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Sorority not excused from Title IX

February 10

by Paula Bowker Daily Lobo A chapter of the Christian sorority Sigma Phi Lambda might never get chartered at UNM. That's because the sorority does not follow Title IX of the educational amendment of 1972, a rule against gender discrimination. Katie Gwartney, the intended vice president of the sorority, said sororities, fraternities and sports teams are exempt from Title IX's requirement that groups do not discriminate on the basis of gender.

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Campuses in the News

February 10

Hit-and-run paintballers target Arizona students TUCSON, Ariz. (U-WIRE) - Two students in separate incidents have reported to University of Arizona Police Departments they had been hit by paintballs while walking on campus. The Tucson Police Department also received two reports last week from residents who said two men were firing paintballs at pedestrians while driving.

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Who's in charge around here anyway?

February 9

Students have likely heard of UNM President Louis Caldera, but raise your hand if you know his boss, the Board of Regents. Regents are appointed by the governor, and they can almost never be fired. It takes a hearing in the State Supreme Court for them to be dismissed, and that only happens if they've been accused of "incompetence, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office," according to the state constitution.

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ASUNM blasts lottery changes

Rivkela Brodsky | February 9

Students stood up against a flat rate for the lottery scholarship at the Board of Regents meeting Tuesday. Almost no students attend most regent meetings but at least 20 students from ASUNM attended at the request of ASUNM President Kevin Stevenson. Stevenson said he wanted the regents to support ASUNM in opposing a change to the amount of the lottery scholarship.

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Athletics gears up for study

Katy Knapp | February 9

UNM is conducting its second self-study of the Athletics Department for NCAA certification. The first was done in 1997. Some areas of the department needed improvement, according to the 1997 study. Areas needing attention were academics and gender equity.

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Crime Watch

February 9

February 1 A woman reported false imprisonment and battery to the UNM Police Department. The incident took place at Telos House on Jan. 31, the report states. According to the report, the woman told police she was "horseplaying" with three other residents.

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News in Brief

February 8

Legislature debates use of medical marijuana SANTA FE (AP) - Erin Armstrong's soft voice trembles as she recounts her six-year fight against cancer and asks lawmakers to legalize the medical use of marijuana. "This isn't a drug issue at all. This is a patients' rights issue," said Armstrong, who suffers from nausea because of treatments for the cancer she's battled since she was 17.

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Catholics celebrate traditional Mardi Gras

Katy Knapp | February 8

Mardi Gras is a last hurrah before the Catholic Lent period, not just a good excuse to get drunk and flash strangers for beads. Also known as fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is a way to let loose before the 40-day fasting season. Mary Ann Barrett, campus minister for Aquinas Newman Center, said the term comes from the tradition of people clearing out their pantries before Lent.

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Medical school projecting $3 million deficit

Rivkela Brodsky | February 8

UNM's School of Medicine is projecting a $3 million loss by the end of the fiscal year. The UNM Hospital is down 21 percent in projected surgeries. At the UNM Board of Regents meeting, these two projections caused concern for regents president Jamie Koch, who asked people to "put all the facts on the table," during a mid-year financial report at the finance and facilities committee meeting on Monday.

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News in Brief

February 7

Transient held for murder of Nob Hill woman (AP) - A transient is being held for the murder of a 52-year-old woman last month after DNA found at the murder scene matched his, police said. Phillip Busey, 42, was arrested Saturday and charged with the Jan. 19 murder of Kathryn Hauser, who was found severely injured in her home after an attorney walking to work heard her screams.

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Textbook prices soar, study says

Rachel Stohr | February 7

A report released this month said textbook companies are needlessly raising the prices of textbooks. "Publishing companies are profiting at the expense of students," said Nick Rugen, New Mexico PIRG campus organizer. Last year, the State Public Interest Research Groups released a report documenting the increasing price of college textbooks.

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UNM embarks on NCAA study

Katy Knapp | February 7

The University began a yearlong self-study on the Athletic Department this month to determine if it meets NCAA standards. If the department doesn't comply, UNM could be ruled ineligible to participate in NCAA championships. Professor Breda Bova, chairwoman of the study's steering committee, said all facets of the athletics program will be looked at to determine certification.

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University College helps the undecided

February 7

by Alyson Rimsha Daily Lobo There are 2,532 students listed as undecided majors at UNM. University College is home to 10,500 nondegree and Bachelor of University Studies students at UNM, including those with undeclared majors. Michelle Steiner, supervisor at the University College Advisement Center, said freshmen come into University College as undecided majors, even if they know what they want to do.

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Legislature Summary

Manuelita Beck | February 7

Lottery Scholarship Students who take remedial classes would not qualify for the lottery scholarship under a bill introduced last week. Under the measure, UNM students would be unable to get the Lottery Success Scholarship for a semester in which they are enrolled in one or more remedial classes.

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The Daily Lobo asks you

February 4

"I don't think he can have a fair trial, but I think he should. I believe him." Janine Aragon Sophomore "Yes. There are people out there who believe justice is what matters and not what they think of him personally." Kevin Costa Senior "No. I think he's too world-known.

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Med students learn about age

February 4

by Alaa Ishak Daily Lobo First-year medical students and senior citizens are pairing up as part of a mentor program at the School of Medicine. "As the population is aging, no matter what health-related field you go into, you have to deal with older patients," said Carla Herman, chief of the UNM Department Geriatric Division.

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Departments strut their stuff at the Capitol

Rachel Stohr | February 4

Around 20 displays from University departments filled the inside of the Roundhouse on Thursday. Representatives from dozens of UNM departments spent the day showcasing programs and services for the third annual UNM Day at the Legislature. "It went very well," said Tamara Williams, marketing representative for the School of Engineering.

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Legislators look at felony housing costs

Rachel Stohr | February 3

The estimated annual cost of housing felons in state detention facilities is $25.4 million, according to a report published by the New Mexico Sentencing Commission. Linda Freeman and Paul Guerin work for the UNM Institute for Social Research and co-authored the report.

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Campuses in the News

February 3

U. Alabama develops anti-terrorism software TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (U-WIRE) - The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks might have been prevented if a computer program the University of Alabama is developing had already been implemented, one UA researcher said. The UA Critical Analysis Reporting Environment Research and Development Lab received nearly $1 million as a grant from the U.

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Arts lab seeks operating funds

Katy Knapp | February 3

UNM was granted $3 million for a new media arts lab, but the money only covers buildings and equipment. UNM computer science professor Ed Angel said the money was granted in capital outlay and therefore cannot be legally used for anything other than facilities, land and major equipment.