News - The Daily Lobo

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Zoo penguins still a long way from reality

Taylor Mallak | March 20

Since 2008 talk has circulated about the Albuquerque zoo getting penguins, but little progress has been made. Barry Bitzer, Director of Development for the BioPark, said the reason as to why the penguins have yet to make progress in New Mexico is funding. The type of penguin the zoo is trying to get has many needs. “This is an $8 million project,” Bitzer said. “Because we’re talking Antarctic penguins, that means chiller systems and backup chiller systems.”

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School of Law ranks in top 100 in country

Sayyed Shah | March 19

UNM’s School of Law has been ranked among the top 100 in the country in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 Best Law Schools List. The school was placed 71st among 149 law schools, according to the report. It shared the position with American University, Pennsylvania State University and University of San Diego, according to the ranking list.

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ASUNM, GPSA urge election turnout

David Lynch | March 19

As students return from spring break and the semester chugs on, UNM’s student governments are gearing up for one of their biggest events of the year – elections. The Associated Students of UNM as well as the Graduate and Professional Student Association both have their elections in early April, with the presidential seats in both governing bodies for the 2015-16 school year up for grabs.

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Crime briefs for March 19

March 19

On March 13, a Bursar’s Office employee reported to UNM police in reference to fraud. According to the report, $8,769 was deposited into a student’s bursar’s account on March 3. The deposit was made via automated clearing house. On March 6, the deposit was then returned for non-payment, which resulted in a net-loss for UNM.

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Grads hurting in job market

Thomas Romero-Salas , Liam Cary-Eaves and Aaron Anglin | March 19

Receiving a diploma often warrants admiration and a sense of accomplishment on many levels, but can also bear the uneasy feeling of life after school. The majority of UNM students are not joining the workforce following graduation, according to data from UNM’s Office of Career Service. Jenna Crabb, UNM’s director for career services, said colleges and potential employers have begun to encourage students to get experience in their respected field instead of solely obtaining a degree and expecting a job.

Journalism alumna Paula Bauman suits up as Princess Unicorn in her home office Monday afternoon. Princess Unicorn is a persona that Bauman puts on to "inspire and empower" children of all ages during birthday parties and other events.

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Geek Edition: Princess alum creates as role model for NM kids

Marielle Dent | March 18

The early experiences people have as children tend to shape the interests, values and beliefs they carry throughout adulthood. Paula Bauman, a communications alumna, understands this. She is working to become a role model for children—particularly young girls—with the creation of her original character, Princess Unicorn.

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Geek Edition: Some still feel excluded from geek community

Jyllian Roach | March 18

It’s a long-standing image: A guy, usually pale, usually in glasses and a button-up shirt. He spends his days in a science lab and his nights playing games with similar-looking friends. While most people would immediately recognize this as a description of a geek, the reality of who fits the geek mold is changing.

John Cochrane, left, and Ben Cole wait for a design to form on the 3-D printer at QueLab on March 10. QueLab aims to bring locals together to innovate ideas on technology and to use the facilities to work on personal projects.

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Geek Edition: Quelab is 'hackerspace' for creativity

Jonathan Baca | March 18

For all those people who took apart their Nintendos and put them back together as kids, for those who build things with wood or steel or circuits or wool — there is a place for you in Albuquerque. Enter the nonprofit “hackerspace” Quelab, a literal warehouse full of tools and supplies of every kind, from sewing machines and soldering irons to 3D printers and high tech laser engraving machines.

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UNM out two regents

Jonathan Baca | March 17

The Democrat-controlled New Mexico Senate voted not to confirm one nominated regent and another veteran regent resigned in protest of the Senate's actions. Former Clovis prosecutor and Republican Matt Chandler was appointed to the board by Gov.

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Criticism from resolution leads to ASUNM to post copy

David Lynch | March 17

For the first time in about a year, the Associated Students of UNM have posted a copy of a finished and signed resolution online to address backlash and criticism that have hit the student governing body since its passing. Several University students and Albuquerque citizens voiced their criticism of Resolution 6S, which passed unanimously at ASUNM’s March 4 meting, and urges University administration to state their “opposition of Islamophobia, and related hate crimes”.

A Camp Resurrection resident relaxes outside his home on Monday afternoon. Residents of the previous tent cities have relocated to a plateau on the northeast corner of Lomas Boulevard and I-25. Residents of Camp Resurrection are awaiting city approval to make this area their permanent home.

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Tent City community moves to new location

Matthew Reisen | March 17

Tent City residents have moved yet again – this time closer to UNM’s campus – while advocates hope to find a permanent solution to help them stay grounded. Tentatively called Camp Resurrection, the new lot is situated on a plateau on the Northeast side of Lomas Boulevard and I-25.

People gather at Marble Brewery on Feb. 25th to enjoy drinks and interact with fellow bar-goers. Lizard Tail Brewing received the Small Brewing Company of the Year award at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival.

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Albuquerque becoming a hot place for a cold one

Mychal Miltenberger , Kyle Lord and Scott McCoy | March 16

By Mychal Miltenberger, Kyle Lord and Scott McCoy The craft brewing industry is alive and well in Albuquerque. The city boasts 26 breweries and brewpubs, with reports of more on the horizon this year.

Jill Jurkiewicz records Andrew Nances speech for the Albuquerque Peoples Tribunal on Police Brutality meeting on Saturday afternoon at Kinley Avenue. Nance was one of many speakers who spoke about the impact police brutality has on the community.

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Community tribunal puts APD on trial

Jonathan Baca | March 16

On the one-year anniversary of homeless camper James Boyd’s death at the hands of the Albuquerque Police Department, activists and community members gathered in a dusty downtown warehouse in search of a little street justice. Activist group ABQJustice, with help from other community groups, held the Albuquerque People’s Tribunal on Police Brutality on Saturday. The event, which was open to the public, featured the results of a six-month-long, street-level investigation of “prejudice and racial bias” in the APD. American Studies professor and ABQJustice member David Correia helped compile the investigation and presented the group’s findings at the tribunal.

Sam Costales, retired from APD after 20 years, speaks at the 2015 Police Violence and Social Control lectures on Thursday at the SUB. Costales spoke about topics such as excessive force, police involved sexual assault and how hard it was for him to speak out about things he witnessed.

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Retired officer talks APD abuses

Jonathan Baca | March 6

In 2006 veteran Albuquerque Police Department officer Sam Costales testified in court against Bernalillo County Sheriff’s officers in a high-profile case involving the unjustified and abusive arrest of racecar driver and local celebrity Al Unser, Sr. After the case against Unser was thrown out, then-APD Chief Ray Shultz opened a new investigation — into Costales, for breaching the “blue wall of silence” and turning on fellow law enforcement agents. Costales said he was forced into retirement, but was eventually awarded $662,000 in a lawsuit against the city. Since then, Costales has become an activist, speaking out against the brutality and abuse of power he witnessed during his 20-plus years as an APD officer.

News

Legislature moves two lottery bills

Marielle Dent | March 6

Two bills that could affect UNM’s lottery scholarship recipients are making headway in the state Legislature. Senate Bill 286, which would send forfeited lottery prizes to the scholarship fund, will advance to the Senate after the Senate Finance Committee approved the bill. And Senate Bill 355, approved with a 25-16 vote, would allow debit cards to be used to purchase lottery tickets. Supporters of SB 355 said it could increase lottery ticket sales and lead to larger prize amounts, which would in turn boost funding to the scholarship in the long run. However, the bill would also eliminate the requirement that at least 30 percent of lottery revenue be dedicated to the scholarship fund.

Members of Muslim Student Association, Omkulthoom Qassen, left, Sarah Hassan, middle and Ihsan Wadud, right, attend ASUNMs meeting on Wednesday. ASUNM passed Resolution 6S, which supports Islam in the UNM Community.

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ASUNM to UNM: Proclaim support for Muslim students

David Lynch | March 6

In the wake of recent attacks targeting Muslims on American college campuses and around the world, ASUNM unanimously passed a cautionary resolution at Wednesday’s meeting urging UNM administration to state their opposition to Islamophobia. Sen. Udell Calzadillas Chavez, who introduced Resolution 6S, said there is a widespread culture of fear and ignorance that perpetuates violence against Muslims. The purpose of the resolution is to provoke better understanding of Islam in the UNM community. “This is a proactive approach to events in the United States and around the world,” he said.

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ASUNM resolves to replace holiday

David Lynch | March 5

The fight to replace university observation of Columbus Day with the official celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance and Resilience Day garnered momentum on Wednesday with the unanimous passing of an ASUNM resolution urging UNM administration to make the change. Resolution 7S states that the move is actually in concordance with what the University stands for. “This resolution is in farther accordance with UNM’s mission statement, which commits to ‘discover and disseminate new knowledge and creative endeavors that will enhance the overall well-being of society,’” the document states.

Around 200 students wearing cherry and silver participated in the annual student body photo that will hang in the SUB for a full year. UNM celebrates its 126th birthday this year.

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Lobo Day celebrates UNM birthday with bash

Sayyed Shah | March 5

ASUNM’s Lobo Spirit group threw the University a 126th birthday party at the Student Union Building on Wednesday. Around 200 students wearing cherry and silver participated in the annual student body photo that will hang in the SUB for a full year, ASUNM officials said. “Lobo Day is basically composed of a couple different parts,” said Ryan Lindquist, associate director for Students Activities Center. “We take the big large picture that hangs in the Student Union Building for the entire year. We sing the birthday songs. We have the photo booth and a couple of giveaways.”

Professor Edl Schamiloglu discusses lab projects Wednesday afternoon at the Electrical and Computer Engineering lab. Dr. Schamiloglu recently received the Nuclear and Plasma Society?s Pulsed Power Science and Technology Committees Peter Haas Award. The award is given to individuals whose efforts have benefited research, education and information exchange.

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Professor acknowledged with esteemed award

Matthew Reisen | March 5

A UNM professor has won a prestigious award for a lifetime’s work in physics, as the laboratory he started at UNM celebrates its 25th year. Edl Schamiloglu, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, was recognized for his contributions to the field of pulsed power and was awarded the 2015 IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Society’s Pulsed Power Science and Technology Committee’s Peter Haas Award. According to the NPSS website, The Peter Haas Award “recognizes individuals whose efforts, over an extended period, have greatly benefited the pulsed power field through the development of important applications or areas of activity including research, education and information exchange.”

Dr. Randall Knott, assistant pediatrics professor at UNM, is urging parents to get their children vaccinated for measles, in light of a growing number of infections in the United States. Knott said there is overwhelming evidence that the vaccine does not cause autism.

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Measles comeback looms

Matthew Reisen | March 4

Measles is making a comeback nationwide, and one UNM Hospital pediatrician is urging parents to vaccinate their children. Dr. Randall Knott, assistant pediatrics professor at UNM, said there is yet to be a reported case of measles in New Mexico, but the national average is currently at 170 cases, approaching a record high in recent decades.