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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Anderson School of Management names new interim-dean

Catherine Stringam | January 31

Earlier this month, the University of New Mexico instated Shawn Berman, Ph.D, as interim-dean of the Anderson School of Management (ASM). Berman is no stranger to ASM or its administration. He has been at UNM since 2007, holding many positions throughout his tenure. He is a professor of business and society, and said he enjoys teaching and connecting with students. He also conducts research in topics such as stakeholder theory, employee-employer relationships and issues of corporate governance. Berman was ASM’s acting dean for the entire year of 2017, until Craig White, Ph.D, took over. He then served as the ASM associate dean for accreditation and research during 2018.

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What UNM lobbyists spend their money on

Danielle Prokop | January 28

The University of New Mexico, like many political entities, has been spending a lot of money at the New Mexico Legislature, or at least, the lobbyists they’ve hired as consultants have. According to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office a lobbyist is someone who is compensated to influence “official action,” which includes legislation. Lobbyists are legally required to publicly disclose their spending three times a year (in January, May and October). This includes both the amount they contribute to campaigns, and their expenses on the job.

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UNM Athletics partners with ticketing agency

Cameron Goeldner | January 28

The University of New Mexico Athletics Department has announced a new partnership with Paciolan, a ticketing company that is part of the Learfield organization, to handle ticketing services for the University. In addition to handling ticketing at athletic venues, they will also be working Popejoy Hall. Learfield, the parent company of Paciolan, is a sports marketing behemoth that also partners with UNM and handles multimedia rights for Lobo Athletics through Lobo Sports Properties.

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CNM and UNM receive $2 million humanities grant

Andrew Gunn | January 28

Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, obtaining a degree in humanities from Central New Mexico Community College or the University of New Mexico just got a little easier. The grant — which will be awarded over a three year period — provides $1.2 million for UNM and $800,000 for CNM in order to increase the number of humanities graduates in New Mexico. “Building Humanities Pathways: A CNM and UNM Partnership for Innovation and Success” is an initiative that will focus on a number of programs designed to facilitate the transfer of students between the two institutions, improve degree completion rates and emphasize the importance of an education in the humanities in an increasingly globalized and STEM-focused economy, according to the grant proposal.

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State Legislature to hold UNM Day

Justin Garcia | January 28

If you’re looking for an excuse to skip class this Monday, head up to the New Mexico State Legislature for UNM Day. There, in Santa Fe, representatives from various entities of the University of New Mexico will be tabling and lobbying at the legislature’s UNM Day. Anyone is welcome to watch the speeches, votes and other goings-on of New Mexico’s highest governing institution. This 60-day session will be especially impactful for UNM and the Lottery Scholarship. For example, House Bill 146 would change the Lottery Scholarship from a merit-based scholarship to a needs-based one. Eligible recipients “family contributions” as calculated in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) would have to be below 150 percent.

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ASUNM President readies for busy semester

Justin Garcia | January 28

Emerging Lobo Leaders, Board and Committees Coordinator, senator, chairwoman and now president. Becka Myers has seen the many facets and functions of the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico from many different sides. Now, as ASUNM President in her final semester at UNM, Myers has the opportunity to affect the future of the University in ways that few other in her position have had.

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Saved by the bill: House Dems push to reinstate sports

Kyle Land , Cameron Goeldner and Danielle Prokop | January 25

House Democrats introduced a bill Friday to give the University of New Mexico a reoccurring appropriation of $2 million to reinstate four sports. Led by House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chair Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), the money would be taken from the state’s general fund to restore men and women’s ski team, women’s beach volleyball, and men’s soccer. Other sponsors of House Bill 320 (HB 320), all Democrats, are representatives Antonio “Moe” Maestas, Javier Martinez, Sheryl Williams Stapleton and Speaker of the House Brian Egolf. Egolf told the Daily Lobo on election night that the sports cut by UNM would be reinstated, and new Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham had campaigned on a promise to bring the programs back.

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C&J debates undergoing accreditation

Kyle Land | January 24

Heads of the University of New Mexico Communication & Journalism department are uncertain whether or not they will go forward with being re-accredited by an outside organization due to the cost and demanding requirements. The department first received accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) in 1955. The ACEJMC’s task is to accredit professional journalism and mass communication programs at universities and colleges across the country, according to the council’s website. Departments and programs are not required to go through the accreditation process.

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Tense debate dominates ASUNM meeting

Justin Garcia | January 24

A long and confrontational debate arose in the Associated Students of University of New Mexico’s first full senate meeting of the semester. The debate regarded a $650 line item of an over $3,000 appropriation for LoboTHON after it was announced that ASUNM will be operating with an $99,852 budget. Last semester, ASUNM appropriated roughly $30,000. LoboTHON was eventually awarded $3,189 for costs associated with the group’s yearly dance marathon and travel fees for a conference in July. LoboTHON is a student organisation that raises money for the UNM Children's Hospital.

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UNM professors work to save New Mexico's water

Megan Holmen | January 24

In a recent University of New Mexico community outreach project, “New Mexico Water: What our Next Leaders Need to Know,” UNM professors called upon recent Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham to protect New Mexico’s water. Recommendations from the project include: increased involvement in water issues by Lujan Grisham, assuring appropriate regulatory programs from federal agencies, addressing climate change and providing financial assistance to small communities to meet water needs. Bruce Thomson, one of the organizers of the conference that produced the project and a research professor in the Civil Engineering Department at UNM, said each year UNM holds a water conference and the most recent one focused on recommendations for the new governor.