News

News

State: NM businesses ordered to close doors amid COVID-19 outbreak

Justin Garcia | March 18

SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that all bars, restaurants and breweries will end in-person service until April 10, limiting food service to delivery or take-out only. Lujan Grisham announced the aggressive action during a press conference alongside confirming five new cases of COVID-19, including a Bernalillo County woman who contracted the disease in New Mexico. The current total is 28. The Governor also directed shopping malls, movie theaters and gyms to close until April 5.

---

News

Local businesses adjust to coronavirus economy

Lauren McDonald | March 17

As cases of the novel coronavirus reach double digits in Bernalillo County, local business owners are grappling with a decrease in sales. The New Mexico Economic Development Department is offering aid for businesses amidst the health crisis, such as emergency loans and credit to local business owners who are affected by COVID-19. Effective March 16, the Governor's office issued a mandate requiring restaurants to temporarily limit patronage to half of their maximum occupancy. Tables and booths can't sit more than six people and must be six feet away from the nearest table, according to the City of Albuquerque.

---

News

UNM researchers work to find COVID-19 vaccine

Lissa Knudsen | March 17

As researchers around the world attempt to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center (HSC) researchers are among their ranks. Dr. Steven Bradfute, an assistant professor in the Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine at HSC, confirmed Thursday, March 12 that UNM researchers have received samples of the coronavirus and are ready to test it. Bradfute and his team are contributing to research efforts to try to find a vaccine for COVID-19 amid an increase in presumptive positive cases in New Mexico. As of March 17, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) identified 23 presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state.

---

News

UNM apologizes for confusion over extended break announcements

Justin Garcia | March 14

The University of New Mexico apologized Saturday for confusion surrounding two messages regarding the extended break.  “Broadly, the spring break extension that was announced for students did not have explicit provisions for whether academic content would be available after March 23,” a press release said.  On Friday, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced UNM would extend spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5. Stokes’ address didn’t mention coursework or class schedules. 

---

News

Provost: Some classes will resume online March 23, before extended break ends

Justin Garcia | March 14

Though campus will be closed, some classes will resume during the “extended spring break,” according to a campus message from Provost James Holloway.  This latest announcement, released late Friday evening, comes as UNM scrambles to prevent the spread of COVID-19 onto Main campus. Earlier in the day, UNM announced it would be extending spring break by two weeks, from March 15 to April 5.  “You should be in contact with your instructors about their instructional plans for this period, as other forms of instruction may continue,” the Campus Communication said. Online classes will continue as normal, including the online second-half classes, according to the provost’s communication. 

---

News

What we know about COVID-19 and UNM so far

Alyssa Martinez | March 13

The University of New Mexico will be on spring break until April 5, according to UNM President Garnett Stokes.  Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), Residence Life and Student Housing, La Posada Dining Hall and Zimmerman Library will remain open throughout the extended break, according to University officials.  Down south, New Mexico State University (NMSU) followed other campuses and extended spring break by a week to curb the spread of the disease while remaining open for those dependent on-campus services, which was announced on March 13. New Mexico Tech also extended their spring break until March 23. 

---

News

UNM land will not be used for Gateway Center

Beatrice Nisoli | March 13

After weeks of debate, analysis and public comment-laden with controversy, the City of Albuquerque announced March 13 that the University of New Mexico has withdrawn its land from consideration for a possible Gateway Center location.  The lot in question is University property off of the I-25 Frontage Road and Lomas Boulevard and was among three finalists — the other two locations between the former Lovelace Hospital on Gibson and Coronado Park — that expressed interest in housing Albuquerque’s first-ever low-barrier, rehabilitative shelter to be open every hour of the day.  All three locations were considered due to their proximity to medical and transportation services as well as their affordability within the city’s $14 million budget approved by voters last fall.

---

News

State high school basketball tournament continues without fans

Spencer Butler | March 13

THE PIT — The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) announced on Wednesday, March 11 that the state basketball tournaments would continue as scheduled, but without any fans in attendance at Dreamstyle Arena. The update comes in response to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's public health emergency declaration issued the same day due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Although many sporting events across the country have either been postponed or canceled entirely, the NMAA concluded after consultation with Lujan Grisham and recommendations from both the Departments of Health and Public Education that the tournament could continue at the Pit with only players and essential staff present. 

---

News

UNM advises caution to students traveling over spring break

Joe Rull | March 13

With the extended break looming, UNM’s dedicated coronavirus webpage has updated its travel recommendations for students who plan to leave the state, stressing that students should “avoid spring break travel to areas with active community transmission of COVID-19”.  Following a New Mexico State University (NMSU) announcement Friday morning that its spring break would be extended to two weeks and the three-week closure of public primary and secondary schools throughout the state, UNM President Garnett Stokes followed suit, announcing Friday that UNM’s spring break would be extended through April 5. 

---

News

UNM extends Spring Break to April 5 amid outbreak

Justin Garcia | March 13

The University of New Mexico will close for three weeks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to UNM officials.  Friday's announcement coincides with the tenth confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Mexico and national emergencies. While no cases have been confirmed on Main campus, UNM said the preventive measure was essential for preventing further spread of the disease. 

---

News

COVID-19 pandemic may impact US census count in New Mexico

Lissa Knudsen and Alex McCausland | March 13

The COVID-19 pandemic may mean an even lower census count in New Mexico this year — which could lead to the loss of hundreds of millions in federal funding over a decade. In 2010, New Mexico was the second most undercounted state in the nation, according to outreach campaign NM Counts 2020. In a statement released on March 12, the Census Bureau said depending on future COVID-19 recommendations from public health officials, they may need to delay or discontinue nonresponse follow-up visits in particular communities but will attempt to adapt their operations to ensure they get a complete and accurate count.

---

News

Faculty prepare as expectations rise to move classes online

Makayla Grijalva | March 13

As the number of COVID-19 cases increase in the state, University of New Mexico faculty have quickly adjusted and are beginning to move many classes to an online format.  On the morning of March 12, an All-Faculty message solidified that classes would not be canceled after spring break as of yet, but encouraged faculty to decrease in-person interactions. 

---

News

ASUNM: Fiestas canceled

Justin Garcia | March 12

Fiestas, one of the largest and most expensive events on campus, has been canceled for 2020.   The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM) announced the event’s cancellation over a press release Thursday. Student Special Events (SSE), the ASUNM entity that hosts the densely-populated event, canceled Fiestas because of the growing spread of the novel coronavirus.   According to the New Mexico Department of Health, there are six cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico as of March 12. Shortly before the fifth case was announced, the New Mexico Secretary of Health banned large gatherings over 100 people. 

---

News

ASUNM approves fee raise after students reject first attempt

March 12

SUB — The undergraduate student government pushed through a $5 fee raise Wednesday that was identical to the proposal students failed at the ballot box just hours before. The fee raise, which would increase the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico $20 fee by $5, will appear on the April ballot for the senatorial elections. While a majority of undergraduates (56%) supported a 25% undergraduate government fee increase, the referendum did not clear the two-thirds majority required to raise the fee in the three-day election.

---

News

MyUNM gets a facelift

Amanda Britt | March 12

Freshmen will be greeted by a new online landscape when they log onto their MyUNM account next fall. The MyUNM Student Experience Suite is projected to replace MyUNM for incoming freshmen students starting in the fall 2020 semester. The project will incorporate help from various student groups and resources on campus, including the Office of the Provost, the Division for Equity and Inclusion and UNM Information Technologies (IT).

---

News

UNM launches First-Year Promise scholarship

Amanda Britt and Cameron Ward | March 11

Freshmen coming to the University of New Mexico may receive free tuition and have their first-year college fees covered through the "Lobo First-Year Promise" program. The incoming freshman fall class at UNM's main campus must earn a minimum 2.5 GPA for the 2020-21 academic year, enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours for the fall and spring, be a New Mexico resident, be a graduate of a New Mexico high school within the past 16 months, submit a 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a family income of $50,000 a year or less to qualify. Vice President for Enrollment Management Dan García said New Mexico residents with financial needs will have the resources available to cover tuition and fees through the scholarship. He also said the scholarship will give greater assurance to students who may not believe they can afford a four-year university by showing the University wants them here.

---

News

Mia Amin, Ana Milan take ASUNM election

Justin Garcia | March 11

SUB ATRIUM — Mia Amin will serve as the next president of the undergraduate student body. Amin garnered 870 votes — about 57.8% of the total undergraduates that participated in the election. The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico president essentially acts as the main representative to UNM's administration when it comes to tuition and fee raises and advocating for what students want. Amin ran on a platform of increased inclusivity, accountability and a mentality shift within ASUNM.

---

News

APD investigates shooting west of campus

Justin Garcia | March 11

The Albuquerque Police Department is investigating an area west of the University after they said a man was shot near the FreeRange coworking space on Central Avenue Wednesday afternoon. APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said in a statement provided to the Daily Lobo that officers were dispatched to 1710 Central Avenue SE shortly after noon in response to a shooting call. APD officers found a victim, later identified as Carlos Nolasco, half a block away on the corner of Central and Pine with at least one gunshot wound "near his upper torso." The shooting preceded a campus-wide Lobo alert warning "APD out at shooting at 7-11. Central/University. Avoid the area."

---

News

UNM approves cost hike

Justin Garcia | March 10

SUB BALLROOM — Unanimously and without debate, the University of New Mexico greenlit a tuition and fee raise on Monday, March 9. The decision continued a multi-year trend of increasing the cost of attendance at New Mexico's flagship public institution. The total cost bump is $125.08 per semester for an undergraduate taking 12 credit hours, which is considered full-time. For graduate students, the increase is $156.72 per semester for those taking 12 credit hours. The Board of Regents — UNM's ultimate decision-making body — also reduced the undergraduate block discount, from essentially three free credit hours when taking at least 15 credit hours to one-and-a-half free credit hours.

---

News

UNM prepares amid coronavirus scare

Makayla Grijalva | March 10

As universities across the country cancel in-person classes amid escalating numbers of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths, the University of New Mexico is preparing its own contingency plans amid revelations of the first presumptive cases of the virus in the state. UNM officials said the school hadn't identified any novel coronavirus cases among the campus community. Student Health and Counseling reported on the evening of March 11 that they tested two people for the virus and are waiting on results. "At present, there is no evidence of any COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the UNM faculty, staff, and student community, and UNM does not need to close or establish quarantines," the University said in a release on its dedicated coronavirus website. "However, the potential impact on our community is evolving, so we all need to remain informed, wise, and supportive."