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Bill would make UNM Foundation subject to IPRA

Kyle Land | February 18

The UNM Foundation has long been critiqued for its opaqueness. Now, a bill making its way through the New mexico Legislature is looking to change that. House Bill 29 would allow “organizations providing funds or property to governmental entities” to be accessed through the Information of Public Records Act (IPRA), a transparency law that makes all public records in the state of New Mexico to be accessible upon request.

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Sandra Begay brings experience to Board of Regents

Anthony Jackson | February 18

Sandra Begay first started her University of New Mexico career when she received her Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering in 1987. After working at a national laboratory and leading science and engineering programs, Begay, a native New Mexican, returned to the University in 2000 and served on the Board of Regents until 2006. In 2008, Begay served on the Board of the Trustees through the UNM Foundation. Now, she is returning to the Board of Regents after more than 10 years. When Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Begay’s nomination, Begay said she was very happy.

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Lottery Scholarship bill up for debate

Danielle Prokop | February 14

The Lottery Scholarship mandate is up for debate in the Roundhouse — again. New Mexico Senate Bill 283 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, encountering only a single dissenting vote, and now heads to the Senate floor. This bill is sponsored by Democratic State Senators Jacob Candelaria and John Arthur Smith, who also serves as Senate Finance Committee Chairman.

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UNM faculty push for unionization

Kyle Land | February 14

Over 1,600 faculty members at the University of New Mexico’s five campuses declared their desire to start a union for full-time and part-time faculty members. The collective bargaining unit will go under the name of United Academics of the University of New Mexico (UA-UNM). The 1,600 faculty members are comprised of more than one half of all faculty at UNM. The union must prove that 30 percent of employees want a union in order to organize. According to the UA-UNM website, members will be required to pay dues, which will average around one to two percent of an employee’s base salary. The union is also working in conjunction with the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

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Five regents finish time on board with $45 million in funding for HSC

Cameron Goeldner | February 14

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents, in what will likely be the final meeting for five of the members following nominations from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, approved over $45 million in capital outlay funds requested by the Health Sciences Center Committee for a variety of projects. The majority of that money, over $40 million of it, will go towards funding for program management and architects/designers for a new “Modern Medical Facility.” The new facility, which has been discussed for nearly ten years, would expand the bed capacity of UNM Hospital by up to 96 beds. The project will cost between $400 and $470 million depending on the number of beds that end up in the facility. Broaddus & Associates, based in Austin, Texas, was awarded a $6.8 million contract to handle management of the product, while a joint bid between HDR Architects and local firm FBT Architects won the right to design the facility.

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Incoming student regent hopes to build relationships

Tom Hanlon | February 14

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents’ primary responsibility is making critical decisions for the University that affect it financially, and greatly impact its management and goals. While six of the seven regents are established members of the community, one of them brings a unique perspective to the table — the student regent. Melissa Henry, a Ph.D. candidate at UNM working on her doctorate in counselor education and supervision, was appointed on Feb. 9 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as the student regent for a two-year term. Henry said she did not originally expect to be appointed to the position.

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Five unusual student jobs you can find at UNM

Danielle Prokop | February 11

Working on campus doesn’t always mean sitting behind a desk or patroling the halls as a Residential Advisor. If you’re looking for a way to get some hands-on experience in your field, or just some cash on the side, you might want to check out these jobs offered at the University of New Mexico.

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Career Expo gives students taste of job market

Andrew Gunn | February 11

The University of New Mexico’s annual Career Expo will be held in the Student Union Building ballrooms on Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, hosted by UNM’s Office of Career Services, will be free to all jobseekers: students, alumni and community members alike. Billed as an “all majors” internship and job fair, recruiters from over 100 local, national and international organizations in various industries will be on hand to sell prospective applicants on the merits of their employers.

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The secrets to perfecting your job interview

Anthony Jackson | February 11

Applying for jobs is a time investment, but sometimes the return can yield a chance to get your foot in the door. The interview can be one of the most loathsome parts of the process — you have to dress up and speak without stumbling over your words. It’s a little known fact that every semester the University of New Mexico has classes to teach students how to do their best during an interview, Communication and Journalism 344. Evan Ashworth, is part of the term teaching faculty in the C&J Department — he also taught the interviewing class.

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Governor Lujan Grisham appoints five new UNM regents

Anthony Jackson | February 9

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her appointment of five new members of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents on Saturday, according to a press release from her administration. Those nominees will now be sent to the senate for a confirmation vote at the New Mexico State Legislature. Lujan Grisham nominated three women and two men: Sandra K. Begay, nominated for a four-year term; Kimberly Sanchez Rael, nominated for a six-year term; Douglas M. Brown, nominated for a four-year term; Robert Schwartz, nominated for a six-year term; and Melissa Henry, a UNM student nominated for a two-year Student Regent position.

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ASUNM budget dwindles in latest meeting

Justin Garcia | February 7

Four weeks into the spring semester, over $25,000 was appropriated to 11 student organizations at Wednesday's Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Full Senate meeting. With about $40,000 spent this semester, there is just under $64,000 left in the ASUNM budget for fiscal year 2018. According to ASUNM budget documents, Senators appropriated over $68,000 in the fall semester. Finance Chair Holly Gallegos said she was concerned that funding could run out before the semester ends. She added that most of the big appropriation requests had already gone through, however.

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Krebs charged by New Mexico Attorney General on five counts

Kyle Land and Cameron Goeldner | February 7

The New Mexico Attorney General’s Office has formally charged former Athletic Director for the University of New Mexico, Paul Krebs, with five criminal complaints. The complaints listed include money laundering, tampering with evidence and fraud amounting to a total of $20,000. “We are focused on the misuse of public tax dollars that should go to higher education opportunities for our students,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas in a written statement. “We are prepared to present this important case at trial.” In an interview with the Daily Lobo, Attorney General spokesperson David Carl said Krebs would not be placed under arrest at this time, adding that any future decision relating to the matter would be decided upon by the courts.

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Free HIV/AIDS testing to be held in the SUB

February 7

The University of New Mexico will recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7, by holding free, confidential testing from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Student Union Building, in Cherry Silver and the Alumni rooms on the third floor. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Human Immunodeficiency Virus — or HIV — is a condition that kills vital T-cells weakening immune responses. It’s transmitted through mixing body fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk and in utero transmission. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most severe phase of HIV infection, and is subject to opportunistic infections or cancers, which weak immune responses cannot fight off. N’MPower is a under Planned Parenthood leadership in New Mexico, and will be assisting in providing HIV testing at UNM.

News

City hosts ABQ Artwalk

Tiffani Watteyne | February 5

On the first Friday of every month, the ABQ Artwalk comes to Downtown Albuquerque. The event allows artists across New Mexico to come and receive more exposure of their artwork. A variety of artists participate — painters, jewelers, musicians and much more. This year’s first Artwalk had 23 locations participating in the event. Artists at the Artwalk included La Luna Bakery. The vegan community was in need of representation in the Artwalk. After being sought out by coordinator, Victor Florrez, La Luna Bakery was added to the list of locations for the event. “I don’t think it’s the art that brings in the customers, it’s the artists themselves and we love having them here to show off their stuff,” said Maria Galipeau, owner of La Luna Bakery.

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UNM Athletics runs then pulls Trump Hotels ad

Justin Garcia | February 3

If you blinked, you might have missed it. If you saw it, you could have been eligible for a three night stay at one of 13 Trump Hotel locations. This was according to an advertisement that ran on the University of New Mexico Athletics Department’s Facebook page on Friday night, but has since been pulled down. The caption above the ad read, “Calling all Lobo’s! We want to send you on a luxury getaway. One lucky winner will choose from the eleven amazing Trump Hotel properties. Enter here to win a trip of unparalleled service and extraordinary experiences!”

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Venezuelans at UNM react to state of their country

Megan Holmen | February 3

Few countries have experienced more turmoil in recent years than Venezuela, and UNM students and faculty from the South American country are voicing their opinion on the matter. Venezuela has recently made international headlines because of a contested struggle for leadership. According to the New York Times, Juan Guaidó — the opposition party leader — has declared himself interim-President. This came directly after Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for his second term as President. Guaidó was previously the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, which led him to challenge Maduro for leadership of the country.

Outside of the Student Health and Counseling building on the University of New Mexico campus.

News

SHAC under new management as director leaves

Andrew Gunn | February 3

The University of New Mexico’s Student Health and Counseling is under new management following the January departure of Executive Director Dr. James Wilterding. Wilterding’s experience working with LGBTQ students at SHAC led him to pursue a new career opportunity in Massachusetts: he’ll be taking a post in the near future at Fenway Health, an LGBTQ health care, research, and advocacy organization headquartered in Boston. “As a medical director, I worked to expand our clinic’s ability to serve transgender students,” he said. “In the process of doing so, I became heavily involved in one of the leading organizations for LGBTQ health (in the U.S.).”

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UNM Day draws big crowds

Justin Garcia | January 31

Monday was the day for the University of New Mexico brass at the New Mexico legislature. The hallways surrounding the Roundhouse rotunda were lined with tables staffed by representatives of the many organizations of both UNM and UNM Hospitals. Administrators, like UNM President Garnett Stokes, Athletics Director Eddie Nuñez, Student Activities Center Director Ryan Lindquist and Student Union Building Director Walter Miller, among others, were all present. Many students also filled the halls of the Capital, including student athletes. Representatives from the recently cut sports— men’s soccer, beach volleyball and men’s and women’s skiing — were present and viewed the proceedings from the House Gallery. The cut sports teams were invited to the Legislature by the Athletics Department.

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ASUNM: $24,359 in appropriations approved by committee

Justin Garcia | January 31

Finance Committee meetings are rarely exciting events. However, Wednesday night’s Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Finance Committee meeting featured an a cappella performance, a remote controlled car and a noise complaint. In all, $24,359 in 11 appropriations were sent up for vote by Full Senate next Wednesday. Two club sports, Lobo Hockey and Men’s Rugby, were over $14,000 of that total. Lobo Hockey was approved for $5,033. The appropriation is for travel costs to attend away games. Like Lobo Hockey, Men’s Rugby was approved for $9,690 to cover costs associated with travel to away games.

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

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Price for journalism accreditation unclear

Kyle Land | January 31

The Daily Lobo reported on Jan. 24 that the University of New Mexico Communication & Journalism Department was debating becoming reaccredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), citing a $30,000 price tag as the primary reason for possibly not going through the process. However, the exact cost of the process is more undefined because there are at least two discrepancies between ACEJMC and department heads regarding exact costs of the accreditation and what is required for it. In an interview with the Daily Lobo, C&J Department Chair David Weiss explained that the $30,000 figure was based off the total costs for the 2013-14 accreditation process.