Addison Fulton - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Musings on mulch: participants reflect on ‘Campus Clean Up’

Addison Fulton | April 27

In the morning sun of Friday, April 24, the University of New Mexico hosted a Campus Clean Up as part of the Office of Sustainability Earth Month celebration. After being served coffee and burritos, volunteers were sent to different locations around campus to pick up trash, pull weeds, spread mulch and plant trees. Office of Sustainability Director Anne Jakle said the event drew roughly 50 volunteers. “There is a place for everybody to help implement sustainability at UNM, and there’s so many different areas that people can help in,” Jakle said. “This helps people get out onto campus, to appreciate the trees, the grounds, the amazing wellness benefits that the community, that the campus environment brings, but also have ownership over it, too.”

Culture

‘Bing Tea’ brings boba for ‘Bos

Addison Fulton | April 20

The black food truck with pink and white detailing that houses Bing Tea has become a common fixture at University of New Mexico events. Bing Tea is a mobile food truck selling drinks and desserts at various locations, including frequent appearances at Silent Lights and International Festival. Students often crowd around to enjoy classic flavors such as taro, matcha and more unique offerings including “Honeydew You Love Me,” a melon flavored tea with custard swirl. Bing Tea is a family-operated business, run by husband and wife David and Hieu Le.

Culture

Meet the Lobos asking ‘What’s out there?’

Addison Fulton | April 20

The University of New Mexico has its own aerospace research lab where Lobos touch the stars. Just a ten minute drive from Main Campus is the COSMIAC lab. COSMIAC, or Configurable Space Microsystems, Innovations and Application Center, is a Tier-2 Research Center that focuses on space exploration. Daniel Garcia, a research engineer with UNM COSMIAC, said COSMIAC is special because of the people involved. “Space is hard. Space is really hard. And the fact that we have a group, a cohort here at COSMIAC, that is almost singularly focused on trying to be a part of this really difficult challenge, is really special.  And the kind of way we operate at the center here, it is evolving, and we’re trying to evolve with it. And in the midst of all of that, the thing that remains is these incredible people that are focused and interested and dedicated in the work,” Garcia said. “To come from this community, engaging in what is one of the rapidly growing industries, in this city and in the world, sort of centered here at this lab is really special.”

Culture

Sustainability office looks to engage students

Addison Fulton | April 13

The University of New Mexico is a campus shaded by trees and underscored by a commitment to a more sustainable future. One of its guiding forces in this mission is the UNM Office of Sustainability. Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Alejandría Lyons said the work of the office is largely two-fold, dealing on one side with University operations, changing the policies and practices of institutions to reflect sustainability goals. The other aspect is more student-facing, including “embedding sustainability culture at UNM,” Lyons said. “We help with the sustainability aspects such as food waste, such as recycling, use more sustainable practices and be in partnership to make UNM a greener campus, so on the whole, that’s what the Office of Sustainability does,” Lyons said.

Culture

Alum shares story of cerebral palsy, self-advocacy, success

Addison Fulton | April 6

Travis Davis is a University of New Mexico alum, having graduated in 2016 with a master’s degree in adapted physical education. Since completing his degrees, Davis has worked as a disability advocate, consultant, coach and public speaker. He said that what he wanted to impart to students was the importance of thinking big and not limiting oneself. “Having a visible disability or using crutches or a wheelchair, it just adds extra attention,” Davis said. “In order for me to be a self advocate, in order for me to get the things that I want as a person with a disability, I have to be vocal. In order for me to be vocal, I have to communicate, and that really pushed me out of my comfort zone, because if you’re not vocal about what you want and what your needs are, you’re never gonna get them.”

Satire

Crafternoon offers nuclear reactor building

Addison Fulton | March 30

On Wednesday, April 1, the University of New Mexico hosted a Crafternoon where students built their very own nuclear reactors. The event provided tools and materials for participants to build a fusion or fission core, including lead-lined protective suits, confinement shells, tubing and water for cooling. Students snacked on carrots and hummus and sipped little cans of Diet Pepsi while handling radioactive uranium and plutonium. Ima Lyre, UNM fine arts freshman, said she attended the event out of morbid curiosity and a desire to explore something new. The event was a good way to unwind with friends and connect with new people, she said.

Satire

WALKWAYS CLOSED: UNM pulls weed from soil

Addison Fulton | March 30

Another major construction project is beginning at the University of New Mexico causing major upheaval to the University ecosystem. In addition to the work on the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology and the demolition of the old Humanities building to begin on a new one, UNM announced another project and associated road closure due to a small weed found growing through a walkway. According to UNM Facilities Services, the plant is common crabgrass — its scientific name being “Digitaria sanguinalis” — a harmless garden weed found throughout the Southwest. However, due to the weed’s tendency to spread, the entire section of campus between Dane Smith and Johnson Gym will be closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic until the weed removal is complete

Culture

Documentary celebrates first southern Black woman to join Congress

Addison Fulton | March 23

Film enthusiasts, artists and advocates joined together to learn and take inspiration from Barbara Jordan, the nation’s first southern Black female Congressional representative. After her election, in 1972 to Texas’ 18th district, Jordan played a key role in the impeachment of then-President Richard Nixon. During her testimony she said of herself, “Today I am an inquisitor. And hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution.”

News

ASUNM Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates: Hope Montoya and Owen Salinas

Addison Fulton | March 23

ASUNM Vice President Hope Montoya (ballot #2) is launching a campaign for ASUNM President and joining her ticket, running for Vice President, is ASUNM President Pro-Tempore Owen Salinas (ballot #3). Montoya said she has a three-pillar plan for their campaign: stronger for every Lobo, student life for every Lobo and a voice for every Lobo. She said stronger for every Lobo refers to expanding student support throughout campus, particularly around mental health, food insecurity and financial challenges. “(The second pillar) student life for every Lobo is about building a campus that works for students by expanding academic opportunities, improving essential campus systems, strengthening student safety and transportation,” Montoya said.

News

REVIEW: ‘Nothing’s About to Happen to Me’ wanders into whimsical melancholy

Addison Fulton | March 9

Fan-favorite sad girl Mitsuki Laycock, known as Mitski, released her eighth studio album “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me,” marking a musical shift with a strong emotional core. Dropped on Feb. 27, the album is different from Mitski’s earlier, grungier work, but still an excellent listen. For most of her career, listeners and critics had pigeon-holed Mitski into a role as the ultimate sad girl. For a while, the reputation was deserved — her lyrics were full of pain, her vocals darkly melodic and her instrumentation featuring almost discordant bass and heavy percussion. It was her sad songs that got the biggest hype. Mitski filled a need, she was a voice for the pain a lot of young women carried. That pain screeched on the guitar, wailed through the lyrics, slammed against the drums and it spoke to people.