For a couple of weeks, friends and other people whom I unfortunately know have joked around with me, asking how much I was looking forward to the inauguration. I am not going to lie - I have kind of been in a funk. All of the hype about it has gotten to me, and the multiple Facebook invites to speech-watching events and prayer services have not helped either.
Editor, This letter is directed at the stumblebums who seem to think they are better qualified to run the University than President David Schmidly - someone who has actual experience as a university president. You think that athletics, a self-sustaining economic endeavor that allows student athletes to attend universities, some of whom might not have such opportunities were it not for the athletics scholarships that support their studies, is somehow taking precious resources away from academic programs? You think that bond funds voted for in elections for athletic buildings can just be diverted to your programs because some people just really want it that way? You think Schmidly has done a poor job because the state faces a budget shortfall that forced UNM to go on a hiring freeze? You think eliminating an indeterminable number of vice president positions could make up those millions of dollars? Weren't you the same group of people clamoring for greater diversity and equality so then UNM created a position to demonstrate the University's commitment to meeting those aims? And didn't you also want better student support so UNM might raise its anemic graduation rate to within spitting distance of its peers? Didn't you want the vice president for enrollment management because the basis for UNM's funding is driven by student credit hours? And you really thought that these things would magically get accomplished by qualified people with relevant experience without paying market rates? Do you think that you are better qualified, better informed and more capable of leading UNM? You think you have all of the solutions to all of the issues facing UNM, and you think Schmidly is either choosing to ignore good solutions or is incapable of reaching the same solutions? Do you think Loyola Chastain serves the best interests of UNM's staff when all she has demonstrated is her ability to frustrate any real dialogue about the challenges the University faces? You really don't think you deserve a better representative, one who's willing to be frank with staff members about the issues facing the University? Maybe you should collectively apply Ockham's razor to the current problems the University faces and acknowledge that there are no magic bullets to fix these problems.
Happy New Year! Welcome back to school. I hope you got some rest and had fun over the break. It's that time of year again: time to polish up the old resolutions or pick up some bright and shiny new ones. Are you bursting with resolve? All revved up to lose 40 pounds, quit smoking, get in tip-top shape and stop drinking coffee all by the end of January? Many of us have these or other lofty and impossible goals.
Editor, I was not at the protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza on Jan. 10, but I was there in spirit with the other Jews, and I commend and fully support council member Isaac Benton for speaking out against the Israeli government's actions. I am a 52-year-old disabled Jewish woman, and I absolutely do not back Israel's murderous policies.
Editor, Even though I wasn't surprised, my jaw still dropped when I saw how much UNM is forking out for a football coach: $750,000 a year. All the while, our professors are struggling to keep their heads above water with the freezes on hiring, the standstill on raises and the overload of work on poorly staffed departments.
Editor, I couldn't help but laugh when I picked up a Daily Lobo during finals week. I was late for my Economics final, but to see President David Schmidly's face of consternation was absolutely priceless. However bad a job he's doing, I can't help but empathize with the president despite his shortcomings.
Editor, Students, faculty and staff of UNM, there has clearly been a lot of anti-Schmidly Administration sentiment expressed in letters to the editor. I think it's time we did something about it. For those who want to put an end to the Schmidly Administration, go to PetitionOnline.
Editor, Although UNM is on winter break, I would like the Daily Lobo to objectively cover the humanitarian crisis that is taking place in Gaza. Israeli air strikes and ground invasions in Gaza have brutally killed more than 600 individuals, and the numbers are rising.
Editor, Those who fret over UNM President David Schmidly's $587,000 salary may not know of what it consists. Wardrobe needs alone draw $95,000, which includes the cost of designing and tailoring presentable suits of Kevlar (cut resistance) and Nomex (fireproofing) - essential against peasant-wielded pitchforks and torches.
Editor, I wish to thank the University again for showing us how out of touch with the community it really is. The news of a recent hiring this week of a football coach for zillions of dollars when we have temp employees terrified they will not be able to pay mortgages and insurance payments as of the first of the year is shocking.
Editor, Here's a simple question: What is wrong with a University that can't fill a faculty spot years after it becomes vacant but can fill the head football coach position within days? I have come to accept that a school's sports programs, especially football and basketball, take priority over its academic programs because sports programs can bring in a lot of money.
Editor, I have attended UNM for the past couple of years, and I have noticed that there are several recurring themes. Most often, I feel I am educated enough to have a legitimate idea of where I stand on most issues. However, one area in which I have always felt deep concern, but on which, to be perfectly honest, I have virtually no knowledge of, is that of our budgetary concerns regarding the employment of what is often alleged to be an excess of administration.
Editor, With much interest, I read the article in Friday's Daily Lobo reporting on the decision of the regents to divert money from a cogeneration project to Pit renovations but not to move forward on the GPSA-supported expansion of the UNM child care facility.
Editor, I have been reading the Daily Lobo's Opinion page for 15 years and have always looked forward to reading the editorials and letters to the editor. Correct me if I am wrong, but the editors of the Daily Lobo have not written a single editorial this semester about the election, the wars or the economic collapse.
Editor, The first question of the day is, How many of you know President David Schmidly will address concerns about the "economic crisis" at an important forum Friday? The second question is, How many of you will show up? As a GPSA representative for the Community and Regional Planning Program, I see it as my responsibility to inform fellow students when important events affecting their University community and academic resources will happen.
Editor, If Alaskans have state constitutional protection to have marijuana, why is marijuana still illegal for the rest of us? Marijuana is still illegal because the judiciary does not recognize marijuana users as persons and does not recognize marijuana as property under other state and federal constitutions.
Solutions by The State News
