News

Feature Photo: Jump Around

Staff disputes disparity in pay raises

UNM gave a 2 percent raise to staff and a 3 percent raise to faculty, and the Staff Union is displeased with that. Any staff member who made less than $35,000 per year got a 5 percent raise, but union president Terry Mulcahy said the raise hardly covers everyone on staff.

Company reaches out to disabled

Barbara Brennan has offered employment opportunities to people with developmental disabilities through her business, Stride Inc., for more than 20ˇyears. The company manufactures and distributes wholesale office supplies, like pens, binders and highlighters, to customers that include big corporations such as Office Max, OfficeˇDepot and Staples.

Spotlight: Reza Imani

Daily Lobo: So what got you interested in biology? Reza Imani: Well, I did my undergraduate degree in biology and I have just always been fascinated with science since I was young. Like watching "Mr. Wizard" and stuff like that. DL: How did you decide that you wanted to become a doctor? RI: Primarily because my mom is a physician and that is what initially got me interested in it, and then just volunteering in the hospital and doing research just made me see that I really liked being around patients and being in health care.

AP Briefs

Farmers report healthy green chile crops LAS CRUCES (AP) - Green chile farmers are reporting healthy crops with more than a month to go before harvest. Though the crop has escaped problems with insects and disease, the season didn't start out as well, said Stephanie Walker, extension vegetable specialist for New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service.

Camp teaches music, teamwork

Sociology graduate student Rocky Clay Eagon is spending his summer starting up a nonprofit organization to help children learn music and teamwork. The first project of the Musical Institute for Children will be Eagon's rock and roll camp for kids between 8 and 18.

UNM grad remembered as 'open to the world'

UNM students remember John Smeltzer for his humor, quality of character and friendship. Smeltzer graduated with a bachelor's in political science, French, Spanish and European studies in May. He died in June, reportedly from a heart attack. According to UNM's Office of International Programs and Studies, a memorial service is not yet scheduled.

Shipping off to Boston

J.R. Giddens planted his seeds in The Pit. Now, all those seeds have finally germinated into a garden - the TD Banknorth Garden, that is. Giddens, who was picked by the newly-christened champion Boston Celtics, was selected 30th in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Grad students question child care policy

UNM graduate students with children cannot receive child care subsidies from the state, according to current New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department policy. Lissa Knudsen, Graduate and Professional Student Association council chairwoman, said she is concerned with the issue because it is preventing many students with children from attending graduate school.

Spotlight: Selma Kettwich

Junior Spanish and English Daily Lobo: What classes are you taking this semester? Selma Kettwich: Spanish Linguistics 351 and Spanish 439: Trauma in Latin America. It's intense. DL: What do you hope to do once you graduate? SK: Travel. I would teach English or Spanish in another country.

AP Briefs

Man dies in Santa Fe County jail from apparent heroin overdose SANTA FE (AP) - A 33-year-old Espanola man has died of an apparent heroin overdose in a cell at the Santa Fe County jail, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department. Guards found Ivan Atencio unconscious Friday in a segregated cell at the jail where he was serving time after being convicted in April of fleeing officers during a January 2007 chase.

Board looks to expand student housing

The Board of Directors of the Lobo Development Corporation met for the first time June 18 and is looking to expand the amount of on-campus housing UNM can offer. A market analysis identified the demand for an additional 1,200 beds for undergraduate students and 500 beds for graduate students, according to UNM.

Giddens drafted by world champion Celtics

J.R. Giddens planted his seeds in the Pit. Now, all those seeds have finally germinated into a Garden - the TD Banknorth Garden, that is. Giddens, who was selected by the newly christened champion Boston Celtics, was the 30th selection in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Feature Photo: Surveying the damage

UNM club emphasizes science, reason

The Humanist Society of New Mexico and its UNM chapter aim to teach social responsibility through education and discussion. Harry Willson, an author and member of the state chapter of the Humanist Society, said the philosophy of humanism emphasizes reason, science and human interests and often rejects the importance of belief in God.

UNM graduate dies on Spain trip

Staff Report Recent UNM graduate John "Wolfie" Smeltzer died June 13 in Barcelona, Spain. He was 24. He collapsed due to a massive heart attack while touring near the "Mountain of Steps" in the Olympic Village area, according to UNM spokeswoman Susan McKinsey.

University experiments with shorter workweek

Some full-time UNM employees worked only four days last week. That's because UNM announced June 12 that employees would have the option to work 10-hour days, rather than the standard eight hours, to cut back on gas consumption. In the pilot plan, employees would work four 10-hour days and have a three-day weekend.

New sustainability policy helps University go green

It's not easy to reduce the carbon footprint of a campus of 20,000, but UNM is taking strides to reach that goal. This month, a new sustainability policy came into effect on campus that will cause many changes across the University. Terry Horger, the program coordinator for Sustainability Studies, said this policy is the product of hard work from the program in cooperation with UNM's Policy Office.

Coping with HIV

Ingrid Kloet has lived a long, healthy and productive life despite being diagnosed with HIV 21 years ago. Kloet now works as an HIV/AIDS case manager at First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque. She said she uses her personal experience to help others overcome despair when they are diagnosed.

Feature Photo: Champion Again