News

Ups and downs at Balloon Fiesta (Slideshow)

Chemistry sees decline in faculty

Faculty losses are affecting another department at UNM. The chemistry department has seen a steep decline in full-time tenured faculty. Only 12 full-time faculty members teach in the department, chemistry professor Patrick Mariano said. "We are down significantly, with no hope in the near future that it will change," he said.

Learning from Albuquerque's past

Mayor Martin Chavez told students the best way to improve Albuquerque's future is by understanding the city's past. A class in the UNM Honors Program invited Chavez to give a lecture on his plans for the city Thursday. Chavez discussed Albuquerque's economic and infrastructure issues, including the film production market and solar power initiatives.

Student talks politics on radio show

Lobo Conservatives president Stephen Dinkel has found a new way to make his voice heard - an online radio show. "Mornings with Dink," his biweekly show on BlogTalkRadio.com, focuses on issues ranging from sports to politics to personal stories. Though the show has a conservative slant, Dinkel said he is open to people calling in with opposing views, as long as they're polite.

Event seeks to promote disability awareness

Students can discover what it's like to be blind or in a wheelchair at an event sponsored by UNM's Associated Students for Empowerment. Fifteen campus and community organizations have teamed up to host Disability Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today outside the SUB.

Question of the Week

Question of the Week? Lauren Cala Freshman Biology "Johnson Center, because I go there the most often and it would affect me the most." Kevin Haring-Chandler Junior Psychology "Mesa Vista Hall, because it seems to be the most dilapidated and in the worst state of all.

Department to add classes in renewable energy

The mechanical engineering department is planning to change its curriculum to prepare students for sustainable jobs. Professor Andrea Mammoli said he thought of starting a renewable-energy program while he was on sabbatical in 2004. "We are trying to put in a curriculum that looks at all aspects of sustainable energy.

Feature Photo: Swing Dancing

Committee petitions for upgraded recreation center

In 2007, UNM received $12.5 million from an institutional bond for classroom modernizations, but students are petitioning to use the money for Johnson Center. ASUNM President Ashley Fate said the Student Housing and Recreation Committee is exploring options for updating the center, a plan President David Schmidly supports.

Rape center looks for victim advocacy volunteers

The Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico needs volunteers to provide information and comfort to survivors of sexual assault. Advocates provide 24-hour counseling and education services, in person or by phone, for sex crime victims, said Rosanna Cordova, crisis services manager for RCC.

Fair presents alternatives to commuting

UNM's Parking and Transportation Services is reaching out to students to give them alternatives to the hectic commuter life. PATS hosted the Fall Alternative Transportation Fair on Tuesday, where ABQ Ride, PATS and BikeABQ tried to interest students in their organization's services.

Round two

Barack Obama and John McCain met in Nashville Tuesday for the second of three presidential debates. As in the first debate, the candidates spoke about the economy, as well as entitlements and foreign policy. The debate was in a town-hall format: The candidates fielded questions from audience members and online contributors.

Corrections

In Tuesday's story "New voters' ballots could be thrown out," the Daily Lobo should have made it clear that if you vote early or within your precinct, you will not have to vote on a provisional ballot - unless your registration has not been processed. County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said her office will be able to process the information of everyone registered before the Tuesday deadline.

University aims to limit risk by investing in bonds

As the stock market continues to fall, UNM is trying to avoid big risks by investing in bonds. "We're not in the stock market - the stock market is too risky," said Andrew Cullen, associate vice president of Planning, Budget and Analysis. "We are in the bond market because it's not as risky of an investment.

UNM works with County to get early voting in SUB

The Bernalillo County Clerk's Office is working with UNM to hold early voting in the SUB. Polling stations will be open on the third floor of the SUB beginning Saturday. Walt Miller, vice president of Student Life, said UNM is bringing early voting back to campus after its success in the February presidential primary.

McCain's mission

Close to 1,000 people came to see Republican presidential candidate John McCain on campus Monday. Meanwhile, outside the SUB, about 250 students and community members rallied in protest of McCain, chanting, carrying signs and marching on campus. McCain discussed the economic crisis and criticized his opponent, Sen.

Bonds could give UNM additional funding

The Nov. 4 election holds not only the promise of a new U.S. president but also the possibility of funding for UNM. Three general obligation bonds are up for a vote: Bond B will fund public libraries; Bond C will fund UNM's Health Sciences Center; and Bond D is for higher education facilities.

New voters' ballots could be thrown out

Students who have recently registered to vote may swing the Nov. 4 election - if their ballots are not disqualified. Richard Abraham, owner of Business Computing Solutions, said Bernalillo County is seeing an influx of voters who are newly registered but that a large number of them have not been entered in the state's system yet.

UNM No. 76 in nation for sexual health resources

According to a survey, UNM's sexual health is better than NMSU's, but there is still room for improvement. The 2008 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card ranked UNM's Student Health and Counseling center No. 76 of 139 universities nationwide. The annual report card measures universities' availability of sexual health resources and accessibility of sexual health-related information.

Correction

The deadline for Arizona voters to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 24. Visit your state's Web site to ensure you have the correct deadline.