Opinion

LETTER: Daily Lobo should remain independent and funded

For as long as Lobos can remember, the Daily Lobo has served a vital role in bringing thoroughly researched, necessary information to the student body. For nearly as long, we have seen this fundamental University function be threatened by the student leaders who are charged with representing us. These leaders have entertained defunding the Lobo. These representatives have accused the Daily Lobo of bias at times when their coverage accurately reflected political differences. In an era of “fake news” and populism, it is important to ensure that our government, down to the University level, is not involved in the media which aims to hold it accountable.

Oct 26, 2020 Comics

Oct 18, 2020 Comics

OPINION: “Cops” reboot spotlights the propaganda of police

“Cops,” a police procedural reality television show, has resumed production after the 32-year-old series was canceled over the summer in response to the protests over George Floyd’s death and subsequent calls for police reform in the United States. Police officers are often shown in a positive light in “Cops,” positioned to be the heroes of the show that help keep people safe and take criminals off the streets. They present their actions and authority as just and morally sound. But as with everything in reality television, the truth is far from what we see on the screen.

Oct 11, 2020 Comics

Oct 7, 2020 Comics

OPINION: Online discussion posts encourage lazy repetition, not stimulating debate

As the new age of online education solidifies itself in university curriculum, students have no doubt noticed an increase in “discussion post” assignments through Blackboard Learn. While masquerading as a platform for the free exchange of ideas and organic conversation, the virtual space instead encourages nothing more than rote repetitions and buzzword-heavy responses. The shift from in-person learning to Zoom-conducted lectures has been a tough experience for students. We have been forced to sacrifice many of the comforts of face-to-face education, and our college experience has been fundamentally altered. Study groups at Zimmerman Library, group projects in class and the basic feeling of being surrounded by a diverse population with unique and differing perspectives have all been stripped from us by the coronavirus pandemic

LETTER: The time for paid family leave is now

Dear editor,  There is nothing more important than our families’ health. But our country needs to live up to its family values. Did you know that even before the pandemic, one in four new moms are forced to return to work within two weeks of giving birth? That’s heartbreaking and insane! I am the proud mother of a 6-week-old, and I have been lucky that I can teach from home, but if we weren’t working from home, I would be in the same boat. And as a teacher, I have seen

Sept 23, 2020 Comics

Sept 21, 2020 Comics

OPINION: ‘Avengers’ video game misses the mark by a long shot

  Over the past 10 years, Marvel’s Avengers intellectual property has been one of the most successful franchises in the entertainment industry. So when it was announced in 2017 that Square Enix was developing an Avengers video game, anticipation around the project began to build. The thought of being able to fly like Iron Man, wield Thor’s hammer and throw Captain America’s shield had many chomping at the bit to get their hands on the game. But after playing it, I was left feeling underwhelmed. Sure, taking control of these iconic heroes was a blast, but the sheer amount of lifeless characters, bugs, uninspired gameplay design and endless grinding left me feeling more annoyed than blown away.

Sept 17, 2020 Comics

Sept 14, 2020 Comics

Sept 8, 2020 Comics

Sept 2, 2020 Comics

Aug 31, 2020 Comics

LETTER: Complete your 2020 census for our Lobo community

Lobos: We urgently need your help! It’s not too late to be counted! The deadline to fill out the census is rapidly approaching (Sept. 30, 2020), and New Mexico is in danger of losing critical federal dollars. If our state loses federal funds, our University of New Mexico community loses federal funds as well. So, what is the census, you might ask? The census is the once in a decade opportunity for us to re-shape our communities. A simple, 10-question questionnaire determines how more than $800 billion in federal funds get distributed across our country. In New Mexico alone, the 2020 census will determine how more than $7 billion per year gets distributed to our state. As students and members of the Lobo community, the census impacts us directly, as it determines how much funding is in: • Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Federal student loans • Pell Grants • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Many more programs that we and our families use

Opinion: Students, instructors face lose-lose situation with pandemic pedagogy

Well, here we are. The University of New Mexico’s fall semester is set to begin — barring any other crazy, life-altering event — but the semester is starting in one of the most tumultuous times in recent human history. While we deal with political, social and economic issues, society is also grappling with the worst pandemic in recent memory. The outbreak of COVID-19 exposed a lot of holes in the infrastructure of our nation, and our universities are no different. Overnight, students and professors were forced to embrace new, rigid realities, both in their personal and academic lives.

Letter: Cancellation fees for on-campus housing this fall should be waived

The University of New Mexico has had to be flexible and adapt to the impacts COVID-19. UNM asks that students be ready for possible changes during the fall semester — a semester that may have “to pivot rapidly to address changing health conditions in the State of New Mexico.” I now ask that the students be afforded this same flexibility and accommodation when it comes to our housing contracts. The continuation of housing cancellation fees is putting an unnecessary burden on UNM students. We had to make housing decisions well before we understood the impact that COVID-19 would have on our education and well before UNM had offered a clear picture as to what a “hybrid system” of learning would look like.

Comics for July 12, 2020

Daily Lobo comics for July 12, 2020.