Once again, Conceptions Southwest finds itself on uncertain ground due to the Associated Students of UNM.
For the second time in as many semesters ASUNM has threatened the funding of Student Publications and the existence of Conceptions Southwest and Best Student Essays with hardly any debate. Not only is this worrisome, it's also disheartening that the student government doesn't support UNM Student Publications.
Although much of the dismay I feel is directed toward Vice President Steve Aguilar, Sen. Grant Nichols and the rest of the ASUNM Finance Committee because of their witch-hunt tactics, I feel that the entire student government has failed students.
By passing Bill 15A, which put Constitutional Amendment Four on the ballot during this Wednesday's election, the Senate has proved that they don't understand or care that Conceptions Southwest, Daily Lobo and Best Student Essays serve the entire UNM community. The amendment, which would cut Student Publication funding by 12 percent, if passed, could also prove detrimental to the survival of Conceptions Southwest and Best Student Essays.
This would be a terrible blow because Conceptions Southwest is UNM's main literary and arts magazine that welcomes poetry, fiction and art from all walks of University life. The magazine sponsors events such as poetry and fiction readings, holds contests for undergraduate and graduate students and serves as a connection between the UNM creative community and New Mexico's creative community.
It also provides a valuable source of experience for students who want to go into many different fields, including publishing, production and editing. Many students get their first taste of professional writing by submitting their work for consideration. Many student artists showcase their talents within the pages of Conceptions Southwest. The magazine provides the creative outlet that paves the road to many successful careers.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
It's also disconcerting that less than five percent of the student body actually voted in the last ASUNM election and yet ASUNM claims to have full student support. The student publications touch every student's life. Does less than five percent of the student body pick up a copy of the Daily Lobo? It's probably more like 95 percent.
I feel that it is important to stress that Student Publications is not just the Daily Lobo, although the greater amount of funding goes to the student newspaper and rightly so. The Lobo provides an unbelievably great service to the entire UNM community and outside the borders of UNM, as well. It easily is one of the top 25 student newspapers in the country and offers some of the best student reporting, editing and advertising to the UNM community.
ASUNM needs to understand that Conceptions Southwest and Best Student Essays also are two student publications that give their fair share to students, staff and faculty.
This shouldn't be about pitting student groups against student publications. It should be about supporting the intensely hard work that the students have put into these publications to give UNM students the opportunity to succeed and make us all proud to be a part of UNM.
Please vote against Constitutional Amendment Four and help show your support for these wonderful publications.
by Angela Williams
Daily Lobo Guest Columnist
Angela Williams is the editor in chief of Conceptions Southwest. She is a junior majoring in creative writing.
