Multimedia

News

Price for journalism accreditation unclear

Kyle Land | January 31

The Daily Lobo reported on Jan. 24 that the University of New Mexico Communication & Journalism Department was debating becoming reaccredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), citing a $30,000 price tag as the primary reason for possibly not going through the process. However, the exact cost of the process is more undefined because there are at least two discrepancies between ACEJMC and department heads regarding exact costs of the accreditation and what is required for it. In an interview with the Daily Lobo, C&J Department Chair David Weiss explained that the $30,000 figure was based off the total costs for the 2013-14 accreditation process.

---

News

Anderson School of Management names new interim-dean

Catherine Stringam | January 31

Earlier this month, the University of New Mexico instated Shawn Berman, Ph.D, as interim-dean of the Anderson School of Management (ASM). Berman is no stranger to ASM or its administration. He has been at UNM since 2007, holding many positions throughout his tenure. He is a professor of business and society, and said he enjoys teaching and connecting with students. He also conducts research in topics such as stakeholder theory, employee-employer relationships and issues of corporate governance. Berman was ASM’s acting dean for the entire year of 2017, until Craig White, Ph.D, took over. He then served as the ASM associate dean for accreditation and research during 2018.

---

Music

Concert Review: Hippo Campus rocks the Sunshine Theatre

Luisa Pennington | January 31

Hippo Campus brought glossy sounds and intimate vibes to the Sunshine Theatre on Monday night as part of their “Bambi” Tour. Titled after their second official album, the band’s first stop was here in Albuquerque. “Bambi” marks the band’s fifth headlining tour.The indie rock band Now, Now ...

---

Culture

Movie Review: "The Upside" is a good representation of life with disabilities

Tiffani Watteyne | January 31

In recent years, the movie industry has sought to bring more diversity and representation to theatres. “The Upside,” a drama/comedy based on a true story about a wealthy quadriplegic, has been anticipated by audiences since the release of its trailer back in October 2018. The film’s plot focuses on two main characters — Dell, played by Kevin Hart, an ex-convict struggling to find work and keep a relationship with his family, as well as Phillip, played by Bryan Cranston, a rich quadriplegic who is looking for someone to care for him. With the help of his assistant Yvonne, played by Nicole Kidman, he eventually meets and hires Dell knowing of his inability and lack of qualification to do the job.

---

Music

Music breaking the mold in 2019

Shayla Cunico and Sophia Sambrano | January 30

In 2018, women climbed the charts in various industries, with the music industry being no different. The rise of female recording-artists like Ariana Grande, the seemingly anonymous H.E.R. and Kali Uchis paved the way for more women to emerge into the spotlight. The emergence doesn’t stop at the Pop charts, rather spreading across all genres including R&B, Alternative Pop and Rap. As more women pop-up on our feeds, the charts foreshadow some of the talent that 2019 will flaunt.

---

News

What UNM lobbyists spend their money on

Danielle Prokop | January 28

The University of New Mexico, like many political entities, has been spending a lot of money at the New Mexico Legislature, or at least, the lobbyists they’ve hired as consultants have. According to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office a lobbyist is someone who is compensated to influence “official action,” which includes legislation. Lobbyists are legally required to publicly disclose their spending three times a year (in January, May and October). This includes both the amount they contribute to campaigns, and their expenses on the job.

---

News

UNM Athletics partners with ticketing agency

Cameron Goeldner | January 28

The University of New Mexico Athletics Department has announced a new partnership with Paciolan, a ticketing company that is part of the Learfield organization, to handle ticketing services for the University. In addition to handling ticketing at athletic venues, they will also be working Popejoy Hall. Learfield, the parent company of Paciolan, is a sports marketing behemoth that also partners with UNM and handles multimedia rights for Lobo Athletics through Lobo Sports Properties.

---

News

CNM and UNM receive $2 million humanities grant

Andrew Gunn | January 28

Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, obtaining a degree in humanities from Central New Mexico Community College or the University of New Mexico just got a little easier. The grant — which will be awarded over a three year period — provides $1.2 million for UNM and $800,000 for CNM in order to increase the number of humanities graduates in New Mexico. “Building Humanities Pathways: A CNM and UNM Partnership for Innovation and Success” is an initiative that will focus on a number of programs designed to facilitate the transfer of students between the two institutions, improve degree completion rates and emphasize the importance of an education in the humanities in an increasingly globalized and STEM-focused economy, according to the grant proposal.

---

Culture

"Weekend" vs. "Love, Simon": How to make an LGBTQ movie

Kyle Land | January 28

There was no shortage of big-name LGBTQ movies in 2018. However, no gay film got heterosexual people more excited to see two men kissing each other than “Love, Simon.” Unfortunately. One could really spend a good seven hours picking apart and dissecting the various flaws in the Greg Berlanti film. Besides the fact that Simon has virtually no character traits other than being gay and delves into all the stereotypes associated with coming out (including a cringey Google search on “how to dress like a gay guy”), the worst part about this movie is how Simon, from the very beginning, tries to appease all of the straight people in his life and how they treat him in response.

---

News

State Legislature to hold UNM Day

Justin Garcia | January 28

If you’re looking for an excuse to skip class this Monday, head up to the New Mexico State Legislature for UNM Day. There, in Santa Fe, representatives from various entities of the University of New Mexico will be tabling and lobbying at the legislature’s UNM Day. Anyone is welcome to watch the speeches, votes and other goings-on of New Mexico’s highest governing institution. This 60-day session will be especially impactful for UNM and the Lottery Scholarship. For example, House Bill 146 would change the Lottery Scholarship from a merit-based scholarship to a needs-based one. Eligible recipients “family contributions” as calculated in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) would have to be below 150 percent.

---

News

ASUNM President readies for busy semester

Justin Garcia | January 28

Emerging Lobo Leaders, Board and Committees Coordinator, senator, chairwoman and now president. Becka Myers has seen the many facets and functions of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico from many different sides. Now, as ASUNM President in her final semester at UNM, Myers has the opportunity to affect the future of the University in ways that few other in her position have had.

---

Sports

Men's Basketball: Lobo game ends in series of unfortunate events

Robert Maler | January 27

The Lobo men's basketball team overcame a sizable halftime deficit and even took a late lead — appearing to be in line for an improbable come-from-behind victory before a series of unfortunate events erased all of that. New Mexico (9-11, 3-5 MW) fell behind early — something Lobo fans have probably grown accustomed to by now — trailing 22-8 to Utah State a little more than halfway through the first half. There wasn't a lot to be cheerful about outside of a 9-0 run that encompassed back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers — one from point guard Keith McGee and a pair of triples from sophomore Makuach Maluach. That spurt and eight free throws accounted for all but 10 of New Mexico's 27 first half points. Senior guard Anthony Mathis was held scoreless, the team shot just 27.6 percent and UNM was probably fortunate to be trailing by just nine points at the half. But something happened after halftime and UNM looked like a completely different team. Head coach Paul Weir said the team spoke at halftime about playing basketball the right way — something that didn't happen in the first half. Despite what he described as looking young and not playing fundamentally sound in the opening frame, the team And for at least 20 minutes, the team exhibited the heart, grit and and passion that Lobo fans have been clamoring for all year. UNM big man Carlton Bragg poured in a turnaround jumper to open the scoring in the second half, but Utah State's Sam Merrill drilled a 3-pointer to push the lead back to 10 points — something he and his teammates did on five more occasions over the first seven minutes or so of the second half, denying the Lobos opportunities to mount a comeback. New Mexico had played much better in the second half up to that point, but still found itself trailing 50-40 with 12:51 to play after Merrill knocked down yet another 3-pointer.

---

News

Saved by the bill: House Dems push to reinstate sports

Kyle Land , Cameron Goeldner and Danielle Prokop | January 25

House Democrats introduced a bill Friday to give the University of New Mexico a reoccurring appropriation of $2 million to reinstate four sports. Led by House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chair Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), the money would be taken from the state’s general fund to restore men and women’s ski team, women’s beach volleyball, and men’s soccer. Other sponsors of House Bill 320 (HB 320), all Democrats, are representatives Antonio “Moe” Maestas, Javier Martinez, Sheryl Williams Stapleton and Speaker of the House Brian Egolf. Egolf told the Daily Lobo on election night that the sports cut by UNM would be reinstated, and new Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham had campaigned on a promise to bring the programs back.

---

News

C&J debates undergoing accreditation

Kyle Land | January 24

Heads of the University of New Mexico Communication & Journalism department are uncertain whether or not they will go forward with being re-accredited by an outside organization due to the cost and demanding requirements. The department first received accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) in 1955. The ACEJMC’s task is to accredit professional journalism and mass communication programs at universities and colleges across the country, according to the council’s website. Departments and programs are not required to go through the accreditation process.

---

News

Tense debate dominates ASUNM meeting

Justin Garcia | January 24

A long and confrontational debate arose in the Associated Students of University of New Mexico’s first full senate meeting of the semester. The debate regarded a $650 line item of an over $3,000 appropriation for LoboTHON after it was announced that ASUNM will be operating with an $99,852 budget. Last semester, ASUNM appropriated roughly $30,000. LoboTHON was eventually awarded $3,189 for costs associated with the group’s yearly dance marathon and travel fees for a conference in July. LoboTHON is a student organisation that raises money for the UNM Children's Hospital.

---

News

UNM professors work to save New Mexico's water

Megan Holmen | January 24

In a recent University of New Mexico community outreach project, “New Mexico Water: What our Next Leaders Need to Know,” UNM professors called upon recent Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham to protect New Mexico’s water. Recommendations from the project include: increased involvement in water issues by Lujan Grisham, assuring appropriate regulatory programs from federal agencies, addressing climate change and providing financial assistance to small communities to meet water needs. Bruce Thomson, one of the organizers of the conference that produced the project and a research professor in the Civil Engineering Department at UNM, said each year UNM holds a water conference and the most recent one focused on recommendations for the new governor.

---

Sports

Women's Basketball: Lobos defeat UNLV in overtime

Cameron Goeldner | January 24

The UNLV Rebels are one of only two teams in college basketball this year to come away with a win over the New Mexico Lobos, and they almost doubled up on their win in Las Vegas two weeks ago, but Katie Powell was unable to get a shot off for the Rebels down three in overtime, and the Lobos escaped with an 80-78 win in overtime. “This is UNLV. They’re hard for us to play against, hard for anybody to play against,” head coach Mike Bradbury said. “It’s hard to score against them, I thought we executed really well for the most part, and really good in overtime.” With the win, the Lobos move to 16-2 (6-1 MW) and drop the Rebels to 5-12 (3-3 MW) on the season. The Lobos retain their tie for second place with Utah State, one game behind conference leaders Boise State.

---

Culture

Movie Review: "Escape Room" offers exciting mystery film

Tiffani Watteyne | January 24

Since the beginning of 2019, there have been many movies that have piqued the interests of audiences everywhere. One of these movies, “Escape Room,” started out the year right. The movie centers around the drama/mystery genres and brings an entertaining, yet terrifying take to the new real world trend of escape rooms. Its main plot focuses on a group of six strangers — Zoey (Taylor Russell), Ben (Logan Miller), Jason (Jay Ellis), Mike (Tyler Labine), Amanda (Deborah Ann Woll) and Danny (Nik Dobani). All receive a puzzle box that when solved gave them an invitation to the escape room promising the winner a cash prize.

---

News

Photo Story: Opening Day of the New Mexico Legislature

Danielle Prokop and Anthony Jackson | January 23

Opening day of the New Mexico State Legislature saw packed hallways, handshakes and lots of kids. The November election brought Democrats control of the governorship and greater control of the House of Representatives. Before opening day, almost 500 bills were pre-filed. Some of those bills are making a second appearance thanks in part to a veto or pocket veto from former-Governor Susana Martinez.

---

News

Hemp legalization may boost New Mexican economy

Andrew Gunn | January 22

After a multiple decade-long hiatus from New Mexico’s agricultural fields, industrial hemp is growing anew in state soil. On Dec. 11, 2018, the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve the Hemp Cultivation Rule, making it legal once again for New Mexican farmers to cultivate the controversial, but lucrative, crop. Hemp, one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants, is a variety of the Cannabis sativa species without the high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component that causes the “high” when cannabis is consumed recreationally or medicinally. Hemp’s return to the state comes after a nearly 100-year absence, according to Agricultural and Environmental Services Division Director Brad Lewis.