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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

YouTube channels to stay motivated (and entertained) during the pandemic

With no relief in sight as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the United States, it can be difficult for students to stay motivated when all they want to do is glue themselves to their phones and watch YouTube. The solution? Watching videos that are motivational enough to jump right out of bed to work out, study or try new recipes. Workout Channels: Yoga with Adriene Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel wherein Adriene Mishler, a certified yoga instructor, guides her viewers through yoga sessions of different lengths and topics.  For example, Mishler has a video on her channel, titled “Yoga for Writers,” to help people that sit at their desk all day and need relief for their brain and wrists.

New Mexico United rolls into playoffs with 1-0 victory

In an extraordinary season, New Mexico United has met every challenge with tenacity and remarkable verve. Those efforts paid off after a team performance sent New Mexico into the playoffs with a style-affirming flourish in the club’s second season. French winger Joris Ahlinvi scored in the 57th minute, Real Monarchs SLC put on a woeful performance and United punctuated its regular season finale with a victory at Zion’s Bank Stadium on a late September evening. With the win, United kept its sparkling record against the Monarchs in 2020 unblemished, finishing the season 4-0 against its neighbors to the northwest.

UNM employees plead for better working conditions, hazard pay

With the University of New Mexico currently reporting 42 cases of COVID-19 among students, faculty and staff, some employees working on campus are requesting better working conditions and hazard pay. Dante Gonzales, a representative of the labor union Communications Workers of America, explained some of the fears and concerns UNM employees have, many of which have been lingering since the coronavirus pandemic began over six months ago. When asked about job security and the potential for layoffs, Gonzales said the rumor mill is abuzz. “(There is) lots of fear around that, especially with temporary workers, because there are definitely rumors about layoffs and furloughs,” Gonzales said. “But to my knowledge, there have been no answers regarding that question.”

Four UNM buildings still bear names of violent conquistadors

The University of New Mexico’s Committee on Naming has reported to President Garnett Stokes that UNM should develop thorough criteria and an enduring, community-inclusive process for removing controversial names from campus buildings. After a counter-protester shot a man protesting the Juan de Oñate statue outside the Albuquerque Museum in June and the sign outside UNM’s Oñate Hall was vandalized, Stokes requested that the committee review the University’s building renaming policy.  The committee reported their conclusions and recommendations in a memo sent to Stokes on Sept. 23. The committee reported their conclusions and recommendations in a memo sent to Stokes on Sept. 23. 

Sept 28, 2020 Comics

‘Boys State’ captures vitality of democracy

Politics is hell. There’s the systemic corruption which pervades our democratic process, as well as the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the federal government which we’re taught, and there’s that mixed bag of stale and divisive political actors we’re forced to see and deal with. “Boys State,” however, offers refuge from the bullshit of politics without censoring it and consequently creates a window into how intimate and raw a democracy could and should be.

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

‘Re-education’ podcast spotlights campus Black cultural centers

In a time where social justice issues are constantly in the news and at the forefront of our minds, the new podcast “Re-Educated” helps process these concerns and looks at ways to better uplift the Black community. This podcast was released by the New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs on Sept. 17, and is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. “Re-Educated” is hosted by Danni Golden and co-host Devon Williams. Golden uses her “voice, powerful conversation skills and business connections to uplift her community” and Williams “conducts community outreach for all aspects of the African American community in New Mexico, including collaboration with community stakeholders, programs and initiatives, and policy and advocacy,” according to the podcast’s website.

UNM professor spearheads project to 3D print 5,000 masks for immigrants

Dr. Christina Salas, a University of New Mexico associate professor in the department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation, was given a $15,000 grant at the beginning of September from the Con Alma Foundation to produce about 5,000 masks for the immigrant community — regardless of documentation status — in New Mexico. Salas has been leading a project with UNM staff and students, as well as volunteers, to print masks with a 3D printer since April. The actual distribution of the masks started the first week of May, according to Salas. “It’s a lot easier for us to address the immediate need of protecting people against the pandemic, so that’s why we chose this mask-making effort,” Salas said.

Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict sparks nightly protests in Albuquerque

Joining nationwide protests over the grand jury verdict in the police murder of Breonna Taylor, protesters in Albuquerque have taken to the streets every night since the decision to not indict the officers was announced on Sept. 23.  Taylor was a 26-year-old Black woman killed in her apartment by Louisville, Ky. police officers during the execution of a no-knock warrant in March. A grand jury indicted one officer, Brett Hankison, for wanton endangerment for his actions that night, but none of the three officers who fired shots are facing charges for Taylor’s murder.

College voters poised to impact 2020 election

As the 2020 general election approaches, the role college voters might play is taking shape. Early polling indicates young voters are highly engaged and that college students strongly favor Democratic nominee Joe Biden, making them a potentially pivotal group. Voters aged 18-29 turned out in the 2018 midterm elections at a higher rate than any time in the last 30 years, according to U.S. Census Data. Furthermore, over 70% of college students surveyed in a recent poll by College Pulse said they were definitely voting. The majority of college students polled are planning to vote for Biden instead of President Donald Trump — but the trend seems to be driven by disdain for the president, not enthusiasm for Biden.

Best Buddies New Mexico to hold virtual Celebration Week

Best Buddies New Mexico (BBNM) will host a free and easily accessible Celebration Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 in an endeavor to minimize the isolation facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The event will consist of daily activities available on Zoom beginning at 7 p.m., ranging from a jobs social gathering to a multicultural celebration. While registering for the week’s events is recommended — as doing so will enable participants to receive notifications of activities and a bingo card to win prizes — it won’t be mandatory, as interested parties can simply access a Zoom link on BBNM’s website and tune in at will throughout the week.

‘Alarming’ inaction: Department chair calls for transparent investigation of UNMPD

American Studies Chair David Correia is calling for a community-led investigation of the University of New Mexico Police Department “with a focus on finding alternatives to armed police on UNM’s campus,” per a letter Correia sent to UNM President Garnett Stokes on Friday. The letter was written in part as a response to UNMPD officer Eric Peer, who recently returned to work after two weeks of paid leave following an investigation for a racist TikTok video that featured a “scanning for Mexicans” South Park voice over. University spokesperson Cinnamon Blair said disciplinary action has been taken but wouldn’t say what that disciplinary action was. The Daily Lobo has filed a records request in an attempt to learn the nature of the sanctions levied on Peer.

Sex workers move services online after strip club shutdown

(10/05/2020) EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with contributions and input from a sex worker rights expert.  Since Albuquerque’s strip clubs shut down following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s subsequent order for non-essential businesses to close in March, some sex workers have adjusted by moving their services online. Online adult entertainment, ranging from webcam or “camming” sites to more traditional pornography sites, has seen a surge in activity in the last 6 months. Sex work online has become an increasingly popular way for people to create, own and publish their own content and support themselves financially amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

2nd Albuquerque Junk Jog crowdsources public litter removal

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the City of Albuquerque had its Second Annual Junk Jog where citizens plogged — or picked up litter while jogging — to their heart’s content. What started as a fitness trend in Sweden circa 2016, plogging — from the Swedish word “plokka up,” meaning “to pick up” — has made its way into the United States as a way for communities to come together for the environment and a brisk morning of exercise, according to the Washington Post. Upon arrival at the Junk Jog, ploggers were met by a team from the City of Albuquerque and given trash bags, gloves and a mask. Participants were encouraged to pick their local routes and follow the various health guidelines concerning COVID-19, according to the City of Albuquerque’s website.

Mountain West resuscitates 2020 football season

The Mountain West Conference announced on Thursday, Sept. 24 that college football will return before the spring semester. In a statement released on the Mountain West’s official Twitter, it states that the season will begin on Oct. 24, with the conference championship game on Dec. 19. New University of New Mexico football head coach Danny Gonzales posted a statement to the Lobo football Twitter just after the announcement espousing excitement for the upcoming — and seemingly unexpected — fall season. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete and represent our University, the city of Albuquerque and the great state of New Mexico!” Gonzales said.

Sept 23, 2020 Comics

'Tomorrow we rise:’ Ginsburg’s legacy honored in Albuquerque

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her judicial fight for women’s equality, passed away Friday, Sept. 18 at the age of 87. In response, an event called “When There are Nine: Remembering RBG and a Call to Action” was held at Tiguex Park on Sunday evening. “If there was ever a moment folx were waiting for to be mad as hell, this is it,” the event page stated, referring to President Donald Trump and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s promise to replace Ginsburg before the imminent election.

New Mexico United loses first ‘home’ game of road warrior season

COLORADO SPRINGS — Over 800 New Mexicans took the trip up I-25 to Weidner Field to attend the first “home” game of the season after the Colorado Springs Switchbacks allowed its southern rivals to rent out their stadium.   New Mexico United allocated tickets to United fans and gave the players and fans a “home” game experience on Saturday, Sept. 19. The stadium was set up to adhere to coronavirus guidelines — seats were spaced out, masks were required in and around the stadium, and elbows and fist bumps replaced more up close and personal celebratory gestures. Still, fans were able to come together and celebrate their club for the first time since last October.