News

AP Briefs

Mt. Taylor given temporary protection by committee (AP) - A state committee has approved a proposal from five American Indian tribes to give central New Mexico's Mount Taylor temporary protection as a cultural property in a contentious meeting attended by about 700 people.

Spotlight: Lisa Bevilacqua

Daily Lobo: Your name sounds Italian. Are you from Italy? Lisa Bevilacqua: My family is originally. I'm from Philadelphia. DL: When did you come to New Mexico? LB: I came on the fifth of June - I'm here for the flamenco festival. I come and take classes every day for eight days.

Incoming food vendor makes changes at UNM

Chartwells took over UNM dining services June 6 and has already made changes to the SUB and La Posada. After receiving a great deal of student feedback on the subject, the Board of Regents reached a consensus in March to sign an eight-year contract with Chartwells instead of renewing one with Aramark.

UNM hosts summit to boost Hispanic success

Over the weekend UNM hosted the Latino Higher Education National Policy Summit, gathering more than 100 administrators, officials and students from across the nation. Cheo Torres, vice president of Student Affairs, said the group hoped to improve Hispanic success in higher education.

Schmidly to teach class on leadership

President David Schmidly will be teaching a class for the first time at UNM. The course, "Practical Lessons in Leadership," will explore the definition of leadership from many points of view. "My perspectives on leadership are actually more practical than they are theoretical," Schmidly said.

QSA's new leaders pledge to offer support, safety

The new leaders of Queer-Straight Alliance say they will provide gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight communities with a campus support system and a safe environment to unify people with different sexual preferences. Andrew Turner, chairman of QSA, said it is a place to meet people and a great way to find new friends.

Feature Photo: Preparing for November

Spotlight: Greg Maier

Freshman Undecided Daily Lobo: What high school are you coming from? Greg Maier: La Cueva High School. DL: Are you excited to come to college? GM: I am absolutely excited. I'm pumped to get going with college now that I have gone through orientation. DL: What's one thing you are really worried about? GM: I wouldn't necessarily say I'm worried, because I have a lot of confidence in my academic capabilities.

UNM recruits across the globe

UNM wants to bring more international students to the school in the coming year. Vice President for Student Affairs Cheo Torres and the Albuquerque Council for International Visitors signed an agreement last week to work together to increase enrollment of international students.

McCain defends GI Bill stance

Presidential hopeful John McCain attended a Memorial Day ceremony in Albuquerque last week to honor fallen soldiers and outline a plan to increase veterans' benefits. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson and Sen. Pete Domenici spoke at the May 26 ceremony, which more than a hundred people attended, including the families of fallen soldiers who were being honored.

Faculty, regents spar over policy

After an hour of heated debate between faculty, staff and University officials, the Board of Regents voted May 28 to revise UNM's policy on inspection of publicˇrecords. Eight revisions to the policy were initially proposed, but only four were adopted. The regents amended the policy to provide the public with more access to University records, and information about candidates seeking employment, current employees and UNM's internal auditing practices.

UNM toughens frat admissions

UNM will raise its standards for admitting members into fraternities starting next fall. The Interfraternity Council unanimously approved a measure that will raise admission standards for new fraternity members. IFC President Mac Woods said 80 percent of new fraternity members must maintain a minimum of a 2.

UNM to curb alcohol spending

The UNM administration has vowed to change its ways after The Albuquerque Journal ran an exposé last month that revealed how much University money is being spent on alcohol. The Journal's article focused on Marc Saavedra, director of UNM's Government and Community Relations office.

FBI sponsors UNM forensics lab

UNM was chosen as a site for an FBI-sponsored forensics lab. Agent Darrin Jones said UNM's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory will be operational in the next two years. The University has yet to decide where the lab will be built, he said. Jones said the lab will help law enforcement investigate crimes involving digital media, such as cyberterrorism, child pornography and Internet fraud.

AP Briefs

28 arrested in Santa Fe fugitive roundup SANTA FE (AP) - New Mexican law enforcement agencies arrested 28 people during an effort to round up 200 fugitives with outstanding warrants in Santa Fe County, authorities said. Most of the arrests Saturday involved felonies and cases related to narcotics trafficking.

ASUNM fights senator truancy

ASUNM voted Thursday to punish senators who don't show up to meetings. The Associated Students of UNM voted unanimously to issue demerits to senators who skip meetings or leave early. After three demerits, senators will lose their speaking privileges for one meeting, and if they continue to neglect their duties, they will lose their positions, according to the bill.

Sorority shaves heads for cancer

Three sorority members shaved their heads, and Alpha Chi Omega donated about $7,000 to help find a cure for children's cancer on Saturday night. The sorority sisters gave up their hair to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds cancer research.

Student begins campus group to help veterans

Doctoral student Darrin Kowitz is establishing the University's first organization for veterans. Kowitz said he served in the Army in the '90s and wants to help veterans make the transition from the military to academics. "I've got about 50 veterans in my e-mail so far that are students of UNM," he said.

Police: Boyar admitted to having guns in dorm

Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for the UNM Police Department, said student Kevin Boyar confessed to having guns in his dorm during questioning Tuesday. Boyar was released on a $900 bond paid by his mother Wednesday morning after he was arrested outside the Student Residence Center on Tuesday.

Feature Photo: Cleaning up