News

Schmidly pushes for minority centers

President David Schmidly said he would like to see UNM's ethnic centers get recurring, "hard money" funding from the state each year. Universities across the state have been struggling to develop a backup plan to support their "soft money" student services - those that have to lobby for funding each year - in case the Legislative Finance Committee's proposed budget cuts are approved by the Legislature.

Riding to the Roundhouse

Members of Black GPSA brought back the Freedom Ride to protest the Legislature's proposed budget cuts to UNM's ethnic minority centers. About 20 students, staff and faculty members took the 90-minute Rail Runner trip to Santa Fe on Wednesday. They went to represent centers such as El Centro de la Raza, African American Student Services and American Indian Student Services.

Talks, exhibit mark Darwin celebration

A weeklong celebration beginning today will highlight the work of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution. UNM research professors will kick off a symposium honoring Darwin's 200th birthday today in the SUB. Professors will discuss their work and how it is connected to Darwin's.

Cutting costs at the top

President David Schmidly's goal of cutting nonacademic administrative spending by 15 percent over the next three years could total $6 million, the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis announced yesterday. University spokeswoman Susan McKinsey said the president will begin by reducing administrative spending by 5 percent when framing this year's budget, which will be finalized in April.

Question & Answer

Angela Bryan, director of the Health Psychology Department, was recently awarded $3.3 million to research ways to help troubled adolescents change their sexual risk-taking behavior by studying genetics. Daily Lobo: What is the purpose behind your research? Angela Bryan: I'm a health and social psychologist, and so that means that I have a number of different areas that I do research in.

Regents' resolutions support UNM brass

At its four-hour meeting Tuesday, the Board of Regents passed two resolutions supporting President David Schmidly, Regents President Jamie Koch and Executive Vice President David Harris. The resolutions come a week before the faculty will meet to discuss a lack of confidence in Schmidly, Koch and Harris.

For deli owner, it was a long journey from Jordan to success (Video)

Call him Tom. After moving from Jordan to New York City in 1989 at the age of 19, Haytham Khalil applied for a parking attendant job at a fancy restaurant. The manager stared at his application, then looked at him and said his name was too hard to pronounce.

Schmidly: Furlough program will stave off job cuts

President David Schmidly said UNM employees who participate in the voluntary furlough program, which he announced this week, will help UNM avoid cutting jobs. "We have got to hold the line on spending. If we don't, we're going to get in a situation where we can't cope with our reduced appropriations without doing something major with our payroll, and I want to try to avoid that," he said.

New Mexicans gather to support repealing death penalty

The Roundhouse was filled with shouts of "Governor! Governor!" as an exuberant crowd cheered Gov. Bill Richardson's support of their cause. About 150 people gathered on Monday to convince New Mexico legislators to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico. The New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty hosted the rally in Santa Fe on Monday.

Student starts anti-Schmidly petition on Facebook

Students are getting involved in the controversy that has been raging for months between faculty, staff and administration. Graduate student Carl Grover started a petition to remove President David Schmidly and posted it on Facebook and PetitionOnline.com.

Daily Lobo Spotlight

Daily Lobo: What does it mean to be a family studies major? Jessica Perry: Basically, that's what you go through to be a therapist, and I'm minoring in psychology. DL: Why do you want to be a therapist? JP: Because I really want to help people, and that's one way I can see actually making a difference in people's lives.

Domestic partnership legislation hits deadlock

In the Senate Judiciary Committee, a domestic partnership bill was halted in a tied vote on Feb. 9. The bill would allow same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried partners to be eligible for many of the same rights as married couples. It needed a majority vote by committee members in order for it to move to the Senate floor but was split in a five-to-five deadlock.

ASUNM to decide on issuing vote of confidence

Staff Report ASUNM will decide whether to issue a vote of confidence in President David Schmidly on Wednesday, one week before faculty members will voice their lack of confidence in the president. "What we are doing is proposing a resolution that is symbolic, in that it's saying we understand that times are difficult and you (Schmidly) have to make difficult decisions, and we believe in you to make good difficult decisions," said Ashley Fate, president of the undergraduate student government.

UNM prepares to test warning siren

If you hear what sounds like an air-raid siren today, don't worry - you're probably not in danger. Campus Emergency Services will test its emergency siren at 11:02 a.m. today as part of UNM's emergency-response plan. Emergency Operations Manager Byron Piatt said students should seek shelter in the nearest building when the siren sounds.

Students turn out for HIV testing

Crowds of students flocked to Mesa Vista Hall on Friday for free HIV testing and prevention information during Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The event was hosted at African American Student Services, and local activist Hakim Bellamy did much to promote the event through Facebook.

Schmidly encourages unpaid leave

Staff Report President David Schmidly is inviting University employees to take a vacation without pay. A UNM-issued statement yesterday confirmed a voluntary furlough program will be offered for employees who want to take unpaid leave. "Individuals may find that they could use additional time away from work for family concerns or any number of other reasons," the statement said.

Bills aim to change makeup of state boards of regents

The Board of Regents could see major changes if two bills framed by Sen. Tim Keller are approved by the Legislature this spring. One of the bills would require the Senate to approve all of Gov. Bill Richardson's regent appointees by a two-thirds majority vote, and the other would create a faculty regent position on the board.

Event brings dental work, smiles to local children

For 20 children from local elementary schools, a healthy smile is no longer out of reach. Dr. Charles Tatlock, dentist and associate professor at UNM, hosted Give Kids a Smile day on Friday at a dental clinic in the Northeast Heights. The annual event provides free dental care to 20 children between 5 and 14 who have severe dental problems.

Question of the Week

Do you think the faculty's petition is justified? Sean Wynne Senior American and Asian Studies "Yes, because I think that the regents and the president need to answer to the criticisms and the allegations that have been put forth. I think they have the duty to do that.

Feature: Slack Attack