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Reclaim the Red brings attention to campus sexual assault

Kelly Urvanejo | September 14

Sexual assault is a pervasive issue on college campuses across the country, according to Tina Zuniga, program coordinator of the University of New Mexico’s Reclaim the Red campaign. “At the University of New Mexico, we have several resources available to support survivors like the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center, LGBTQ Resource Center, the Women’s Resource Center and SHAC,” Zuniga said. The first six to nine weeks of the fall semester, labeled “The Red Zone,” are when college campuses experience the most sexual assault, said Gracie Schneiderman, president of Peers for Advocacy, Wellness and Safety.

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Women's rugby team receives funding

Brendon Gray | September 14

The Associated Students of UNM rallied behind the women’s rugby team Wednesday and unanimously approved its more than $15,000 semester appropriation. The $15,586 given to the club will cover the price of a cross-country trek for its national tournament and other away games. The figure will be one of the largest of the semester, said Sen. Francine Briones, chair of the Finance Committee. The women’s team was approved for nearly $4,000 more than the men’s team, which received $11,800 earlier this month. “It’s good to see we have the full support of the ASUNM Senate,” said Anissia Savic, Women’s Rugby Club treasurer who presented to the Senate during the hearing.

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Coach Davie under investigation

Matthew Narvaiz | September 14

Lobo head coach Bob Davie is under investigation for a suspected compromised drug testing program and the mistreatment of players, according to an article posted to the New Mexico Fishbowl on Sept. 13. According to the report, an outside investigator was hired by the University to look into the allegations made against the head coach. “I can confirm there is an investigation underway in Athletics,” UNM spokesperson Cinnamon Blair said to NMFishbowl.com. “We are not going to comment on the details or the individuals involved until the investigation is complete.”

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Crime Briefs for Sept. 14

Elizabeth Sanchez | September 13

Battery on a healthcare worker at Mental Health Center On Sept. 5, an officer was sent to the UNMH Mental Health Center in reference to a battery, according to a report. When the officer arrived, a doctor said a juvenile patient was brought into the facility for treatment. The doctor said she was speaking with another individual in one of the triage rooms when the juvenile stood up, became upset and started to punch the doctor in the face. The doctor said the patient hit her ten times in the face with both hands, causing an injury to her right eye — a one-inch swollen red square, directly under the right corner of the doctor’s eye.

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Lottery cut hits students hard

Brendon Gray | September 13

Kelly McNeil was one of the thousands of students who relied on the Lottery Scholarship to finance her education. “Basically all I had was that Lottery,” McNeil said. This year, close to 26,000 students who benefit from the scholarship are receiving significantly less help. During the 2015-2016 school year, the scholarship dropped 10 percent, and this summer, the scholarship fell 30 percent, leaving recipients with 60 percent of the initial scholarship offerings. McNeil was one of the many Lottery beneficiaries working part-time and going to school full-time. During her last semester, McNeil was consistently trying to work more hours, she said. At one point, she was working an additional part-time job too.

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WisePies Arena and University Stadium get new signs

Cameron Goeldner | September 13

For Larry Chavez, CEO of Dreamstyle Remodeling, last week was a dream come true, as the signs bearing the name of his company went up at The Pit and formerly known University Stadium. “It’s pretty incredible; when I saw the sign up at the stadium, I got goosebumps,” Chavez said. “I think it’s been told that my first job was selling sodas when I was 14-years-old at the stadium, so it’s been phenomenal. To see it on TV and read it in print, and one thing or another, it’s kind of surreal. It’s like a dream come true.” Last May, the University announced that Dreamstyle had pledged a $10 million gift as part of an agreement that both Wisepies Arena (aka The Pit) and University Stadium would be renamed after the company. There will be an initial payment of $1 million with annual payments of $900,000 through 2027.

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UNM continues Red Rally tradition

Brendon Gray | September 10

The annual Red Rally brought out several hundred students to Johnson Field last week, looking to catch a glimpse of a 25-foot New Mexico State Aggie burn to the ground. The effigy, made of piping, chicken wire and newspaper took weeks for student volunteers to complete. Once ablaze, the mascot only stood for a few minutes. “This is absolutely UNM’s most recognizable tradition,” said Kaylie Huizenga, executive director of the Associated Students of UNM agency, Lobo Spirit, which spearheaded the event.

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UNM teaches students how to respond to DACA repeal

Madison Spratto | September 10

More than 200 people gathered in the Rodey Theater on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus Sept. 8 for a Know Your Rights training. Sponsored by the UNM Sanctuary Campus Working Group, the training was held in response to the recent decision made by President Donald Trump to recind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. “DACA itself was an executive action; it was not law,” said Eduardo Esquivel, education equity organizer for the New Mexico Dream Team and a biochemistry major at UNM. “We knew from the beginning that it was something up in the air — that is, wasn’t going to stay forever.” Anyone with DACA benefits expiring before March 5, 2018 must apply for a two-year renewal by Oct. 5. 2017, Esquivel said.

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Crime Briefs for Sept. 11

Elizabeth Sanchez | September 10

Intoxicated student at Redondo Village On Aug. 27, an officer was dispatched to the west side of Redondo Village in reference to an intoxicated male that dorm security located while on patrol, according to a UNMPD report. When the officer arrived, the male was face-down in the grass, breathing but unconscious. The person who reported the incident said the male said he had “very little to drink” before he passed out. The officer found a wallet in the male’s back pocket and was able to identify the male using a New Mexico driver’s license. He is a student living in the Redondo Village dorms.

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UNM spokesperson steps down

Brendon Gray | September 10

The University of New Mexico’s primary spokesperson Dianne Anderson left her position earlier this month amid an effort to retool the position. She said the she is relocating to Florida where her husband has taken a new job. Anderson joined the UNM community in 2012 after a more than 20-year career in local TV news. The position came with numerous responsibilities that included handling media requests, writing stories for UNM’s Newsroom website and working on strategic messaging for the University.

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Vet Center hosts first Suicide Awareness Day

Madison Spratto | September 10

The University of New Mexico’s Veteran Resource Center is hosting UNM’s first Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day on Sept. 26. Sept. is also National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. More than 41,000 people commit suicide each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2015, New Mexico had the fourth-highest suicide rate in the U.S. according to the New Mexico Health Department.

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Red Rally showcases school spirit before NMSU game

Aaron Cowan | September 7

If you missed Zozobra or Burning Man, then you’re in luck. The University of New Mexico has a similar tradition during its 12th annual Red Rally Bonfire and Pep Rally, hosted by ASUNM’s Lobo Spirit Committee. This year’s rally begins at 8 p.m. Thursday on Johnson Field and will feature UNM’s Spirit Squad, Marching Band, members of the UNM football team and, of course, a 25-foot tall Aggie effigy to be burned to prep before the NMSU-UNM game.

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DACA supporters rally in response to Trump's actions

Alison Luttrell | September 6

Students, staff and faculty gathered together on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus and marchedTuesday morning in an act of solidarity for fellow immigrant community members. After a weekend of rumors, President Donald Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program early Tuesday morning. DACA was implemented under the Obama administration and gives its recipients refuge from deportation and the ability to work in the United States. The deconstruction of the program will impact roughly 800,000 youth immigrants, approximately 8,000 of which are New Mexico residents eligible for DACA — 6,815 of the residents are already DACA beneficiaries.

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ASUNM begins year with budget surplus

Brendon Gray | September 6

A nearly $20,000 budget excess has returned to the Associated Students of UNM to finance items cut last year. The balance forward — totalling $18,877 — will be used to restore the funds of the ASUNM agency, Lobo Spirit, which hosts spirit events like this week’s Red Rally. The balance forward is paid for by a portion of extra money not used by ASUNM entities. Specifically, $11,196 is coming from the Southwest Film Center, $2,575 from the Elections Commission and $5,105 from Lobo Spirit itself.

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Hiring freeze puts pressure on UNM departments

Nichole Harwood | September 6

The University of New Mexico’s hiring moratorium has been ongoing since Sept. 2016 and has resulted in an elimination of vacant positions — causing concern for some departments. “Campus-wide, we have eliminated approximately 120 vacant positions since November 2016 through the hiring moratorium and vacant position review process,” said Kevin Stevenson, director of University HR business services. Feedback on the process addressed concerns from UNM departments and employees, who are continually being asked to take on more job responsibilities using fewer resources, impacting the University's current employees, Stevenson said.

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Former Lobo killed in shooting

Cameron Goeldner | September 6

Former UNM Football player Meiko Locksley, the son of former UNM head coach and current Alabama co-offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, was shot and killed in Baltimore, Md. on Sunday, Sept. 3. He was 25-years-old. Alabama head coach Nick Saban confirmed the news during his weekly press conference last Monday. Locksley was shot outside of his home Sunday night and found by a neighbor who was one of multiple people to call 911; the callers reported hearing a single gunshot just before 10:30 p.m.

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Despite prevention efforts, spam still plagues LoboMail inboxes

Brendon Gray | September 5

For many at the University of New Mexico using LoboMail, spam emails come with the territory. For Eden Vigil, a UNM senior, spam means “non-stop” emails asking for passwords or soliciting jobs. She receives as many as two emails daily. Often, the senders claim to be from UNM’s “IT Desk,” she said. Vigil is not alone. Though only five percent of the millions of daily spam emails make their way to student inboxes, the effect of spam is widespread.

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Brief: Students walk out in defense of DACA

Celia Raney and Celia_Raney | September 5

“The University of New Mexico supports DACA students, supports everyone who is on this campus,” said Chaouki Abdallah, University interim president at a Defend DACA walkout on UNM campus Tuesday. Several hundred students joined together Tuesday morning to show their support for immigrants, specifically those benefitting from the Deferred Actions For Childhood Arrivals program. Many students did not attend class, walked out early or were released by instructors who also wanted to show their support.

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Fall Sports Issue: Football ticket price drops for upcoming season

Cameron Goeldner | September 4

The UNM Football program announced during the offseason that it is lowering season ticket prices by 10 percent across the board in an effort to bring more fans into Dreamstyle Stadium. In addition, the program has announced single-game promotions for the year — this started with last Saturday’s game against Abilene Christian. "We are constantly evaluating ways to get more fans to come enjoy Lobo football, and we have a product that we are very proud of," former Athletic Director Paul Krebs said in a release at the time of the announcement.

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UNM names Nuñez as new Athletic Director

Gabriella Rivera and Cameron Goeldner | August 31

Eddie Nuñez, the Deputy Director of Athletics for Louisiana State University, has been named the 13th Athletic Director for the University of New Mexico, Interim President Chaouki Abdallah announced on Thursday. "We had a good search process that yielded three qualified and personable candidates," Abdallah said in a release. "We were looking for a leader who is dedicated to academic excellence, strong ethics, careful financial management and community engagement. The committee and I agreed that Eddie is the right person for this key position at UNM. Welcome to our Lobo family, Eddie.” Nuñez will replace Paul Krebs, who served in the position from 2006 until his retirement last June.