News

Feature Photo: A day in the rain

Group could be fined for serving without permit

Local advocacy group Food Not Bombs could face thousands of dollars in fines and removal by police if members don't get a food-service permit, health officials said. The group, which hands out free food near the Bookstore, was cited Friday after ignoring a warning issued in February to cease operations or apply for a permit.

Forum focuses on dangers of cyber stalking

Kids growing up in the Internet age might be exposed to cyber stalking when they surf the Web, Mayor Martin Chavez said. "It's particularly problematic because oftentimes, to parents and grandparents, this type of crime is very frightening, because older generations simply don't understand technology as well as their children and grandchildren," Chavez said.

Seminar to teach students police-encounter basics

UNM's Students for Sensible Drug Policy is hosting a seminar today to teach students what to do in case of a police encounter. The seminar will feature an informational film followed by a question-and-answer session with a criminal defense attorney. Member Brad Opatz said the event will give students tips on how to stay out of trouble.

Steve Alford: MWC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

When Steve Alford was named UNM men's basketball head coach in March 2007, he talked about building a program that would put the Lobos in the national spotlight. Two years into his career, Alford is on his way. On Monday, he was recognized by the Mountain West Conference as the league's 2008-09 Coach of the Year.

Coach's achievements net him $45K in incentive bonuses

Steve Alford gets more than satisfaction out of a 20-win season, first place in the Mountain West Conference and Coach of the Year honors. The men's basketball head coach also gets $45,000 in incentive pay. Alford is eligible for incentive pay throughout the year, according to his employment contract.

Daily Lobo Spotlight

Daily Lobo: Why paramedic? Robbie Pulliam: I just like helping out people. I'm not doing it for the money, because the pay for it, like the average, is $23,000. So, yeah, I just like helping out people. I'll probably go into firefighting, something like that.

Feature Photo: A hero's welcome

Fox's commencement speech canceled

Vicente Fox will not deliver this year's commencement address at UNM. In a statement issued over the weekend, President David Schmidly said logistics problems and concerns about providing security for the former Mexican president led to the University canceling the event.

Web site tracks budget process

The UNM community can now keep up with developments in the state budgeting process through a Web site launched by the University. UNM's Budget Impact committee created the site Unm.edu/budgetimpact last week. The site features messages from President David Schmidly about UNM finances and will publish communications from the Roundhouse as information on allocations becomes available.

Auditor gathers information on UNM's finances

State Auditor Hector Balderas was on campus Thursday to speak to faculty, staff and administrators, taking the first step toward re-auditing the University. Balderas came in response to a motion passed at the Feb. 25 faculty meeting that requested an "immediate, independent, external audit to be conducted by a firm chosen by the State Auditor" to investigate how educational funds have been handled.

Faculty wants larger stake in governance of University

In light of their Feb. 25 no-confidence vote, faculty members are calling for a re-examination of the shared-governance model UNM uses for crucial policy decisions. Richard Wood, president of the Faculty Governance Committee, said his constituents would like to see faculty members play a greater role in decision-making in every aspect of UNM's governance.

Star of 'Rome' makes surprise visit to Classics class

Professor Monica Cyrino said it was a gift from the gods when she saw actor Ray Stevenson, from HBO's "Rome," in the security line at Albuquerque Sunport Airport on Tuesday. "I really want my students to think that I have deep Hollywood connections, but really it was fortune that my plane was late and I saw him and I said to myself that I had to approach him," Cyrino said.

Student vets react to Afghanistan surge

Andy Lilienthal was at ease as he sat near the Duck Pond on Wednesday afternoon. He even cracked a few jokes about his smile. But Lilienthal's tone quickly changed once the former U.S. Army sergeant began telling his story about his time in Iraq, where he spent just less than a year.

Question of the Week

What do you think about President Obama's plan to move troops from Iraq to Afghanistan? Ismael Pereira Junior Pre-Med "I don't think it's a good plan. I believe that they should bring them home. I wish they would stop the war and invest the money in the country instead of going to other countries and try to fix them.

Correction

Contrary to what was printed on Tuesday, the ASUNM bill proposed increasing the limit on campaigning funds by $100 for each office, not just for senators.

Increasing the odds for marrow matches

More than 6,000 people search for a bone marrow match every day, and the likelihood of success is low. "The chance of someone being a match is about 1 in 100,000," said Nawid Farhad, president of the UNM Afghan Student Association. Farhad said that inspired the ASA to host a marrow donor drive, in collaboration with the National Marrow Donor Program, on Tuesday and Wednesday in the SUB.

Boyar convicted of carrying firearm

Kevin Boyar, a student accused of bringing weapons into the dorms last year, was convicted earlier this week on one count of carrying a firearm on campus. Boyar and his attorney plan to appeal the decision on the grounds that Boyar did not know guns were not allowed on campus.

GPSA backs faculty's motions to improve admin accountability

GPSA has chosen to side with the faculty by voting to support the five motions passed at last week's meeting. In a council meeting Tuesday, GPSA members resolved to support the faculty's initiatives. "We want to support this and put strength behind it," said Becky Ellis, UNM graduate student.

Feature Photo: Putting it all together