ASUNM denies ad funding

ASUNM's Finance Committee showed consistency in slashing student groups' budgets Wednesday at the appropriation meeting.

But this time, it was for its own organization.

The Associated Students of UNM's Outreach and Appointments Committee went before the Finance Committee asking for $10,000 for advertising.

The Finance Committee shot the group down, awarding it $1,130.

Student Sen. Mike Mooney, chairman of the outreach committee, said it's a disappointment, but the committee will work with the money it was given.

"It's disappointing because of all our hard work and the time we've spent," Mooney said.

He said the committee wanted to use the money to make a professional video and other advertisements for ASUNM.

Mooney said the committee was working with KNME to produce a video for the Southwest Film Center. He said the video would involve several one- to two-minute ads.

"The idea is to get our name out there," he said.

Mooney said the committee's main goal is to make UNM a more traditional campus. He said more student involvement would add tradition to UNM.

Student Mickey Ide said UNM is traditional, but student groups should advertise more.

"If I knew more, I would be more inclined to be involved," Ide said.

Mooney said the outreach committee wanted to advertise on the sides of UNM shuttle buses. He said the group also hoped to put televisions inside the buses to educate students about ASUNM and upcoming events on campus.

Student Francesca Atencio said she questions where the money for ASUNM's advertising is coming from. She said advertising with TV commercials would bombard students.

"The money should be spent somewhere else where it is actually needed," Atencio said.

Mooney said they also want to hang fliers and posters in the shuttle buses.

Jessie Gleen, a UNM Student, said more advertising would not affect her level of campus involvement.

"It might be entertaining but wouldn't make me want to get more involved with the government," Gleen said.

She said students want more hands-on activities.

Mooney said with the money they were allotted, ASUNM's outreach and appointments committee will have to move to plan B. He said the committee's back-up plan is to make a lower-budget trivia video.

"Money dictates what we do," he said.

Mooney said the committee is also going to ask other student groups for help in making ASUNM's commercials.

He said the finance committee declined the $10,000 request because it wants the outreach committee to use other student groups as resources.

"We will just have to do the cheapest production possible," Mooney said.

He said he plans to meet with KNME again and present them with the money the committee was granted.