working on weekly online yoga classes through its Instagram page. Club President Katelyn Nicholas said online videos are still in the process of creation.

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News

30 candidates vying for 11 seats in ASUNM Senate

Alyssa Martinez | April 19

The student government senate election will persist in the face of the pandemic.  Although the election will be held in an online-only medium, that did not stop a record 30 candidates from attempting to occupy one of the 11 seats available. Undergraduates can cast their votes from Monday, April 20 at 9 a.m. through Wednesday, April 22 at 5 p.m. via their my.unm.edu portal. With the coronavirus shuddering the lives of many Lobos, some current senators previously aired concern about how this election's participation will be impacted. This time last semester, 10 of the 15 total candidates were elected by just 6% of all undergraduates. 

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News

SHAC to hold campaign addressing sex during COVID-19

Makayla Grijalva | April 17

The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) will hold a campaign over social media entitled “Sex during COVID-19” to address uncertainties surrounding the spread of the disease during intercourse.  “Intimacy and sex are more risky during a pandemic.” Health Promotions Manager Tiffany Martinez-Durant said. “So, that’s why we try and tell students if you’re actively dating someone where you are going to go meet up, you have to really vet your partner and consider the impact of public health, your loved ones, so forth and so forth.”  Martinez-Durant said although people are generally aware of how the coronavirus spreads there are still many facts surrounding COVID-19 that many are not aware of, such as how the virus was found in fecal matter.   

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News

UNM to receive $17 million for student relief

Liam Debonis | April 17

The University of New Mexico will receive at least $8.6 million from the federal government to use toward emergency relief grants for students.  The money comes from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund established by the recent Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In total, UNM will receive $17,266,512 in “advance funds” from the U.S. Department of Education, according to the recipient agreement contract released by the Department. Of that figure, a minimum of $8,633,256 must be awarded in emergency financial aid grants to students. 

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Culture

Black bean banana bread great vegan alternative even for pickiest eater

Loreena Cain | April 17

For many people, baking has been a way of passing time while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the recipes and the aprons came out of storage, the phenomenon of black bean bread surged in popularity on social media. This vegan black bean banana bread recipe is a fun way to have a tasty and healthy snack, whether you are vegan or not. It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and it is simple enough for someone with little to no baking experience to try out.

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Culture

Quarantine cuts

Alex McCausland | April 16

Tangled, greasy, bushy, overgrown, and unkempt.  As New Mexico’s quarantine restrictions continue to grow tighter, University of New Mexico students are forced to take matters into their own hands to tame their unruly hairs. Since Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close last month, New Mexico salons and barbershops have been out of commission. As a result, students who have grown accustomed to their regular trim, fade, shave and wax are having to get creative about how they maintain their favorite style at home. 

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News

UNMH employees protest lack of PPE

Liam Debonis and Bella Davis | April 15

Spaced apart following social distancing guidelines, University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) employees and allies waved signs and chanted as passing cars honked in a show of support on April 15. “What do we need?” one protester shouted. “PPE!” the crowd shouted back. They assembled in front of the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) to protest the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) accessible to the staff.

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Culture

Three easy meatless meals

Amanda Britt | April 15

As most of us are constantly stuck inside to avoid spreading COVID-19, one way to pass the time is by experimenting with different homemade meals.  Whether you want to help the environment or simply cannot find any meat left in the store, these three easy to make, meat-free meals are worth trying. 

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News

NM Supreme Court denies request for automatic mail-in primary

Andrew Gunn and Lissa Knudsen | April 14

The New Mexico Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously ordered county clerks to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters for the upcoming primary elections, while also denying their request for an automatic mail-in election. The ruling, which followed nearly two-and-a-half hours of constitutional quarreling and a lack of debate over public health consequences, means voters will have to fill out an absentee ballot application, complete the ballot at home and mail it in.  Otherwise, voters will have to go against the advice of public health experts and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s stay-at-home order to vote in person on June 2. Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover confirmed in a text with the Daily Lobo that county clerks will be sending applications to voters whose voter registration address is up to date and “everything else will remain the same — there will be early and election day voting,” Stover said.

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Culture

UNM student hosts Snapchat “Virtual Bachelor” to date while social distancing

Makayla Grijalva | April 14

Will you accept this virtual rose?  As the reality of the new age of social distancing and self-quarantine sets in, some University of New Mexico students like Alex Johnson decided to take a new approach to kindle new romances. Johnson began hosting a virtual dating competition mimicking ABC’s hit show “The Bachelor” complete with dates, rose ceremonies, testimonials and drama. “It’s fun. It’s weird,” Johnson said. “I’m glad that it’s happening, but it’s weird, you know.” 

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News

Pay and safety top UNM staff concerns

Bella Davis | April 13

On April 2, the University of New Mexico announced that its period of limited operations was extended to April 30 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. With this extension comes new challenges for UNM staff.  One of the biggest changes that came as a result of the extension relates to staff pay.  Since the period of limited operations began, all employees have been sorted into three work tiers. Tier one employees are working physically on campus, tier two work remotely and tier three are on standby and available to report to work if needed.  Regular staff in all tiers will continue to be paid until April 30, per new guidelines sent out by UNM Human Resources. However, no decisions have been made past April 30, according to HR Strategic Support Manager Amber Bailey.