by Jennifer Onuska
ASUNM President
Duff Lill
ASUNM Lobby Director
Ed Mazel
ASUNM Assistant Lobby Director
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Do you want year-round tax-free textbooks, no tuition increases, to maintain the lottery scholarship and more opportunities for internships in the governor's office?
Well, ASUNM is here for you. The ASUNM Lobby Committee has made these issues a priority in the upcoming legislative session.
The ASUNM Lobby Committee is comprised of two directors and a committee containing volunteers. The ASUNM president works very closely with this committee to make sure student objectives are met.
The ASUNM Lobby Committee represents the students of the University of New Mexico to various University departments, the State Legislature and the Albuquerque community. Both lobby directors sit on many committees that are directly involved with the University lobby efforts such as UNM Planning Council, Lobos for Legislation and the budget subcommittee.
The first objective of this year's Lobby Committee is full funding of the formula with no tuition credit. The objective is to lobby the legislature for little or no increase in tuition. We plan on explaining this entire complex process in our next article appearing in the Dec. 2 edition of the Daily Lobo. That article will be dedicated solely to upcoming tuition issues.
Another goal for the Lobby Committee is year-round tax-free textbooks. This has been an issue for the past two years. As students, we understand that textbooks are expensive enough without adding taxes. Currently, there are two weeks designated for tax-free textbooks at the beginning of each semester. However, if the bookstore is out of a book, a professor is late to order a book, or if you alter your schedule, then you are out of luck and have to pay full price. Thus, we feel it is a priority for tax-free textbooks year-round.
Our third objective is to maintain the current status of the lottery scholarship. Recently, the lottery scholarship has received some negative publicity due to studies conducted evaluating the scholarship. However, it is our belief that many students would not be attending UNM without this aid. Not only has the lottery scholarship helped more students attend college, but also it has kept students in New Mexico who would have left otherwise.
The Lobby Committee is also pursuing a program that came to a halt in 1994. The program was called New Mexico Fellows and offered students who attended two- or four-year universities in New Mexico the opportunity to spend the summer in the governor's office. Students lived in Santa Fe for the summer and were provided with a stipend. The New Mexico Fellows program would ensure quality future leaders in New Mexico by enhancing these students' leadership skills thorough a unique firsthand experience.
On Feb. 10, near the middle of the legislative session, there will be a day dedicated to UNM at our state capital called "UNM Day at the Legislature." Alumni, students, faculty and staff will display venues, speak to legislatures and "lobby."
We would appreciate students to help us lobby our initiatives on this day. If you are interested in participating in UNM Day at the legislature please contact ASUNM. We will have an interest meeting at the end of January to further educate students about our initiatives. At this meeting we will disclose further valid details and information.
You may also help out the ASUNM effort by writing letters to your state representatives. It is of critical importance for these leaders to hear first-hand your concerns and opinions on issues that affect your University.
ASUNM Lobby Committee . . . fighting for the students and their rights!
