News

Men in Heels (Video)

University might get less funding from Legislature

UNM's funding from the Legislature could take a hit in 2009. The Roundhouse gives UNM about $360 million each legislative session, said Marc Saavedra, UNM's director of government affairs. Saavedra said UNM has received 10 to 20 percent of the money in the Legislature's special projects bill in recent years but that this year, Santa Fe has less money to give away, which could mean less funding for UNM.

Bond B gives $780K to UNM libraries

Libraries around the state look to Bond B for funds to purchase new books and pay for online services, journals and other media. UNM's libraries - including Zimmerman, Fine Arts & Design, Parish Memorial and Centennial Science and Engineering - would receive $780,000 from this bond, said Martha Bedard, dean of University Libraries.

Dinner workshop teaches students proper business etiquette

With folded napkins and freshly polished silverware, UNM's Career Services department put on an extravagant professional dining experience Monday night. The formal three-course dinner was held to help UNM students gain insight into the world of business etiquette.

Thousands turn out to vote early at UNM polling location

More than 4,500 people have voted early at the Student Union Building, making the SUB polling location the fourth most popular in Albuquerque, according to the County Clerk's Office. Of the 4,561 people that have voted at the SUB, 3,184 were registered Democrats and 441 were Republicans.

Processing provisional ballots

Official election results will not be available until more than a month after Nov. 4 because of provisional ballots, but Bernalillo County races could be called before then. Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said every vote will be counted but that provisional ones will go through a verification process that can take up to 34 days.

Battle for the Senate

State Senate candidates vying for the District 15 seat say they will fight to improve UNM students' futures. District 15 is located between Carlisle and Wyoming boulevards and Constitution and Hallmark avenues. H. Diane Snyder, a Republican, is up for re-election this year.

Chartwells slow in giving nutrition facts

When Chartwells took over UNM's food-service contract in June, the company promised healthy choices on campus. But Chartwells has been slow to provide nutrition facts for its on-campus eateries. "We are in the process of developing all of that information onto the dining Web site," said Michelle Giles, the Chartwells retail manager at the SUB.

Daily Lobo Spotlight

Daily Lobo: What instrument do you play for UNM's marching band? Patrick Beare: This is called a snare drum. It's part of the drum line, the percussion instruments that are actually marched on the field. DL: How long have you played it? PB: I started in the fifth grade, so I guess that would be about eight years.

Health care conundrum

The cost of health care has skyrocketed in recent years, and Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain believe the U.S. will need to cut those costs. Todd Sandman, director of government relations for Presbyterian Healthcare Services, said the health care system in New Mexico needs attention.

Electoral College brings attention to New Mexico

If it weren't for the Electoral College and New Mexico's swing-state status, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain might not have bothered to come to UNM this election season. "Despite being a pretty small state population-wise, we're obviously gathering a ton of national attention," said Gabriel Sanchez, assistant political science professor at UNM.

Obama: 'We are in this together' (Slideshow)

Presidential candidate Barack Obama discussed his economic policy and stressed the importance of early voting in front of about 45,000 people at Johnson Field on Saturday. "Al Gore won New Mexico by 360 votes," Obama said. "John Kerry lost New Mexico by a little over 6,000 votes.

Nursing dean plans to improve program's clout

After more than a year with an interim dean, the UNM College of Nursing has hired Nancy Ridenour to step in as dean by the spring semester. Ridenour is an adult nurse practitioner and served as a congressional staff member. She was one of 19 applicants for the position.

Down-ticket races can be uncharted territory for voters

Some early voters say they haven't heard of the candidates on the lower part of the ballot or of the bonds they have to choose from. Bernalillo Country Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said she often sees the bottoms of ballots left blank. "As a general rule, we do see that the majority of votes cluster towards the top of the ballot," she said.

War stories, long drives and straight talk

Tommy drives the Straight Talk Express, John McCain's campaign bus. He's been with the bus since it left Belen on Sept. 11. He's been back home for just one day since then. He's an unpaid volunteer. "I closed my business," he said. "I own a restaurant, and my manager is struggling along to keep it open while I'm gone.

McCain discusses economic policy at Fairgrounds rally

Sen. John McCain promised to cut taxes and government spending during a rally in Albuquerque on Saturday. About 1,000 people attended the rally at the State Fairgrounds, likely McCain's last stop in New Mexico before the election. Congressional candidate Darren White, Rep.

Question of the Week

Should UNM's GPA admission requirement be raised to 2.5? Greg Raudenbush Senior Sociology "Yes. It would improve academics. It would definitely help students get better prepared." Jaymie Roybal Freshman Political science "I think it's a good idea that they want to raise the GPA.

A helping hand for veterans

Students will strip for charity in Smith Plaza today. UNM's Public Interest Research Group is teaming up with the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center and Student Veterans of UNM for the demonstration. Sean Debuck, president of UNMPIRG, said anyone can participate in the strip poker clothing drive, but he recommends dressing in layers.

Clerk's Office modifies rules for SUB voting site

Staff Report The Bernalillo County Clerk's Office is making some exceptions for early voters at UNM. The office modified its polling location rules because of constant pedestrian traffic in the Student Union Building. Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bernalillo County Clerk, said poll workers at all other early voting sites have been instructed to prohibit campaigning within 100 feet in all directions.

Torraco, Brandenburg pitch platforms during debate

Lisa Torraco and Kari Brandenburg contested each other's qualifications for district attorney in a debate at the UNM School of Law on Thursday. Torraco, a Republican campaigning against the incumbent Brandenburg, said that instead of giving a campaign speech she would get right to the issues.