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News

UNM professor assists in vaping research

Amanda Britt and Lissa Knudsen | September 30

As vaping related deaths continue to rise in the U.S, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that there 805 confirmed cases of lung injury cases in the United States as a result of vaping, including 12 confirmed deaths. While the CDC reported that the specific chemical exposures causing lung injuries associated with electronic cigarettes are unknown at this time, a recent study by the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI) found vaping to impair lung function even in the absence of nicotine.

News

UNM professor gives talk on chocolate in Chaco Canyon

Caitlin Scott | September 30

University of New Mexico anthropology professor Patricia L. Crown gave a free lecture on the history of cacao in Chaco Canyon at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology on Sept. 28. Cacao is the bean from which cocoa products like chocolate are made. Crown spent decades researching chocolate consumption in Chaco Canyon. Studies show that cacao was domesticated around 5,000 years ago in South America, later spreading to other areas. One of the first people to drink chocolate beverages were the Mayans, who would make cylinders to hold them.

Culture

Club highlights vital role of bees in ecosystem

Makayla Grijalva | September 30

Honeycomb glistened with golden morning hues as local beekeeper Bobby “Bee” Blanquez showed off one of his three honeybee hives to the University of New Mexico Beekeeping Club on Saturday. Blanquez and his wife, Camille Cunningham, have been keeping bees since 2012. "My name is Bee. That’s one reason (I began to keep bees)," Blanquez said. "We heard about bees dying, and once the bees go on Earth, you know that’s it. Our food supplies go out. We have bees because we want to support them." The couple doesn’t keep bees for the honey harvest, but rather primarily for their pollination abilities. They haven’t harvested honey from a hive since the spring of 2018 when one of their colonies abandoned the hive, leaving honey behind. "It's not for the honey, it’s for them. We do it for the bees," Blanquez said.

Culture

Ukekopelli Festival features music of the Beatles

Makayla Grijalva | September 30

The 6th annual Ukekopelli Festival kicked off last Friday with a concert featuring the hit-music of the Beatles. “The only festival that was anywhere near here was in Reno, Nevada. So, the local clubs, the local people that I knew, we decided we could have one ourselves,” Gary Wells said, one of the organizers of the festival. The theme was chosen because this year is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles last album “Abbey Road,” which Wells said defined rock’n’roll at the time of release. Performers at the concert included Brooke Adams, who played the entire “Abbey Road” album, and Bete-lele who also performed Beatles covers.

News

ASUNM: Senate approves constitutional amendment

Alex Hiett | September 30

For the first time in two years, the undergraduate student government passed a constitutional amendment. The unanimous vote cleared the first of three hurdles for the change to take effect. The amendment, passed on Wednesday, Sept. 25 by the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Senate, would hamper the Vice President’s ability to appoint Senators in the event of a vacancy. “It was a smart idea to think about what would happen if we needed to reach outside of the Spring 2019 election to potentially appoint new senators,” Current ASUNM Vice President Madelyn Lucas, noting that these types of appointments are rare. Every candidate who ran for Senate in spring 2019, became a senator, nearly triggering the process in question.

Sports

Lobos lose at Liberty

Reyes Gallegos | September 30

The University of New Mexico Lobos football team (2-2) lost 17-10 to Liberty University (3-2) on Saturday evening during an away game in Lynchburg, Virginia. The loss dropped UNM to a 2-2 record and dashed hopes of a 3-1 start for New Mexico, which would’ve been the first in 12 years. Instead, the Lobos start the season with same 2-2 record they’ve started with for the last five seasons. The game in Lynchburg was UNM head coach Bob Davie’s first back on the sideline since being hospitalized following UNM’s season opening win against Sam Houston State.

News

Where to get your flu shot

Megan Holmen | September 30

The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) will be holding a flu shot clinic on Tuesday Oct. 1 and Wednesday Oct. 2 in memory of UNM student Raymond Plotkin who passed away after contracting the H1N1 virus in 2009. The event is called #takeoneforRaymond. The event is open to students, staff and faculty who are 18 years old and up, but will only continue while supplies last, according to SHAC's website. SHAC holds free flu shot days because college students are at risk of contracting the virus — and a simple flu shot can prevent this. Students can get their free flu shots in the Student Union Building Atrium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Opinion

"Borderlands 3" meets all expectations

Caitlin Scott | September 26

On Sept. 13, game developer Gearbox Software released the highly anticipated "Borderlands 3" for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia and Microsoft Windows. "Borderlands 3" comes seven years after its predecessor "Borderlands 2". The game improves on previous outings yet stays familiar in the best ways possible. There are returning characters from "Borderlands 2" such as ClapTrap, Mad Moxxi and Lilith, as well as newcomers like Ava. "Borderlands 3" is a much bigger game than the first, second and pre-sequel. It adds many layers of customization, from character clothing to special abilities and weapon class modification. There is a little bit of everything for every play style.

Culture

Photo Story: Japanese Fall Festival

Sharon Schischilly | September 26

The Land of the Rising Sun illuminated New Mexico on Sunday, Sept. 22. The New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League (NMJACL) hosted its annual Aki Matsuri (Japanese Fall Festival) at the New Mexico Veterans’ Memorial in Albuquerque. For over 40 years, the annual event has celebrated Japanese culture and heritage. The founding families of the NMJACL, Nisei and Sansei (second and third generation Japanese-Americans), started the event in Albuquerque. "The festival is an annual event sharing the Japanese culture with the community," NMJACL President Steve Togami said. "It’s our main fundraiser to try and build a Japanese Culture Center in Albuquerque." Live demonstrations held throughout the event included sushi making demonstrations, origami folding and Ikebana flower arrangements. The food court offered Japanese food: Participants lined up to taste the many flavors of Japan. The food included Japanese hot dogs, sushi, spam musubi and more.

News

CIA funds professor at UNM

Alex Heitt | September 26

The University of New Mexico is building upon its relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The memorandum allows the agency to station an active-duty CIA operative on campus. UNM alumnus and CIA agent David Berg arrived on campus earlier this fall. Berg will be stationed at the University for two years, teaching classes and serving as a resource for students seeking career opportunities within the CIA. His classes will begin next semester and include Ethics in Cyber Intelligence, Technology, and Social Media for National Security, and Introduction to Global and National Security.

News

Crime Briefs: September 26, 2019

Makayla Grijalva | September 26

The weekly crime briefs are to give the students, faculty and staff at the University of New Mexico a quick look into the crimes reported on campus. They do not provide all perspectives of the incident. All of the information is retrieved through UNM Police Department incident reports. UNM student banned from campus for possession of firearms University of New Mexico senior Steven Do, 21, was banned from campus after police found two handguns and a rifle in his dorm room. The UNM Police Department went to his room in Alvarado hall earlier this month after they received reports that Do was receiving suspicious packages from gun sellers. He consented to a search of his dorm, in which the guns were found along with several other gun parts.

News

UNM sees another decline in enrollment

Justin Garcia | September 26

For the seventh consecutive year, student enrollment at the University of New Mexico has dropped — certain to cause a ripple of effects in funding throughout the University. Undergraduate enrollment fell 6.5% (16,170) for the fall 2019 semester, while combined graduate and professional enrollment fell 6% (6,130), contributing to a five-year decline of 16.67% (22,792). The Albuquerque Journal reported that UNM expects a $4 million budget shortfall as a result of the enrollment decline. In 2018, UNM saw a $10 million shortfall from a 7% decline.

Opinion

Best milkshakes around UNM

Alanie Rael , Megan Holmen and Amanda Britt | September 26

Eating with Wolves is back and shaking things up with another review from the staff at the Daily Lobo. Editors Amanda Britt, Megan Holmen and Alanie Rael rated local restaurants in the Downtown and EDo districts on both their chocolate and speciality milkshakes. As temperatures get colder and fall approaches, Standard Diner, Holy Burger and 66 Diner all offer great options for this end of summer favorite. Each milkshake was rated on the following criteria: taste, atmosphere, service and presentation.

Sports

Lobos claim shootout victory in 110th Battle of the Rio Grande

Alanie Rael | September 23

In a latest iteration of a 110-year running football rivalry, the University of New Mexico Lobos (2-1) defeated the New Mexico State University Aggies (0-4) 55-52 on Saturday afternoon at Dreamstyle Stadium in a tough competition that offered back and forth touchdowns from beginning to end. UNM head coach Bob Davie took a step down for his second game in a row due to medical concerns from earlier in the season. Run game coordinator Saga Tuitele stepped in as acting head coach and said that the victory was for Davie and his family during the postgame press conference.

News

Global climate strike rallies Albuquerque environmentalists

Megan Holmen | September 23

Burqueños gathered in downtown Albuquerque on Sept. 20 for the 2019 Climate Strike, which was also held concurrently in cities across the world. Climate change, drawing attention from millions across the world, was the driving force behind Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s public announcement in a meeting earlier this week that the City of Albuquerque passed a motion “Endorsing The Declaration Of A Climate Emergency, Creating A Climate Action Plan For The City Of Albuquerque.” “We have a plan to get to 100% renewable energy within the next 6 years... This emergency is about action,” Keller said. Keller said while other governments continue to use non-renewable resources, Albuquerque will be a leader and innovator in reducing its carbon footprint.

News

Outpost Ice Arena remodeled for new team

Alanie Rael | September 23

Outpost Ice Arena, home of the Albuquerque Ice Wolves junior hockey team, is getting a facelift. The brand new junior hockey team has begun their season on the road with an unfortunate 0-6 starting record. The highly anticipated team is using the local ice skating and hockey rink in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque for practices and games. The rink is currently undergoing renovations, costing team owner and broadcast mogul Stan Hubbard a total of $2 million. The renovations are seeking to upgrade the classic look of the original Outpost. However, according to Alyssa Loroach, the Ice Wolves’ director of communications and marketing, Hubbard is wanting to keep the integrity of the arena despite the new changes.

News

Photo Story: Rio Grande Rivalry tailgating

Emille Domschot | September 23

Every year, the annual Lobo vs. Aggie football game draws a huge crowd. This Saturday, Sept. 21, cars packed the South Lot before the game, and Lobo and Aggie supporters alike set up tents side-by-side with food, games and music. For some, the event is a family tradition. Ron Besanti, a registered nurse and proud UNM alum, said his family has held football season tickets for years. “Twenty-eight years, to be exact,” Besanti said. Not only do he and his wife hold master’s degrees from UNM, both of his sons are alumni as well. For others, it’s taken on a special meaning. One couple, who met at a Lobo football tailgate seven years ago, gave their wedding vows under an arch of flowers in the middle of South Lot before this year’s game.

Sports

UNM women's volleyball to begin conference play at CSU

Reyes Gallegos | September 23

The Mountain West women's volleyball conference tournament begins on Sept. 26 starting with a match up between San José State University and San Diego State University and concludes on Nov. 23 with San José facing off against the University of Wyoming. This tournament is comprised of eleven teams in the Mountain West conference. Each of the eleven teams will play a series of games to ultimately determine who will be the Mountain West Champion based on their conference play. The University of New Mexico women's volleyball team will officially begin their Mountain West tournament games against Colorado State University (CSU) this coming Thursday, Sept. 26. The matchup will prove to be a tough task for the Lobo team: Colorado State is the top ranked team in the Mountain West with an overall record of 9-1 and has been on an eight game winning streak, only losing a combined total of five sets in their first ten games.

News

Q&A with UNM women's basketball players

Angelina Pompeo | September 23

University of New Mexico women’s basketball players Aisia Robertson and Bride Kennedy-Hopoate are busy preparing for their 2019-2020 campaign. Robertson is originally from San Francisco and beginning her third year with the team. Kennedy-Hopoate transferred to UNM from Queensland, Australia last year. Although this is her second year on the team, it will be her first year garnering playing time for the Lobos. Both players are majoring in Liberal Arts. After college, both said they hope to play basketball professionally overseas, with Kennedy-Hopoate adding that she wants to eventually coach collegiate basketball. The two players recently spoke with the Daily Lobo about their college experience and playing for the UNM women’s basketball team.

Culture

Spirit Band integral part of UNM sports

Amanda Britt | September 23

Members of the Spirit Marching Band, a University of New Mexico musical ensemble, regularly perform and energize Lobo crowds during games and other events on campus and around the UNM community. The band enlivens Lobo fans during sports events and before and after games with their loud music, halftime shows and spirit. They take center stage on the field before kickoff and during halftime at football games, drive school spirit in the student section during games and perform in the tailgate lots. Brandon Rowe, Spirit Marching Band’s third-year co-drum major, said his role as a conductor of the show is to make sure the band has high energy and that they stay on task. He said this year the Spirit Marching Band has around 120 UNM student participants from a variety of majors and backgrounds — not just performance arts and music education majors.