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ASUNM moves forward on fee increase

Alyssa Martinez and Alex Hiett | October 7

The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s (ASUNM) Steering and Rules committee approved an amendment last Wednesday, Oct. 2 that would effectively raise a portion of the fees all undergraduates pay. The government fee would increase from $20 to $25. The bill was passed 3-1 by the Steering and Rules committee, with one abstention. In order for the fee increase to take effect. It would have to be passed by full Senate, signed by ASUNM President Adam Biederwolf, approved by the student body with a two-thirds vote during Senate elections, and certified by the Board of Regents, UNM's highest governing body.

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Everything you need to know about UA-UNM

Makayla Grijalva and Justin Garcia | October 7

Professors and instructors at the University of New Mexico will make a historic decision regarding the future of the University later this month. On Oct. 16 and 17, UNM faculty — part-time, full-time and at branch campuses — are set to vote on whether they want a collective bargaining unit to represent their interests. How the Union might affect the University and its students is still unclear and depends on who you ask.

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Nonprofit confronts social, economic injustices with grassroots organizing

Alyssa Martinez | October 7

Novel solutions for New Mexicans are culminating in the small SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP) building on the corner of Park Avenue and 10th Street — but its history has long been established in the foundations of New Mexican activism. SWOP is a nonprofit community-based group which focuses on organizing and empowering la gente (the people) to achieve social and economic justice as well as racial and gender equality, according to the Executive Director of SWOP George Luján Luján said SWOP does this in three primary ways: Education, organizing and events.

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PAÍS building completes construction

Colin Peña | October 2

Located at the intersection of Yale and Redondo and overlooking Central avenue, the Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAÍS) building recently finished construction. But classes and research won’t be starting so soon. “We’ll be fully up and ready to serve everyone in the spring semester and we’ll probably do a formal ribbon cutting in March but it is being occupied today,” Mark Peceny, the dean of the college of arts and science said. The $67 million project was mainly funded through an institutional bond pay for by an uptick in student fees, as well as a $27 million from a state general obligation (GEO) bond, according to Peceny. “This new building is constructed in a way that allows people to do 21st-century science,” Peceny said.

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2019 Black Cultural Conference promotes 'radical self-care'

Dan Goodwin | October 2

The University of New Mexico African American Student Services hosted the 2019 Black Cultural Conference at UNM on Sept. 19 and 20. According to organizers, around 450 people were in attendance and included students from universities across the Southwest. Local community members, high school students and representatives from the City of Albuquerque also participated. The conference, subtitled "Blackness Unchained," was focused around "Radical Self-Care.” It included several workshops throughout its two-day duration with a concentration on mindfulness techniques. It also included seminars on leadership and community capacity building.

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Campus remembers legacy of political science professor

Makayla Grijalva and Beatrice Nisoli | October 2

Kendra Koivu, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico’s political science department, passed away on Sept. 27 after a long battle with breast cancer. "She will be dearly missed by her friends, colleagues and students at UNM, and she will be remembered for her striking wit, tenacity and extremely gifted academic mind," said Timothy Krebs, the chair of the UNM political science department in an email sent to students in the department. The UNM political science department will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 3 so faculty and students alike have the opportunity to attend her services.

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Initiatives make UNM buildings more green

Colin Peña | October 2

A concerted effort on the part of the University of New Mexico has brought many of the existing buildings around campus as well as new projects into line with the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) building code and has reduced UNM’s energy usage. The LEED building code run by the United States. The Green Building Council is a certification that “provides independent verification of a building or neighborhood’s green features,” according to their website. If a structure has energy efficient features, such as effective insulation and windows to reduce heating and cooling usage, it can be given LEED certification. The LEED certification process gives several levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Following an executive order from Bill Richardson in 2009, UNM began to renovate its buildings with a focus on energy use and efficiency. Specifically any new buildings must meet at least the LEED Silver certification.

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SHAC launches new online counseling service

Beatrice Nisoli | October 2

The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC) has launched a platform for online counseling services, called Therapy Assistance Online (TAO). The self-help tool includes educational development and a skill set improvement in areas such as mindfulness, communication and problem-solving. “TAO is an online mental health platform that can help people who don’t come into counseling or can’t come into counseling, address mental health issues on their own,” Counseling Director at SHAC Dr. Stephanie McIver said. Students are encouraged to sign up for TAO through the SHAC’s website (shac.unm.edu). Registration is a simple process requiring only one’s name, school email address and demographic information. Also, registering comes at no cost to users.

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UNM professor assists in vaping research

Amanda Britt and Lissa Knudsen | September 30

As vaping related deaths continue to rise in the U.S, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that there 805 confirmed cases of lung injury cases in the United States as a result of vaping, including 12 confirmed deaths. While the CDC reported that the specific chemical exposures causing lung injuries associated with electronic cigarettes are unknown at this time, a recent study by the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI) found vaping to impair lung function even in the absence of nicotine.

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UNM professor gives talk on chocolate in Chaco Canyon

Caitlin Scott | September 30

University of New Mexico anthropology professor Patricia L. Crown gave a free lecture on the history of cacao in Chaco Canyon at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology on Sept. 28. Cacao is the bean from which cocoa products like chocolate are made. Crown spent decades researching chocolate consumption in Chaco Canyon. Studies show that cacao was domesticated around 5,000 years ago in South America, later spreading to other areas. One of the first people to drink chocolate beverages were the Mayans, who would make cylinders to hold them.

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ASUNM: Senate approves constitutional amendment

Alex Hiett | September 30

For the first time in two years, the undergraduate student government passed a constitutional amendment. The unanimous vote cleared the first of three hurdles for the change to take effect. The amendment, passed on Wednesday, Sept. 25 by the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Senate, would hamper the Vice President’s ability to appoint Senators in the event of a vacancy. “It was a smart idea to think about what would happen if we needed to reach outside of the Spring 2019 election to potentially appoint new senators,” Current ASUNM Vice President Madelyn Lucas, noting that these types of appointments are rare. Every candidate who ran for Senate in spring 2019, became a senator, nearly triggering the process in question.

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Where to get your flu shot

Megan Holmen | September 30

The University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) will be holding a flu shot clinic on Tuesday Oct. 1 and Wednesday Oct. 2 in memory of UNM student Raymond Plotkin who passed away after contracting the H1N1 virus in 2009. The event is called #takeoneforRaymond. The event is open to students, staff and faculty who are 18 years old and up, but will only continue while supplies last, according to SHAC's website. SHAC holds free flu shot days because college students are at risk of contracting the virus — and a simple flu shot can prevent this. Students can get their free flu shots in the Student Union Building Atrium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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CIA funds professor at UNM

Alex Heitt | September 26

The University of New Mexico is building upon its relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The memorandum allows the agency to station an active-duty CIA operative on campus. UNM alumnus and CIA agent David Berg arrived on campus earlier this fall. Berg will be stationed at the University for two years, teaching classes and serving as a resource for students seeking career opportunities within the CIA. His classes will begin next semester and include Ethics in Cyber Intelligence, Technology, and Social Media for National Security, and Introduction to Global and National Security.

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Crime Briefs: September 26, 2019

Makayla Grijalva | September 26

The weekly crime briefs are to give the students, faculty and staff at the University of New Mexico a quick look into the crimes reported on campus. They do not provide all perspectives of the incident. All of the information is retrieved through UNM Police Department incident reports. UNM student banned from campus for possession of firearms University of New Mexico senior Steven Do, 21, was banned from campus after police found two handguns and a rifle in his dorm room. The UNM Police Department went to his room in Alvarado hall earlier this month after they received reports that Do was receiving suspicious packages from gun sellers. He consented to a search of his dorm, in which the guns were found along with several other gun parts.

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UNM sees another decline in enrollment

Justin Garcia | September 26

For the seventh consecutive year, student enrollment at the University of New Mexico has dropped — certain to cause a ripple of effects in funding throughout the University. Undergraduate enrollment fell 6.5% (16,170) for the fall 2019 semester, while combined graduate and professional enrollment fell 6% (6,130), contributing to a five-year decline of 16.67% (22,792). The Albuquerque Journal reported that UNM expects a $4 million budget shortfall as a result of the enrollment decline. In 2018, UNM saw a $10 million shortfall from a 7% decline.

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Global climate strike rallies Albuquerque environmentalists

Megan Holmen | September 23

Burqueños gathered in downtown Albuquerque on Sept. 20 for the 2019 Climate Strike, which was also held concurrently in cities across the world. Climate change, drawing attention from millions across the world, was the driving force behind Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s public announcement in a meeting earlier this week that the City of Albuquerque passed a motion “Endorsing The Declaration Of A Climate Emergency, Creating A Climate Action Plan For The City Of Albuquerque.” “We have a plan to get to 100% renewable energy within the next 6 years... This emergency is about action,” Keller said. Keller said while other governments continue to use non-renewable resources, Albuquerque will be a leader and innovator in reducing its carbon footprint.

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Outpost Ice Arena remodeled for new team

Alanie Rael | September 23

Outpost Ice Arena, home of the Albuquerque Ice Wolves junior hockey team, is getting a facelift. The brand new junior hockey team has begun their season on the road with an unfortunate 0-6 starting record. The highly anticipated team is using the local ice skating and hockey rink in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque for practices and games. The rink is currently undergoing renovations, costing team owner and broadcast mogul Stan Hubbard a total of $2 million. The renovations are seeking to upgrade the classic look of the original Outpost. However, according to Alyssa Loroach, the Ice Wolves’ director of communications and marketing, Hubbard is wanting to keep the integrity of the arena despite the new changes.

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Q&A with UNM women's basketball players

Angelina Pompeo | September 23

University of New Mexico women’s basketball players Aisia Robertson and Bride Kennedy-Hopoate are busy preparing for their 2019-2020 campaign. Robertson is originally from San Francisco and beginning her third year with the team. Kennedy-Hopoate transferred to UNM from Queensland, Australia last year. Although this is her second year on the team, it will be her first year garnering playing time for the Lobos. Both players are majoring in Liberal Arts. After college, both said they hope to play basketball professionally overseas, with Kennedy-Hopoate adding that she wants to eventually coach collegiate basketball. The two players recently spoke with the Daily Lobo about their college experience and playing for the UNM women’s basketball team.

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Campus Crime Briefs 9-19-19

Makayla Grijalva | September 19

The weekly crime briefs are to give the students, faculty and staff at the University of New Mexico a quick look into the crimes reported on campus. They do not provide all perspectives of the incident. All of the information is retrieved through UNM Police Department incident reports. False Imprisonment and Domestic Violence Two women, who identified themselves as a romantic couple, engaged in a physical fight in the pediatric emergency room at the University of New Mexico Hospital on Sept. 6. According to the police report, woman one reported that she was choked, bit and punched in the head by her partner “for no reason”. Woman two accused woman one of cheating, which was the cause of the fight according to woman one.

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UNM football prepares to renew Aggie rivalry

Robert Maler | September 19

“It all probably starts this Saturday, right — for both teams. That is why it is such a big game.” That was the question and answer the University of New Mexico head football coach Bob Davie set up for himself during Tuesday’s press conference regarding the Lobo’s weekend matchup against the New Mexico State Aggies. Both schools have played their toughest opponents of the season already — with each facing a participant from last year’s College Football Playoff and losing by the same 52-point margin. UNM collected a $1.1M paycheck but suffered a 66-14 defeat at the hands of No. 7 Notre Dame. The Aggies got routed by No. 2 Alabama the previous weekend to the tune of 62-10.