Opinion

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Column: Drake will get job done for GPSA

I agree with others who have written about the GPSA elections. GPSA and graduate and professional students deserve a GPSA president who can continue to bring change. We also need someone who can work with our administration and hold it accountable. I have tried to do both of these things over the past year and have realized how valuable it is to build relationships with administrators, faculty and staff and other key decision makers and supporters of graduate and professional students.

Undressing America reveals broken system, corruption

Editor, It seems appropriate to say that our world is collapsing around us. Our relationship with the Middle East has been shot to hell, political tension between Mexico and the U.S. is continually fermenting, the economy is in shambles, corruption (at least the corruption that has been made apparent) is unprecedented, and global warming still remains a very valid threat that's only getting worse.

Daily Lobo article inaccurately portrayed UNM Press layoffs

Editor, The Daily Lobo article about UNM Press on April 1 inaccurately describes the layoff of three employees. By titling the article "UNM Press to fire three employees," the Lobo implied that the individuals in question were terminated for some kind of wrongdoing, which is not the case.

ASUNM's duties go far beyond planning Homecoming, dances

Editor, I am writing in response to Beth Johnson's opinion about B. Lee Drake and, more importantly, ASUNM. Unfortunately, Beth is nothing but an example of the misinformed students that ASUNM tries to reach out to. Apparently, Beth, you have not done the amount of research that is necessary to make such bold statements, but instead you mask your lack of knowledge with brash tactics and vocabulary.

GPSA is a student government, not just an advocacy group

Editor, I am writing in response to Joseph Garcia's column in Tuesday's Daily Lobo. Garcia closed his remarks with the proposal that GPSA as a group and GPSA as a movement are two different things. This horribly flawed logic has persisted in GPSA for far too long and is perhaps the most prominent legacy of both Garcia's administration and his successor's.

Administration's criticisms of UNM Press unwarranted

Editor, Why does the administration find it so easy to criticize UNM Press for its deficit, resort to firing dedicated staff and threaten to outsource the whole operation? Let's keep in mind that the press is completely self-supported, has to pay rent for its offices and warehouse, and has had to endure two moves of its offices that were dictated by the University and had a negative effect on its operations and sales.

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Alumnus' claims about Obama are premature, immature

Editor, In March, we were again graced with the presence of another right-wing columnist. Dixon Duval was angry (even by right-wing standards), and can one blame him? With the conservatives' last president an embarrassment, Barack Obama's victory definitive, if not overwhelming, and Republicans' stances in the polls at an all-time low, it's clearly not a fun time to be a conservative.

Student involvement key in reducing education costs

Editor, In my letter published in Tuesday's Daily Lobo, I stated "I am especially interested in finding ways to reduce the cost of secondary education, encouraging student lobbying in Santa Fe and strengthening the ties between ASUNM, GPSA, Staff Council and Faculty Senate.

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Power of eminent domain can devastate minority groups

Editor, The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution endows the power of eminent domain - the use of power by a government or an institution authorized by that government to acquire private property from citizens without their consent. Whoever is taking this property is required by this amendment to provide "just compensation.

GPSA needs president who will fight for fiscal discipline

Editor, B. Lee Drake should take some classes in the Social Sciences building. He said, "GPSA is like the House." Should we call him Mr. Speaker if he is elected president? What would the speaker do to address the issue below? There is a proposed plan to build a weight room for students at a total cost of $120 million, and the administration wants to tack an additional $200 in fees (taxes) to our tuition bill every year for 30 years.

A government beyond grad students

I'm running unopposed for the position of Graduate and Professional Student Association council chairman. I'm a returning student who is seeking a dual degree in masters of public administration as well as community and regional planning. By way of introduction, I've been a community organizer most of my adult life.

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Column: Support a president who will achieve change

Change comes from identifying our most pressing problems and implementing innovative solutions. The biggest problem facing graduate and professional students is finding post-graduation employment. I will fight to expand Career Services for graduate and professional students.

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Elect representatives who will listen to students' concerns

Editor, With the current financial crisis and the University's standing in the eyes of the Legislature, it's time for students to realize the power that their combined voices can have. This year's ASUNM elections will be held April 15, and because representatives will work only as hard as the pressure their electorate places on them, educated voters will be a necessity in creating a more effective and active student government.

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Column: GPSA candidate has eye on change

The economic crisis has struck UNM on several fronts. First, it will drive tuition increases by more than 5 percent for New Mexicans and around 10 percent for out-of-state students. This is only one more jump in the price of education for students; we have seen the cost of tuition rise at UNM since 2002.