Parking has become a serious problem for many students at UNM - permits have become more expensive, and the scarcity of spaces has forced some people to settle for lots far from campus. UNM's Parking and Transportation Services representatives said they are working to remedy these problems and help students take advantage of their best options.
Campus housing underwent upgrades and renovations this summer in time for incoming students. But some students say the upgrades only scratched the surface of what the dorms need. Walt Miller, associate vice president of Student Life, said the renovations are the first phase of a larger renovation process.
Albert Palma and Zachery Watkins are the latest of more than a dozen Fulbright Scholars to come from UNM in the last five years. The Fulbright Scholar Program has promoted international exchanges at UNM since the program was founded in 1946. Watkins was awarded the grant in order to travel to Germany to be a teacher's assistant in a high school English class.
Congress approved a new GI Bill in July, which will take effect in August 2009. The bill includes changes that will add more benefits for veterans who want to go to college. Darrin Kowitz, a graduate student who established a support group for veterans at the University last year, said the new GI Bill is long overdue and has almost double the funding of the previous one.
Changes will be made to the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship this fall - some of which will make it available to a wider range of students. Reed Dasenbrock, state secretary of higher education, said there are four major changes to the Lottery Scholarship criteria.
On Friday, anti-war protesters from the Year Five Coalition met on campus to march a $200 reimbursement to the Student Activities Center. The payment was for campus property damage that occurred during a spring break protest. Over spring break, protesters left red handprints on UNM signs, sidewalks and streets near the Public Policy building on Sigma Chi Road.
UNM graduate students with children cannot receive child care subsidies from the state, according to current New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department policy. Lissa Knudsen, Graduate and Professional Student Association council chairwoman, said she is concerned with the issue because it is preventing many students with children from attending graduate school.
The Humanist Society of New Mexico and its UNM chapter aim to teach social responsibility through education and discussion. Harry Willson, an author and member of the state chapter of the Humanist Society, said the philosophy of humanism emphasizes reason, science and human interests and often rejects the importance of belief in God.
Chartwells took over UNM dining services June 6 and has already made changes to the SUB and La Posada. After receiving a great deal of student feedback on the subject, the Board of Regents reached a consensus in March to sign an eight-year contract with Chartwells instead of renewing one with Aramark.
It's not easy to reduce the carbon footprint of a campus of 20,000, but UNM is taking strides to reach that goal. This month, a new sustainability policy came into effect on campus that will cause many changes across the University. Terry Horger, the program coordinator for Sustainability Studies, said this policy is the product of hard work from the program in cooperation with UNM's Policy Office.
Solutions by The State News
