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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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