News

Faculty, regents spar over policy

After an hour of heated debate between faculty, staff and University officials, the Board of Regents voted May 28 to revise UNM's policy on inspection of publicˇrecords. Eight revisions to the policy were initially proposed, but only four were adopted. The regents amended the policy to provide the public with more access to University records, and information about candidates seeking employment, current employees and UNM's internal auditing practices.

UNM toughens frat admissions

UNM will raise its standards for admitting members into fraternities starting next fall. The Interfraternity Council unanimously approved a measure that will raise admission standards for new fraternity members. IFC President Mac Woods said 80 percent of new fraternity members must maintain a minimum of a 2.

UNM to curb alcohol spending

The UNM administration has vowed to change its ways after The Albuquerque Journal ran an exposé last month that revealed how much University money is being spent on alcohol. The Journal's article focused on Marc Saavedra, director of UNM's Government and Community Relations office.

FBI sponsors UNM forensics lab

UNM was chosen as a site for an FBI-sponsored forensics lab. Agent Darrin Jones said UNM's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory will be operational in the next two years. The University has yet to decide where the lab will be built, he said. Jones said the lab will help law enforcement investigate crimes involving digital media, such as cyberterrorism, child pornography and Internet fraud.

AP Briefs

28 arrested in Santa Fe fugitive roundup SANTA FE (AP) - New Mexican law enforcement agencies arrested 28 people during an effort to round up 200 fugitives with outstanding warrants in Santa Fe County, authorities said. Most of the arrests Saturday involved felonies and cases related to narcotics trafficking.

ASUNM fights senator truancy

ASUNM voted Thursday to punish senators who don't show up to meetings. The Associated Students of UNM voted unanimously to issue demerits to senators who skip meetings or leave early. After three demerits, senators will lose their speaking privileges for one meeting, and if they continue to neglect their duties, they will lose their positions, according to the bill.

Sorority shaves heads for cancer

Three sorority members shaved their heads, and Alpha Chi Omega donated about $7,000 to help find a cure for children's cancer on Saturday night. The sorority sisters gave up their hair to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds cancer research.

Student begins campus group to help veterans

Doctoral student Darrin Kowitz is establishing the University's first organization for veterans. Kowitz said he served in the Army in the '90s and wants to help veterans make the transition from the military to academics. "I've got about 50 veterans in my e-mail so far that are students of UNM," he said.

Police: Boyar admitted to having guns in dorm

Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for the UNM Police Department, said student Kevin Boyar confessed to having guns in his dorm during questioning Tuesday. Boyar was released on a $900 bond paid by his mother Wednesday morning after he was arrested outside the Student Residence Center on Tuesday.

Feature Photo: Cleaning up

UNM Police arrest 17 in April 'Spring Clean'

During the month of April, the UNM Police Department was cleaning house. The department followed every tip it received about illicit activities on campus as part of "Operation Spring Clean." Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for the department, said students should not be frightened to come forward in reporting illegal activities around campus.

Acquaintances: Boyar was either 'positive' or 'crazy'

Some students who know Kevin Boyar said he was mild-mannered and sweet. But others said he was irritable and had a bad temper. Kaethe Richter, who went to high school with Boyar, said he was a "very positive person" who enjoyed participating in sports. Richter said he was an athletic trainer at Eldorado High School, was on the swim team and enjoyed spending time with his mother.

Students wonder why UNM didn't send emergency alerts

Students who lived in the Student Residence Center with Kevin Boyar wondered why they were not informed by the TextMe UNM system when their neighbor was arrested Tuesday. "I was just walking to go eat at La Posada, and all these security guards surrounded all of us and started screaming at us to get behind a car," student Kaela Barber said.

Police: Student had guns on campus

Boyar The UNM Police Department arrested student Kevin Boyar on Tuesday on charges of unlawfully carrying a gun onto a University establishment. Police said four guns were recovered from Boyar's parents' house, including an AK-47 assault-style rifle, and there is evidence he brought the weapons to his room in the Student Residence Center.

Tribe: Heritage lost to mining (Video)

Big Mountain, an area near Black Mesa, Ariz., used to be a place of peace and tradition, but now the land is being destroyed by the Peabody Coal Company, said Allen Cooper, a former member of the Big Mountain Support Committee. Cooper said the Navajo land has no electricity or water, and the people there provide for themselves.

Question of the Week

Could a campus shooting happen at UNM? Joseph Baldonado Freshman Undecided I really do think that it could happen. Luckily, they were investigating it. I'm glad they were able to catch him. Nick Martinez Freshman Architecture It could happen anywhere. America is a crazy place - especially with all the other different campus shootings across the nation going on.

George Pearl Hall built to foster students' creativity

Student Chris Flynn has spent many late nights working on his designs at the School of Architecture and Planning. Flynn sits behind a desk piled high with the papers, building plans and tools he needs for his assignments. As an architecture student, Flynn has 24-hour access to George Pearl Hall, and he needs it.

Student arrested for having guns on campus

The UNM Police Department arrested student Kevin Boyar, 19, for unlawfully carrying guns on campus Tuesday. Chief Kathy Guimond said UNMPD received an anonymous tip that Boyar had guns in his room at the Student Residence Center. No guns were recovered from Boyar's dorm, but Guimond said officers found evidence that weapons had been in the room.

AP Briefs

Investigation finds fire caused crash (AP) - An engine compartment fire triggered by a ruptured oil line caused a small airplane to crash-land in northern New Mexico, killing the pilot and his wife, federal investigators say. Glenn Elliott, 75, a retired Sandia National Laboratories engineer, and his wife, Laurie McKnight, 75, a retired teacher, were killed last Aug.

Spotlight: Lisa Gillim

Sophomore Elementary education Daily Lobo: Why did you choose elementary education? Lisa Gillim: One day, I went to an elementary school, and I saw lots of kids, and I knew that's just what I wanted to do. DL: You're not worried that it might stress you out some? LG: It might a little bit, but I'll just have to overcome that in time.