News

Feature Photo: Blazing VW

Schmidly: New VPs to focus on diversity

President David Schmidly said he has spared no expense to create two new vice president positions and fill them over the summer. Josephine De Léon will be vice president for equity and inclusion, and Carmen Alvarez Brown will take over the University's enrollment management.

Students petition in support of China

About 30 students from the Chinese Student Association collected signatures at Cornell Mall on Tuesday to support China's hosting of the Olympics. Student Qiao Wang said about 100 people signed the group's banner. Student Bo Yin said the group plans to mail the banner to the Olympic Committee in China.

AP Briefs

NM Tech gets $1.8 million to research water for study HOBBS (AP) - Lea County has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to help the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology research ways to reuse some of the water used in oilfield production. The study, funded by the U.

Spotlight: Christopher Van der Merwe

Senior Biology Daily Lobo: So, what brings you to the SUB this afternoon? Christopher Van der Merwe: I just thought I would get some studying in. As you can see, I'm sort of taking a break. DL: How long have you been playing the piano? CV: Well, my class got canceled - so since 12:30 p.

$9,000 of equipment stolen from building

About $9,000 worth of computer equipment has been stolen from students and faculty at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building in the last two weeks, said Chaouki Abdallah, chairman of the department. Abdallah said the suspect probably has a key to the building, so the department will have to replace all the locks - which could cost up to $20,000.

Basketball team can no longer afford gym

A local wheelchair basketball team said it cannot afford to continue practicing at Johnson Gym. For the past four years, the Albuquerque Kings have paid $500 to practice at Johnson Center's south gym for each session, said Jake Schmalzriedt, a forward on the team.

AP Briefs

17-year-old found dead in restaurant parking lot (AP) - A 17-year-old Albuquerque boy has been found dead in a car in the parking lot of a restaurant. Police say they were called about a fight at an Albuquerque park, then shortly afterward received a call to the restaurant.

Event promotes healthy kids

More than 5,000 people attended the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation's Dia del Nino celebration Saturday. The center, in partnership with New Mexico Children, Youth and Families, sponsored the event to promote healthy, literate children and families in New Mexico.

'Night' raises awareness about violence

About 150 people gathered at Johnson Field on Friday to raise awareness for sexual and domestic violence. The event, called Take Back the Night, included a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the silence associated with abuse. Event coordinator Molly Maguire-Marshall said she was pleased with the community support.

Tribes come together in powwow at The Pit

Tribal pride intermingled with tourists, vendors, artists and years of tradition at The Pit over the weekend. American Indian dancers and singers from all over the U.S. and Canada competed for thousands of dollars in prizes at the Gathering of Nations. Tourists bought bits of American Indian culture from vendors who sold sage, jewelry, beads, shells, leather bags, cowboy hats and exotic Southwestern jams.

Voting session begins for next GPSA president

Graduate students can begin voting for the next GPSA president today. Council Chairman Christopher Ramirez and Student Research Allocations Committee Chairman Danny Hernandez are vying for the presidency of the Graduate and Professional Student Association.

AP Briefs

Environmentalist coalition aims to swing Senate race (AP) - A coalition of environmental groups is targeting the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico to help swing that seat into the Democratic column. The coalition plans to help Democrat Tom Udall in the race against the winner of the Republican primary, either Steve Pearce or Heather Wilson.

Question of the Week

Would you pay more for organic fruit and vegetables? Or do you prefer to buy cheaper produce from a store? Mario Trujillo Junior Exercise science I believe that the produce in general has gotten a lot more expensive. When I go over to Wal-Mart to purchase something, and I see how much vegetables are over there, and I really wouldn't spend money to pay for some of the vegetables that they have.

Student finds rhythm despite hearing loss (Video)

Paul Twitchell can read lips and facial expressions. But he might miss something when a teacher faces away from him in class. So, Twitchell watches sign language interpreters in class to enhance his understanding. Twitchell was born deaf. But he got hearing aids after his parents noticed he could hear loud noises, such as a gunshot or the engine of a low-flying plane.

Growers' market brings local flavor to UNM (Slideshow)

Student Rose Chavez said the UNM Growers' Market is here to stay. The market was set up at Cornell Plaza on Thursday with about 25 vendors, including local farmers and herbalists. The vendors were selling organic foods, vegetables and environmental products.

Bridge dedicated in memory of student

UNM School of Law students and local bicyclists remembered the life of James Quinn during ceremonies Wednesday. Quinn was a law student who was killed Sept. 15 while bicycling on Route 66 in Tijeras Canyon. Mayor Martin Chavez dedicated a bike bridge in Quinn's honor.

AP Briefs

Richardson looks to get licenses, leases for spaceport SANTA FE (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson's administration hopes to secure critical licenses and leases for a planned spaceport in the months ahead, which will clear the way for construction to start. The $200 million spaceport - known as Spaceport America - received a major boost this week when voters in Sierra County approved a tax levy to help pay for construction of the project.

UNM services aim to encourage mental wellness

Students, staff and faculty received information about mental health Wednesday outside the SUB for Mental Health Awareness Day. Event coordinator Christine Tally said the most common mental disorders seen at the Student Health Center are depression and anxiety.

'Action needs to be taken'

This three-part series on disabilities concludes Friday Five years ago, Margaret Leicester was cleaning her basement in Taos when a black widow bit her. A week after she was bitten, she suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. "It made me deaf in my left ear and took away my eyesight all in one moment," she said.