Opinion - The Daily Lobo

Opinion

UNM lacks respect for students with disabilities

August 20

Editor, The New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation required me to take a psychology class at UNM this summer, which I did and passed with a B-plus. Still, I am unable to register for the classes I paid for and was forced to withdraw as a result of being struck by a skateboarder as I was leaving the social psychology class and trying to access the disability ramp in the spring.

Opinion

People in power must be accountable to citizens

August 13

Editor, It is sometimes dangerous to believe that those in power necessarily know what they are doing. It comforts me, therefore, when I see or hear someone question authority, as professor Hugh Witemeyer did in the July 16 Daily Lobo. Referring to President David Schmidly's statements about the search for a new provost, Witemeyer writes, "The president's remarks suggest that he does not understand the principles of shared governance .

Opinion

Johnson Center abandons students during summer

August 13

Editor, Johnson Center may be in the process of installing lights for night sports on Johnson Field. It also may pride itself on its recently acquired stretched hours - remember all the wonderful banners boasting that it would remain open until almost midnight? But it seems that summer is a different story.

Opinion

Accepting church's funds limits academic freedom

August 13

Editor, The patronizing attitude of correspondents like Matt Gallegos, in his July 16 letter to the editor, is all too typical of the Catholic Church. This smugness, based on the church's assumption of possessing superior truth, should be reason enough to spurn its offer of an endowed chairperson.

Opinion

Editorial: Lobo makes changes to better serve readers

July 23

With a new semester comes new ideas. This year, the Daily Lobo will be more accessible to you. We've revamped our Web site, so now it's easier to navigate. Soon we plan to add blogs, video and podcasts, which will provide further insight into the news of the day.

Opinion

College a grand adventure

David J. Schmidly | July 23

Welcome to all of you who are new students of the University of New Mexico. Whether you're an incoming freshman or a transfer from another college or university, we are delighted to have you join our UNM community. And if you're a returning student, we are equally delighted to welcome you back to what we promise will be new and exciting times at UNM.

Opinion

Student involvement key to better campus

Ashley Fate and Joseph Garcia | July 23

Every year, the two student governments, ASUNM and GPSA, establish student priorities to lobby for at the Legislature. This year is no different.

Opinion

UNM-church collaboration a step in the right direction

July 16

Editor, It is unfortunate to see the negative attitudes of some community members in response to the new endowed chairperson for Roman Catholic Studies at UNM. The recent letters to the editor by Bhavana Upadhyaya and Jay Nelson do not present any valid reasons why there should not be such a faculty position at UNM.

Opinion

Q & A: Victoria Samson

Matthew Chavez | July 16

In fall of 2006, the Bush administration announced plans to place an antimissile system in Central Europe for the stated purpose of addressing Middle East ballistic missile threats. Russian President Vladimir Putin has forcefully opposed the perceived intrusion into Moscow's domain, arguing that the "system is targeted against something that does not exist" and could trigger a new arms race that would threaten Eurasian stability.

Opinion

Schmidly's statements may limit provost search

July 16

Editor, On July 11, the Albuquerque Tribune ran a story of interest to all members of the UNM community. Entitled "UNM might not have to look far for provost," the story is based on an interview with UNM President David Schmidly. In this interview, the president tells the reporter that he "is leading a national search for a new provost but says he has a good candidate in his own backyard.

Opinion

Official position for church will harm learning at UNM

July 9

Editor, I find it interesting that Richard Wood, director of the religious studies program, in a recent guest column, basically answered my unpublished letter to the Daily Lobo about the new chairperson endowed by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. What an amazing coincidence.

Opinion

Religious studies should include all faiths, traditions

July 9

Editor, Richard Wood's column on July 2 has some disturbing elements. Firstly, the fact that the percentile truth of "more than half of the state's population" being Catholic is built on a history of subversion and erasure of native spiritualities and traditions.

Opinion

N.M. population growth puts strain on resources

July 9

Editor, The state of New Mexico has reached a new all-time population high, and it doesn't have to deal with outrageous temperatures instigated by global warming. We have 2 million people within our borders that need proper access to water, land, food, shelter, health care and other established universal human rights.

Opinion

Mayor Chávez's actions reduce rights of citizens

July 9

Editor, I'm writing to you because our University students represent our future leaders, and they should be aware of what's going on around them. Based on recent news, Mayor Chávez appears to be hell-bent on running for higher office. He has been quite busy wheeling and dealing in order to get all his ducks in line regardless of the cost to others, and his dictatorial style of management has been a great help to him in accomplishing his objectives.

Opinion

Another historic N.M. park also in need of protection

July 2

Editor, Roosevelt Park in Albuquerque is one of two New Mexico parks on the National Register of Historic Places, contrary to what Mayor Martin Chávez said in an article about Roosevelt Park's renovation. Five Mile Park is also on the National Register.

Opinion

Working with church beneficial

Richard L. Wood | July 2

The UNM regents recently approved an endowed chairperson in Roman Catholic Studies. The person hired for this position will be a professor within the UNM Religious Studies program. In response, Ken Carpenter wrote in the June 18 Daily Lobo with serious concerns about the church influence at UNM.

Opinion

Students with disabilities face bigotry in classroom

July 2

Editor, UNM has a history of ignoring students with disabilities and their needs. Students with disabilities are routinely discriminated against at UNM, and in some cases in the classroom. In a psychology class at UNM in Dane Smith Hall, I had my chair - a chair placed by Accessibility Services in the classroom for my use, a chair with a large sign on it explaining that it was the property of Accessibility Services, a chair I was sitting on - taken by the TA in the class, and I was forced to leave the classroom.

Opinion

UNM nuclear symposium unfairly silenced dissent

July 2

Editor, UNM President David Schmidly recently appointed a committee to review the policies and procedures of animal research conducted at the University. This is all well and good, since there have been reported allegations of animal abuse. It is certainly necessary to get to the truth and correct any wrongdoing that may exist.

Opinion

Comprehensive education reduces sexual prejudices

July 2

Editor, June is recognized as a month of pride for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Putting any and all prejudgments aside, focusing on comprehensive sex education should be an integral part of the celebrations. When young adults do not receive proper sex education, including views on alternative sexual identities, harmful stigmas are allowed to continue to the detriment of society.

Opinion

Cruel live animal projects should be banned at fairs

June 25

Editor, Max Ashbrook Fitzpatrick's call for continued animal suffering at UNM "because it serves as a reminder that our government tortures humans" is as perverse as it is nonsensical. To his credit, Fitzpatrick does correctly parallel the physical and mental wartime trauma suffered by humans with the pains endured by mice at UNM's laboratories.