News

News

Sports complex still in planning phase

Cathy Cook | February 5

UNM’s proposed entertainment complex project for South Campus — which officials previously estimated might begin construction this semester — is still in its feasibility phase, according to University Real Estate Director Thomas Neale. The entertainment complex was proposed in 2014 as a space for restaurants and live music to bring Lobo fans together as part of a broader effort by UNM to develop the area around University Stadium and WisePies Arena. The plans call for a 50,000 to 60,000 square foot building with 10 different restaurants and a live music venue, Neale said.

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Q&A: How institutions can help victims

Cathy Cook | February 5

Psychology professor Jennifer Freyd will be at UNM Monday at the invitation of Faculty for a Sexual Assault Free Environment and the Feminist Research Institute. Freyd specializes in betrayal trauma — when someone is traumatized after an incident involving someone they depend upon or trust — and will be talking specifically about institutional betrayal, when the perpetrator involves an institution. The Daily Lobo was able to talk with Freyd before her visit.

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What UNM can expect in 2017 from the DOJ investigation

Shelby Perea | February 5

The terms “Title IX” and “Department of Justice” have circulated the University of New Mexico’s classrooms, boardrooms and offices since the DOJ first began to investigate the University for its handling of sexual assault and sexual violence cases. That investigation has brought changes to policy and procedure. In October of last year, UNM announced they had reached a “formal three-year agreement” with the DOJ. Part of that agreement also outlined expectations for 2017-2018.

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Q and A: Legal discrimination then and now

Elizabeth Sanchez | February 5

The UNM Law School will host an exhibition, “Lawyers Without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany under the Third Reich,” from Tuesday, Feb. 7 through Friday, Mar. 11. Dickason Chair and Regents’ Professor of Law Sherri Burr will be giving a presentation on opening night on the correlations between Jewish, black and current history. She sat down with The Daily Lobo to discuss her role in the event and why subjects like these should be examined.

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Monday on the Street: Hollywood and politics

Matthew Reisen | February 5

Should Hollywood and politics mix?

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Campus car thefts on the rise

Gabriella Rivera | February 5

Car thefts have been on the rise, both around the city and on campus. According to Lieutenant Timothy Stump of UNMPD, car thefts on campus have nearly doubled from 64 car thefts in 2015 to 124 in 2016. Albuquerque as a whole now has the highest auto theft rate of any city in the country, according to Yahoo Finance, with about 677 auto thefts per 100,000 people. “It is a big epidemic,” Stump said. “It’s one of our main concerns right now, it’s been mine for a while. We have to determine what we can try to do to deter this. All year long we're making these assessments and trying to figure out how to combat this.” Stump also said the thefts are sporadic, with no specific areas on campus being targeted. In addition, it is difficult to identify the crime because of how quickly thieves can break in.

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How will "sanctuary campuses" fare under Trump?

Brendon Gray | February 5

Capping off his first week in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order placing federal funding for sanctuary cities into question. The order pits sanctuary jurisdictions against White House administration, and it raises the question: What is a sanctuary city, and what consequences will campuses that adopt sanctuary status face? Santa Fe, a longstanding sanctuary for immigrants, now faces losing millions in federal funding. The executive order, signed into law on Jan. 25, stated that jurisdictions unwilling “to comply with applicable federal law” will not receive federal funds.

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As Black History Month begins, potential for UNM Africana Studies on the rise

Sarah Trujillo | February 5

With the start of Black History Month, the UNM Africana Studies program is blooming with opportunities and growing in response to the political climate change occurring across the nation. Jamal Martin, a professor in the program, said changes at the local, state, national and global level directly affect the differences, similarities and challenges that lie ahead ahead for Africana Studies. “Undoubtedly, these public policy decisions concern behavioral economics and unfair resource allocation,” Martin said. “These decisions also correlate with national trends on educational policy, as well as curriculum development and its impact on essential learning objectives for the 21st century.”

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Over 200 sign letter asking administration to reinstate security fee for Yiannopoulos event

David Lynch | February 3

Milo Yiannapoulos has come and gone from UNM campus, but some members of the University community aren't shying away from pressuring administrators to reinstate a previously suspended security fee to the hosting group, UNM College Republicans, alleging that UNM gives "preferential treatment...to guests who engage in racist hate speech. The concerns were raised to UNM administrators in the form of a letter, signed by over 200 students, staff and faculty, as well as student groups such as KIVA Club and MEChA.

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Heartwarming and hair-raising: What it's like to wear a hijab

Celia Raney | February 2

I have walked home from campus 92 times since enrolling at UNM. Only once was I so hyper-aware of my appearance that I held tight to the pepper spray on my keychain. Oh, I forgot to mention: It was also the first time I tried on a hijab. In honor of World Hijab Day, a group of Muslim women gathered outside the UNM Bookstore late Wednesday afternoon. The event was organized by Power Through Peace and the UNM Muslim Student Association, with help from local activist Shakir Farid Abdullah. Abdullah also assisted in the organization of the march against President Donald Trump’s so called “Muslim Ban” at the Albuquerque International Sunport last Sunday.

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Webinar provides the facts for undocumented students under a Trump presidency

February 2

The UNM Division for Equity and Inclusion hosted a webinar this week exploring the potential repercussions facing the undocumented population in the midst of a transforming national political landscape. from Paper Clip Communications regarding “Undocumented Students: The New Administration & What It means for this special population” “There is no clue as to what the administration will do in regards to students who are undocumented, families are living in a great state of fear,” said Tatyana Kleyn, an associate professor at The City College of New York, as well as faculty advisor for the college’s Dream Team.

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Natural Sciences Program on the chopping block

Cathy Cook | February 1

On Tuesday morning, 18 students in the Natural Sciences Program sat with jars of water, ice and matches in front of them. They were going to make clouds. The matches were lit, dropped in the water and the ice bag placed on top. When the students lifted their bags, small clouds drifted out. The Natural Sciences Program is designed to teach science concepts to future teachers, with demonstrations that can be used in elementary school classes, covering topics from weather patterns to physics. Soon, just like those miniature clouds, the program will disappear.

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ART project causing delays for students

Brendon Gray | February 1

As Central construction chugs along, many student shuttle riders are still having to set their alarms a few minutes ahead. The Albuquerque Rapid Transit project began in the fall of 2016, and aims to decrease commute times by increasing foot traffic and modernizing Albuquerque’s public transit system. In the meantime, students who ride the shuttle are heading out the door earlier to make it to class. Alyssa Aragon, a freshman business major, takes the shuttle every day to and from Lobo Village. “I might not see a regular shuttle service until my junior year. It’s just kind of frustrating,” she said. During the peak of construction last semester, she noted the shuttle had to change its route which caused “at least” a five minute delay in the commute.

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Crime Briefs for Feb. 2

Elizabeth Sanchez | February 1

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana at Cornell Parking Structure On the early morning of Jan. 29, an officer was on patrol at the Cornell Parking Structure when he noticed a red vehicle on the rooftop, parked alone with the engine on, according to a report. The officer approached the driver’s side to conduct a welfare check of the vehicle’s occupants when he saw the driver holding marijuana in his hand. An 18-inch glass water pipe was also in plain view on the center console. Two juveniles were in the vehicle with the driver.

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Security fee policy under review due to free speech concerns

David Lynch | February 1

Just two days before controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to visit campus last week, University officials suspended a $3,400 security fee that the hosting group, College Republicans, were told they would have to pay. That decision, according to acting UNM President Chaouki Abdallah, was born out of a desire by UNM regents to take a look at the portion of University policy pertaining to security services, specifically in connection to free speech events. Now that policy is officially under review, but officials say there is no timeline for when the process may be completed. However, Policy Office Director Pamina Deutsch says any recommended changes submitted by University Counsel will be shared with the UNM community in order to be transparent.

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Trump's travel ban affecting over 100 UNM students with visas

Nichole Harwood | February 1

UNM students with visas — who are currently citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen — will be directly affected by the recent executive order signed by the Trump administration that temporarily bans all travel from these seven nations. Linda Melville, director for International Student & Scholar Services with the UNM Global Education Office, said there are 110 foreign students from these countries currently studying at UNM. Both students who were directly affected and those who stand to experience visa delays were contacted directly on Sunday through email, while a message was also posted on the GEO spotlight main webpage, Melville said. The GEO office is planning an information session specifically for students from the seven affected countries this Friday, Feb. 3 with details being sent directly to students through email, she said.

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Homeless camp found under campus

Elizabeth Sanchez | February 1

Last month, UNMPD and the Physical Plant Department discovered that at least one homeless individual had been living in the tunnel system below Northrop Hall, according to a UNMPD report. It was apparent that multiple homeless people had entered and exited the tunnel system. Clothing, trash bags, partially eaten food, empty water bottles, empty suitcases and other property that did not belong to the tunnel utility area lined the tunnel walls. A living area with chairs, a space heater, a hammock system attached to piping, bedding and other personal property that did not belong to the area was placed near a few steam pipes toward the end of the system, according to the report.

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Once scheduled for September finish, memorial courtyard set for June unveiling

Brendon Gray | February 1

Even after months of construction, orange fencing blocks off the grass in front of Hodgins Hall. The Karen Abraham Memorial Courtyard, named after the esteemed UNM alumna who served UNM for 45 years, carried symbolic importance for the University and its the Alumni Association. Construction was initially planned to be completed in September. Now, dedication is planned for early June. UNM regents placed construction on hold after expense miscommunications between the Alumni Association and the Board of Regents surfaced. According to documents from a Board of Regents finance committee meeting, the price of the project rocketed from $50,000 to nearly $400,000.

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Students travel to Santa Fe for UNM Day

Gabriela Garcia-Huff | January 31

Monday marked UNM’s annual excursion to the New Mexico Capitol as part of its recognition and celebration of the state’s flagship university, while also advocating for issues pertinent to the University community.

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Why University departments and groups attended UNM Day

Matthew Reisen | January 31

UNM Day at the state capital found many student departments and organizations making the trip to Santa Fe to advocate for University issues. The Daily Lobo visited Santa Fe to check in with several organizations present, and ask why they thought it was important to be present at the Roundhouse.