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Division for Equity and Inclusion prepares to release campus climate survey

Annya Loya | February 20

  Beginning March 1 and ending on April 23, the Division for Equity and Inclusion at the University of New Mexico will release a student climate survey for students across UNM’s main campus, the School of Law and branch campuses, according to the DEI website.  The goal of the research is to conduct climate surveys that represent the full diversity of the UNM community, according to Assata Zerai, principal investigator and vice president for the DEI. Campus climate is generally defined as “current attitudes, behaviors and standard of faculty, staff, administrators and students concerning the level of respect for individual needs, abilities and potential,” according to professor Susan Rankin from Pennsylvania State University.

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Culture

Award-winning poet and UNM alumnus returns for poetry reading

Annya Loya | February 20

  On Thursday, Feb. 16, award-winning poet Jake Skeets visited the University of New Mexico, his alma mater, for a poetry reading from his book “Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers” at George Pearl Hall. Skeets read five poems: three from his book collection and two unpublished works. Throughout the event, he explained the significance and background of each poem. The event was followed by a Q&A session and book signing. On Friday, Feb. 17, Skeets led a poetry master class in Dane Smith Hall, which was open to all UNM students, faculty, staff and the general public, free of charge.

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Culture

REVIEW: ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is big fun of average quality

Jessica Baca | February 20

  This review contains spoilers On Friday, Feb.17, the Marvel Cinematic Universe released “Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania.” It is an excellent edition for the MCU, though this movie is not one of my favorites from the MCU. It is, however, the best “Ant-Man” movie yet. Even though this is not in my top ten favorite Marvel movies, that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. It still had a ton of laughs and featured some amazing world-design for the Quantum Realm. The film follows Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the Wasp (Evangeline Lily) and family as they get sucked into the Quantum Realm against their will. They are forced to find a way out with Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) looking for them.

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Culture

REVIEW: Hogwarts Legacy is an enchanting open-world delight

Aldo Jurado | February 20

  Friday, Feb. 10 saw the release of the long-awaited and highly controversial “Hogwarts Legacy,” an open world role-playing game based on the “Harry Potter” novel series. The game sold 500 million copies through Steam on its release day alone, and for good reason: the game provides you with the opportunity to inhabit the world of “Harry Potter” in a sprawling, fun experience, even if it can be somewhat overwhelming at times. The game starts with you as a new student at Hogwarts: there is a mystery afoot around your presence at the infamous school. It is later revealed that your character uses an ancient type of magic, setting in motion the subsequent events of the game.

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Sports

Women's basketball: Lobos stay steady for the win

Thomas Bulger | February 20

  On Saturday, Feb. 18 the University of New Mexico women's basketball team defeated the San José State Spartans 70-61. The Lobos are on a 3-game winning streak and are now 17-11 overall and 9-6 in conference play. In a game where they nearly gave up multiple double-digit leads, the Lobos were resilient and found a way to win. They played smart basketball down the stretch and only fouled nine times during the game. They ultimately lost the rebounding battle 43-42, but fought for every ball. The team shot 22-26 from the free-throw line. The Lobos had four players with double-digit scoring with Vianè Cumber leading the team  with 16; she made four 3-pointers. Amaya Brown had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

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Culture

Campus greenhouses provide control for research, peaceful space

Maddie Pukite | February 20

  Castetter Hall at the University of New Mexico is home to several greenhouses, utilized for everything from research to serving as a peaceful oasis on campus for students to gather and study, according to greenhouse manager Wesley Noe, who cares for the public greenhouse and teaching labs, along with providing support for the researchers. Housed in Castetter Hall, biology students can utilize the numerous greenhouses for research purposes, according to Noe. Alongside faculty, graduate students are also able to use the greenhouse for their research projects.

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Culture

5 and Why: 5 fresh book recommendations

Zara Roy | February 20

 As a college student overloaded with essays and homework, it can be difficult to settle down with the book that’s been sitting on your desk for months to read for pleasure. For those wanting to jump back in and reignite their love of reading, University of New Mexico freshman Faryn Long shared her favorite recently discovered pageturners worthy of a glance from her fellow bookworms. 

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Culture

UNM students celebrate friendship at ‘Galentine’s Day’ event

Detroit Kallunki | February 16

  On Monday, Feb. 13, the University of New Mexico hosted a “Galentine’s Day” celebration in the Student Union Building atrium. With a combination of information tables and fun holiday activities, the event was equal parts entertaining and educational; conversations around consent and activism were a focal point, according to event organizer Courtney Love. Several tables sporting festive pink and red tablecloths were set out in the atrium. Students could circle each table and participate in cookie decorating and card making. Attendees also took turns in front of a decorative backdrop to have their photos taken by Love with a polaroid camera.

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Sports

Men's basketball: Lobos stunned at home by Wyoming

Thomas Bulger | February 16

  On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Lobos lost to the University of Wyoming Cowboys 70-56. The Lobos are on a four-game losing streak and were without Jaelen House for the second game in a row due to injury; Donovan Dent started in his place. The Lobos are now 6-7 in conference play and fell to sixth place. With another loss, the Lobos will need to win the rest of their games to be invited to March Madness. Winning the Mountain West conference tournament would also secure a spot in the NCAA tournament, though. The Lobos lost the rebound battle 39-32 which led to 16 second-chance points for the Cowboys. UNM made just 21 of their 57 shots.

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Culture

REVIEW: 2023 Super Bowl halftime show doesn’t quite ‘shine bright like a diamond’

Elizabeth Secor | February 16

  Households across the U.S. tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday Feb. 12. Did I watch any of it? Nope. However, I did start paying attention when the halftime show began and Rihanna replaced the football players on the field. I found the halftime show a bit lackluster, but still enjoyable. Rihanna’s singing and the set list was what made the show for me. The performance included songs I easily recognized to ones I didn’t — though this may be because I realized I don’t listen to nearly as much Rihanna as I thought I did. The set list included songs like “Work,” “Run This Town” and “Diamonds.”

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News

UNM considers COVID-19 vaccine mandate lift

Annya Loya | February 13

  On Feb. 6, the University of New Mexico’s Office of the President's communications team shared that the UNM administration is debating lifting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students, staff and faculty via email. The debate on whether or not to lift the vaccination mandate was brought to light based on recommendations from the University’s Health Protocols Committee and a discussion with the administration. “While we know that COVID-19 is not over and that we must remain vigilant in protecting ourselves against the virus, it is transitioning into a more manageable endemic phase in our state and across the country,” UNM President Garnett S. Stokes wrote in the email.

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News

UNM celebrates Black History Month

John Scott and Zara Roy | February 13

  Feb. 1 marked the start of Black History Month, a time to reflect, honor and appreciate the history of Black people in the United States as to further incorporate these discussions into the broader mainstream discussion outside of the month of February, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The University of New Mexico has a calendar full of events hosted by various departments to allow students to celebrate and enjoy the month.

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News

African-American Day at Legislature celebrates and furthers progress in New Mexico

Maddie Pukite and Zara Roy | February 13

  On Friday, Feb. 10, hundreds gathered at the state Capitol in Santa Fe to advocate for legislation that supports the Black community in the state. This was a part of African-American Day, a biannual celebration to recognize achievements in the African American community and educate on legislation which impacts them. This year’s African-American Day celebration was primarily focused on highlighting and educating on legislation surrounding African American issues. Specific legislation advocated for at the Capitol included a bill sponsored by Rep. Pameyla Herndon, the Bennie Hargrove Bill, which passed in the House on Thursday, Feb. 9. The bill would make it illegal to store a firearm so that it is not out of reach of children, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

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Culture

Multicultural Greek Council offers Greek life experience for all

Elizabeth Secor | February 13

  For a diverse array of students at the University of New Mexico, the Multicultural Greek Council fosters experience in leadership, collaborations across campus and much more through providing a space for cultural connection and community. The Multicultural Greek Council consists of nine sororities and seven fraternities, each of which aims to provide a space for their students to collaborate, communicate and support each other through community, according to their website. The multicultural Greek organizations on campus first founded the UNM MGC in order to form a community for students of color and help them through college and beyond, according to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. member Danielle Bell. She was particularly interested in joining the Divine Nine, a national council made up of nine historically black sororities and fraternities

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Culture

Black Education Act seeks to support Black students

Maddie Pukite | February 13

  The Black Education Act, which passed during last year's legislative session, has since been implemented to support Black students from preschool through higher education by giving students more resources and expanding curriculums to include the Black American experience. On Jan. 23, 2023, the Florida Department of Education blocked the inclusion of Black history in their school curriculum by blocking the creation of an AP African Studies course in the state, calling the course “a form of political indoctrination and a violation of state law,” according to NPR. This AP course follows others that already study different regions' histories, cultures, politics and languages, among other science and math classes. 

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Culture

OPINION: No way to justify the Oscars’ continual snubbing of Black artists

John Scott | February 13

  Casual and hardcore movie fans waited with bated breath on Tuesday, Jan. 24 to see what films would garner nominations for the 95th annual Academy Awards: would we see a best director nod for Gina Prince-Bythewood for “The Woman King?” or maybe Jordan Peele for “Nope”? Could Keke Palmer break through and grab a Best Supporting Actress — or even Best Actress — nomination?

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Culture

Black Student Union builds community through outreach, education and advocacy

Spenser Willden | February 13

  The Black Student Union, a Black student organization in the African American Student Services department at the University of New Mexico, aims to foster community for Black students through a combination of outreach, education and advocacy work. The BSU offers a space for Black students to connect with the community, both on campus and across the city, according to Nakia Jackson: BSU president and UNM junior majoring in signed language interpretation.

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Culture

OP-ED: Black is joy, community, culture and love

Imani Knox and Kaelyn Moon | February 13

 From Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, African Americans across the nation celebrate the impact Black culture has had on this country. They pay tribute to the ones who came before them and recognize the countless contributions that have been made by African Americans and their ancestors. This month, the hub for Black students on campus, African American Student Services, is centering the notion that Blackness is not a monolithic experience through the themes of Black joy, community, culture and love. 

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News

Congressional Black Caucus meets with Biden to push for police accountability

Ariana Figueroa | February 13

  This story was originally published by Source New Mexico The Congressional Black Caucus met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday evening to urge the administration to use its executive power for law enforcement reform, following criminal charges for police officers in the killing of a Black man in Memphis, Tennessee.  “My hope is this dark memory spurs some action that we’ve all been fighting for,” Biden said. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was beaten by five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop on Jan. 7 and died three days later. The five police officers have been fired and indicted in connection with his death.

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News

ASUNM balks at ‘of’ during senate meeting

Gabriel Saiz | February 9

  The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico passed a bill to make more room to fund student organizations special requests during the full senate meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Bill 4S gives ASUNM more flexibility to allocate money toward appropriations — one-time funding requests — and fall budgets of student orgs. Beginning this past fall, each undergraduate now pays an increased student fee of $35 per semester. Student publications receive 8.5% of the collected amount, while the remainder pays for everything ASUNM does.