News - The Daily Lobo

A member at the ASUNM Arts and Crafts Studio carves intricate designs into a clay object. The Arts and Crafts Studio, located in the bottom level of the SUB, offers a variety of materials for making jewelry and ceramics.

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UNM Arts and Crafts Studio creates student outlet

David Lynch | February 12

Art history majors go to class every day to perfect their craft for a prospective career in the field, but for those students who simply want to make some art on the side, ASUNM’s Arts and Crafts Studio provides the space and materials essential to creating masterpieces. Executive Director Helen Atkins said the studio, located on the bottom floor of the SUB, provides a creative outlet for students. “Not everyone has the ability, with their busy schedules, to set aside time or a space to make art that is important to them,” Atkins said. “We offer something that I think is essential. It’s really therapeutic and sort of meditative for students.”

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College legend passes away

Kyle Tomasi | February 12

College hoops lost a legend on Wednesday morning when former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian died at 84. The national championship-winning coach for the Runnin’ Rebels faced many years of battling health issues later in his life, including a mild heart attack in March of 2012. Tarkanian, known for his winning ways and always having a damp game-day towel handy to bite down on, took the Runnin’ Rebels to four Final Fours and won a national championship in 1990. UNM men’s basketball head coach Craig Neal had nothing but praise for Tarkanian. “His footprint on college basketball is always going to be there,” Neal said. “He did a lot of great things at UNLV and a lot of good things at Fresno. It’s just a sad day and he was a really, really good guy. He was a funny character and he did a lot of changes in college basketball and he did a lot of great things for our conference.”

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New app intended to increase safety on campus

Sayyed Shah | February 11

UNM has introduced a new smart phone app that will allow anyone to immediately contact UNM Police Department to increase the safety of students, staff and faculty on campus. LoboGuardian uses real-time interactive features that create a virtual safety network of friends and family, according to a UNM press release.

During a forum Tuesday at the SUB, Grant McGimpsey holds up a Kent State based research article that he helped oversee. McGimpsey is one of four candidates running for the vice president of research position at UNM.

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Grant McGimpsey a vice president of research finalist

Marielle Dent | February 11

Grant McGimpsey, one of four candidates up for the position of UNM vice president of research, talked at an open forum held in the SUB on Tuesday about the important role research plays at universities. UNM Provost Chaouki Abdallah has invited each of the candidates to visit campus and meet with faculty, students and staff during their stay.

Gov. Susana Martinez greets GPSA President Texanna Martin, right, Rachel Williams and other student government representatives at the State Capitol building in Santa Fe. Monday marked UNM Day at the state Legislature.

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UNM Day at the Legislature recognizes efforts

Marielle Dent | February 10

UNM students, faculty, staff and alumni boosted awareness of the University’s accomplishments and lobbied legislators on issues that affect higher education, at UNM Day at the capital on Monday. The UNM Day is coordinated annually by the Associated Students of UNM Governmental Affairs and is a time for students to showcase their work and communicate the positive impact UNM has statewide, according to ASUNM website.

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ASUNM opposes license legislation

David Lynch | February 10

The Associated Students of UNM unanimously passed Resolution 2S at last Wednesday’s senate meeting, declaring their support of the University’s undocumented immigrant students’ ability to get driver’s licenses, a privilege which may be revoked during the current legislative session. Rachel Williams, president of the undergraduate student governing body, said that she strives to keep her positions very focused on UNM and the university’s various student populations. She said she advocates for anyone’s ability to get an education, which hinges on students providing identification.

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New scan technology harnessed for autopsies

Lauren Topper | February 10

Autopsies are on the decline in the United States. The Center for Disease Control shows a 50 percent drop in the rate of autopsies from 1972 to 2007, so that now they occur in only 8 percent of deaths. While no exact cause is identified, likely reasons include the high expense of autopsies for hospitals, as well as the limited number of medical examiners in the country. Yet while the rates are declining, the need for them is not. One disturbing study, published in Histopathology in 2005, showed that at least one third of death certificates are likely inaccurate.

Sam Donaldson, right, arrives at the Daily Lobo Journalism Boot Camp on Saturday. Donaldson served as the keynote speaker during the conference, which included panels and sessions for students interested in pursuing journalism.

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Sam Donaldson kicks Boot Camp into shape

David Lynch | February 9

Among the panels and sessions during this weekend’s Daily Lobo Journalism Boot Camp, one world-renowned television reporter took center stage Award-winning reporter Sam Donaldson served as the keynote speaker during the conference, and he had a simple message for young journalists: “Work really hard,” he said. “Beat the competition by doing the job better than they do. Just do your job.”

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Brain bee stresses education over competition

Lauren Topper | February 9

Twenty-five high school students competed in the state’s first New Mexico Brain Bee held at the Health Sciences Center, but only Taos High School senior, Alayna Barela, will move on to the national competition. The event, hosted by the UNM Department of Neuroscience, included guided tours of some of the UNM Neuroscience research labs, viewing and handling of real human brains and live EMG scans of each student’s brain. “We’re really excited because this is the first time that we’ve had a statewide Brain Bee in New Mexico,” said Dr. Jonathan Brigman, assistant professor of Neuroscience. “We’re excited to have support from the Brain and Behavioral Health Institute to send the winner of this statewide competition to the national competition, which is in Baltimore this year.”

UNM President Robert Frank speaks to the Board of Regents during Fridays meeting. According to Frank, UNM has made progress on 18 out of the 27 goals in his strategic eight year plan and completed four of them.

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Frank's agenda makes headway

Lena Guidi | February 9

UNM President Bob Frank gave a promising update on his strategic eight-year plan for improving the University during this month’s Board of Regents meeting. According to the presentation he gave during the president’s administrative report, UNM has made progress on 18 out of the 27 goals in the plan, and completed four of them. “There are a couple of places where we’re struggling,” Frank said, “but by and large we’re making excellent progress.”

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Sex assault survivors must undergo background check before services

Matthew Reisen | February 6

Survivors of rape and/or sexual assault are now required to have a background check before they can receive services from the Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center. The policy, titled “AFAC Safety and Security Plan,” states that “the client, and all those accompanying the client, will provide a name and date of birth for a background check in the NMJustice.org database.” It further states, “in cases where the client refuses to produce identifying information, the client will be directed to the appropriate off-site agency to seek the requested services.” The policy was created in 2007, but has only been actively enforced since November.

President of ASUNM Rachel Williams gives a speech during the Senate and Committee meeting at the SUB on Wednesday. ASUNM passed Resolution 1S declaring their support of Black History Month.

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ASUNM votes unanimously to support Black History Month

David Lynch | February 6

The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico unanimously passed Resolution 1S at Wednesday’s senate meeting, declaring their support of Black History Month and campus events educating and informing students about African-American accomplishments and heritage. Sen. Rebecca Hampton introduced the legislation at Wednesday’s meeting, saying that the resolution goes beyond supporting Black History Month events. “It’s about celebrating the accomplishments that black people have achieved in their struggles, both historically and presently,” she said.

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Lobos lobby Legislature in session

Marielle Dent | February 6

ost people who watched Schoolhouse Rock as kids understand the basic process by which a bill becomes state law: the bill passes through the House of Representatives and the Senate committees, is voted on, and is then approved by the governor. UNM’s Office of Government Relations, however, is involved with the more nuanced process that comes beforehand to familiarize legislators with issues important to the University community. This office serves as the University’s lead representative and advocate with elected officials, and ensures that important issues involving UNM are on their agendas. As soon as the legislative session ends, Government Relations begins working with UNM groups to find the issues that matter most to the community for the next year’s session.

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Crime briefs for Feb. 5, 2015

Erika Eddy | February 5

Garcia’s Kitchen swindled  by fast talker On Jan. 16, UNM Police Department was approached by an employee of Garcia’s Kitchen in the Student Union Building in reference to fraud. According to the report, a customer paid for a Gatorade using a $50 bill. The customer asked for the $50 bill back, saying he did not want to use it for the transaction, confusing the employee. After the customer left the restaurant, the employee realized that she had returned an extra $50, saying that the customer was a quick talker and good at confusing her. The UNMPD officer later found a subject who matched the description of the customer at the Phillips 66 and Donut Mart on Lomas Boulevard. The officer approached the subject who had a wad of cash in his hand. The clerk of the Donut Mart said the subject had tried to swindle him after he received change from a minimal purchase. The subject repaid the $50 to Garcia’s Kitchen. The restaurant did not pursue charges against the subject.

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STC takes inventions to market

Lauren Topper | February 5

New Mexico is one of six western states — the others being Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Idaho — calling for the transfer of federal public lands to state control. The bill introduced to the New Mexico Legislature this year is asking for an interim study commission to simply investigate the issue further. Mark Allison, executive director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, spoke with the Daily Lobo about the debate surrounding the transfer of public lands. NM Wild is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting New Mexico wilderness.

Empty chairs occupy the SUB Ballroom on Monday for the second annual Battle of I-25 Blood Drive vs NMSU. United Blood Services has said blood donations from students have been lower this year compared to last year.

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UNM struggling to keep blood drive title

Sayyed Shah | February 5

UNM is falling behind NMSU in the second annual Battle of I-25 Blood Drive by a “large margin.” So far 166 people have donated during this year’s blood drive. United Blood Services officials said this number is much lower compared to last year, when a large number of Lobos donated blood. “We hope that blood donations increase in the coming days,” said Abraham Chacon, a regional donor recruitment manager for the United Blood Services, a non-profit community blood center.

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Public Land debates addressed in bill

Marielle Dent | February 5

New Mexico is one of six western states — the others being Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Idaho — calling for the transfer of federal public lands to state control. The bill introduced to the New Mexico Legislature this year is asking for an interim study commission to simply investigate the issue further. Mark Allison, executive director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, spoke with the Daily Lobo about the debate surrounding the transfer of public lands. NM Wild is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting New Mexico wilderness.

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Campus Briefs for Feb. 4, 2015

February 4

Black History Month events scheduled Black History Month at UNM will include various events hosted by African American Student Services, Africana Studies and other student organizations.

Carl Agee holds up a meteorite from the collection at Northrop Hall. Agee is currently working on updating the Meteorite Museum for an April opening.

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UNM scientist studies the authenticity of meteorites

Lena Guidi | February 4

In 2011, Carl Agee received a rock in the mail from a meteorite collector in Morocco. At the time, nobody knew what it was or where it had come from. Even for Agee, director of UNM’s Institute for Meteoritics, the rock’s origin remained a mystery for quite some time. At the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, he tested the rock’s chemical composition, isotopic composition, and mineralogy to determine its makeup.

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Film center offers off-beat movies

David Lynch | February 4

Every week, some students make sure to catch a mid-week movie screening of a film they may have missed a few months prior, for only a few bucks at UNM’s theater. What many may not know about are the films offered by the Southwest Film Center, an agency of the Associated Students of UNM which bring relevant and diverse films, both old and new, to UNM for students to experience.