Today my fellow UNM students, we embark on an important journey. Alright, maybe its not that important, but today's ASUNM election does have some significance.
Today, students are being asked to vote and pass an amendment that would allow ASUNM fees to be increased from $14 to $20, cut Student Publication fees and use that money to fund ASUNM groups.
Who the hell is ASUNM anyway and why should we, the students, vote to give more money to an organization that seems is only supported by the Greek society anyway.
If anyone knew what happens behind the scenes at the Daily Lobo, they would know that funding one of the largest circulating newspapers in New Mexico is not an easy task.
ASUNM claims the Lobo is gaining a $12,000 surplus and cutting their funding won't hurt. What financials are you looking at ASUNM? Show the students. You claim to represent us, show us the money.
What I really want to know is why ASUNM is so determined to cut Student Publications' fees? I remember working for the Lobo as a freshman, and I used to hear countless rumors that ASUNM wanted to cut the Lobo's funding. That was three years ago.
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What are they going to use the money for? What new groups are so important that they have to take money away from the independent voice of UNM?
If anything, the Daily Lobo represents the students more than ASUNM does.
Where else can any student or faculty member voice his or her opinions on parking services, financial aid, or some of the incompetent teachers at UNM? I know nobody can do that at an ASUNM meeting. ASUNM claims nobody attends the meetings and nobody knows what they are about.
How about you tell us what you are about. I never see any of the elected officials around campus notifying the student body about meetings and agendas coming up.
I am sure I speak for the majority when I say the only time I ever hear about the ASUNM is during election time when people want to pass out candy and plead everyone to get out and vote.
ASUNM does not represent the majority. It represents the minority. I don't have statistics, but I am almost certain the 4.9 percent out of the 5 percent of the student body that voted last time were from Greek society.
That's who ASUNM is really representing. Grant Nichols doesn't represent me. But I'm certain he represents Andrea Cook, Jason Shaffer and Evan Kist just to name a few.
Every single candidate talks about how communication is the key to making this place a better place to be. How are you going to communicate to 30,000 people daily without the newspaper?
You tell the students of UNM how pumping more money into groups and funds such as the Crafts Studio, Film Committee and Student Special Events is going to make this a better place. Are you going to stand outside and talk to people as they walk to class?
I don't think so. That only seems to happen when somebody wants to run for an office so they can add it to their rÇsumÇ.
You want to make a difference and communicate better?
How about increasing the amount of money Student Publications receives so they can reach more people and communicate better.
The sad part about all this is that Amendment Four probably will pass.
Like I mentioned earlier, the majority of the people involved in ASUNM and their issues are the Greek community.
They will follow their leaders and vote for what they want. Students who really care about their education are more worried about passing classes, enrolling in classes, paying for their education and graduating with a degree.
I will certainly be out there to vote against Amendment Four. Students of New Mexico, if there is one time that you ever vote for anything on campus, vote on this issue.
You know that saying that the majority rules, well, lets make that true today. Do not let ASUNM take away something that is one of the defining entities of UNM.
by Jesse Mu§iz
Daily Lobo Guest Columnist
Jesse Mu§iz, former Daily Lobo sports editor, is studying accounting in the Anderson Schools of Management.
