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Library's east wing reopens after fire

Scott Albright | January 17

Teresa Neely, director of Zimmerman Library, said she has been eager to reopen the east wing of the library since the fire in April. "We're very, very happy to open up this much larger space," she said. Fran Wilkinson, dean of University Libraries, cut the yellow caution tape blocking the east wing Tuesday. Neely said faculty and staff had to share offices for the last year and were grateful for the reopening.

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Suspected car thief nabbed by UNM police

January 17

Staff Report UNM Police arrested a suspected car thief Jan. 10 behind the Golden Pride restaurant at 1830 Lomas Blvd., said Lt. Pat Davis, UNM Police spokesman. When police tried to pull over Saul Puma, 21, he crashed a stolen vehicle into another vehicle driving down Lomas Boulevard.

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UNM gets largest gift in history

Abigail Ramirez | January 16

A national center for health policy will be established at UNM with an $18.5 million donation from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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Smoking banned at Health Sciences

January 16

The Board of Regents Finances and Facilities Committee approved a resolution to ban smoking at the Health Sciences Center at a meeting Dec. 21.

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Hundreds gather to honor MLK

Scott Albright | January 16

About 500 people gathered Sunday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to march down the street that bears his name. Van Sanders, president of the Buffalo Soldiers Society of New Mexico, said King's vision should be kept alive. "All groups have to be a part of the dream," Sanders said. Sanders said King helped the U.S. overcome racism and organized multicultural events. King would have been 78 on Monday.

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Personal info may be at risk after burglary

January 16

At least three computers and four monitors were stolen from the associate provost's office overnight between Jan. 2 and 3, said Lt. Pat Davis, UNM Police spokesman.

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Prepare yourself for a wet winter

January 8

After the record-setting storm crippled both interstates and dumped 11.3 inches of snow at the Albuquerque International Sunport on Dec. 29, it can be hard to imagine that no two flakes are alike.

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Heavy snowfall damages trees, buildings at UNM

Abigail Ramirez | January 8

A winter storm blew through Albuquerque over break, bringing more snow to the city than ever recorded. More than 13 inches of snow was dumped on campus on Dec. 28 and 29. It damaged trees and caused roofs to leak around campus, said Mary Vosevich, director of Physical Plant.

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A tribute to NM first lady

January 8

Lou Ann Hillman said her sister, alumna Dee Johnson, was one of the hardest working first ladies of New Mexico, but her family and friends also remember her as a humble person who loved life, laughter and people. Johnson died of natural causes on Dec. 21. She was 54.

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University's first provost dies

January 8

Viola Florez, dean of the College of Education, said that when Chester Travelstead was dean, he would do anything to improve the college, even if it meant getting on his hands and knees to clean a mess.

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Q & A

January 8

Saddam Hussein was hanged in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 30, the day before Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday. He was executed after he was found guilty of crimes against humanity for the massacre of 148 male Shiite Muslims in the Iraqi city of Dujail in 1982.

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Degree sends grads to state government

Caleb Fort | December 11

UNM's School of Public Administration is tied for third in the nation for the percentage of its graduates who enter state government with a master's in public administration. Seventy-five percent of graduates from the program take jobs in state government, according to the survey by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs

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Frat invites group to national office to discuss concerns

December 11

Representatives from African-American Student Services said their trip to the Sigma Chi fraternity's headquarters in Chicago was a success, but more work needs to be done with the organization.

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Charity provides drive-up drop-off

December 7

Donating to the Salvation Army is now as easy as ordering a Big Mac. The Salvation Army opened a drop-off location at the old Blimpie sandwich shop across from UNM at 1916 Central Ave. S.E. The location lets people be charitable without leaving their vehicles, said Morgan Patterson, director of community relations and development. "What I like about it is the convenience," he said. "The concept is they can do it (donate) through the drive-thru." Patterson said people have visited the location and attempted to order food at the drive-thru. "We thought maybe that might happen," he said. Student Vanessa Ringwald said the drive-thru donation process is odd, but she is glad it's there. "It's going to be convenient," she said. "Hopefully, more people will want to donate."

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Campus planners talk sustainability

Caleb Fort | December 7

It's important for UNM to have a master plan for its Rio Rancho campus, said Roger Schluntz, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. "The question is, are we going to take 220 acres and turn 160 acres of it into a parking lot?" he said. "If we don't do anything and just let the campus happen, we'll end up with something that looks like a shopping center."

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Fill out a FAFSA for possible funds

Caleb Fort | December 6

It's the time of year for finals, vacations and the FAFSA. Although the application process can be daunting, all students should go through it, said Rob Franek, vice president of publishing for Princeton Review books. "I think, generally, just talking about college costs is intimidating to students, as well as their families," he said.

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University scraps its way to top of recycling heap

December 6

It's taken three years for UNM to build up to the top recycling college in the state, said Linda McCormick, manager of UNM's Recycling Department. "The state of New Mexico, as a whole, only recycles something like 9 percent, so we at UNM are trailblazing," she said. "We at UNM are kicking butt - kicking recycling butt." In 2004 and 2006, UNM won the award for the state's Best Postsecondary Education Institute Recycling Program, which is given out every other year by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition. UNM recycles 30 percent of all the recyclable material on campus, McCormick said. The department receives about $175,000 per year to manage the costs of recycling. With about $30,000 in additional funding, she said the department could recycle as much as 40 percent. It isn't practical to salvage all the recyclable materials, said Willie West, manager of the grounds and landscaping division. "Recycling is very important, but you have to look at it from a cost-effective point of view," he said. "We do a very good job with what allocations we have."

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Daily Lobo spotlight

December 5

Michael Chavez Lauren Buerkle Freshmen Mechanical engineering 19 Dating How long have you been dating? Chavez: Not very long, maybe a month. Buerkle: Yeah. How did you meet? Chavez: She was lost in Johnson (Center), and I helped her find her way out. She asked me how I get out of here, ...

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Students can learn to enjoy season's spirits responsibly

December 5

For those who get their holiday cheer from liquor and beer, Randy Haveson has some guidelines to reduce the odds of getting in trouble. Haveson gives talks at colleges and high schools about alcohol consumption and manages a Web site for alcohol education. He said he doesn't tell people not to drink. "I teach people low-risk guidelines on how to drink," he said.

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Don't break the bank in holiday shopping

Abigail Ramirez | December 5

Student Stephanie Gonzales has spent $100 on presents so far, but she is planning on spending about $300 more. "I blow off my entire check on Christmas shopping," she said. "I do try to look for sales. The day after Thanksgiving, I went shopping, and it was insane with lines. But to me, it was good, because I got good sales." Mike Lowrimore, New Mexico regional manager for Bank of the West, said students can save money by looking for the clearance aisles, using coupons and going to the flea market and bargaining for a lower price. Having a set budget and not exceeding that may also help, he said. People make the common mistake of spending their entire budget on one or two gifts to make somebody else happy, he said.