The ASUNM Lobbying Committee is making an extra push in the upcoming legislative session to sway lawmakers to make UNM's El Centro de la Raza a funding priority.
El Centro de la Raza Director Veronica Mendez-Cruz said the extra funding would help deal with the recent significant enrollment increase in Hispanic students at UNM. A recent 15 percent decrease in the support center's funding has made it hard for El Centro to meet the needs of the students it serves, Mendez-Cruz said.
"The funding cut doesn't make any sense," she said. "Our advisers serve such an important role. The students are losing out on valuable expertise."
Advisers serve as faculty and help reach out to students, Mendez-Cruz said.
Associated Students of UNM Lobbying Director Ed Mazel said the group is asking for money to help El Centro in two ways, by the special funding request and also by a capital outlay request. He said the special funding request, if approved, would be used to subsidize salaries for mentors, tutors, advisers and two additional full-time staff members for the center. It would also update computers and supply sponsorship for cultural activities. The capital outlay request would cover equipment, furniture and fixtures.
"It's such a tight budget this year that I don't expect the special project funding to receive 100 percent," Mazel said. "If we can get the capital outlay passed, it may be able to cover what isn't covered by the special-funding project."
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El Centro de la Raza has helped students transition to UNM by providing support since 1969.
"El Centro helps create a strong place for Hispanics to go," Mazel said. "It is a very beneficial place for the students of UNM."
Mendez-Cruz agreed, saying El Centro was like a "home away from home" for students.
Mazel said he and his staff have been working long hours in Santa Fe to ensure the center gets the funding it needs, and he is optimistic that the lobbying will pay off.
"I'm very optimistic," Mazel said. "With the right people behind the capital outlay request, on both sides of the House and Senate, we can get it through. That is the hard part - convincing the right people that the money is needed. You just have to be there in person. It really makes a difference. They always give you the time if you're there."
Mazel also urged students to attend UNM Day at the Legislature on Monday to support University initiatives and show state lawmakers how involved the students of UNM are.
