News

Chicano Studies position up in air

Nearly 60 people attended a presentation Wednesday where Dorothy Baca, associate professor of theater and dance, said she is more qualified for the position of director of the Chicano/a Studies program than some may think. Baca agreed to give a second presentation after a coalition of students and community members concerned about the program and the search for its future director expressed concern about the publicity and attention that was given to her first presentation.

Community members argue for, against war

About 40 people gathered in Dane Smith Hall Wednesday night to hear two speakers debate the pros and cons of waging war against Iraq. The pro speaker for the event was Alex Hughes, a UNM sophomore and member of the College Republicans. He talked about the number of banned weapons that Saddam Hussein has in his possession and that are currently missing.

green thumbs

COLUMN: Protest government in patriotic fashion

by Richard M. Berthold Daily Lobo Columnist If you disagree with the policies of the Bush administration, especially regarding a war with Iraq, it is your patriotic duty to make your disagreement known in whatever way that suits your circumstances and skills.

Engineering attends gender-equity conference

UNM's School of Engineering was one of 27 colleges to participate in a recent gender-equity conference at the National Academy of Engineering that was designed to highlight cutting edge research and accelerate gender equity in university settings. The conference, "Leveraging Experience to Accelerate Progress: Moving Towards Gender Equity in Engineering Education," in Washington, D.

New regent says he can tackle issues creatively

Donald H. Salazar says that he would like to serve the UNM Board of Regents with distinction and wants to be known as a hard-working public servant. Salazar, who has been a practicing attorney in the private sector for more than 30 years, said that he believed he was chosen as regent because the governor has confidence in his abilities.

Brief entered in high court

As the national debate over affirmative action in higher education continues, a group of UNM law students and faculty have offered a New Mexico slant on the issue for the U.S. Supreme Court to consider. Third-year law students Samantha Adams and Julie Sakura, along with UNM law professor Margaret Montoya, have written and filed an amicus, also called a "friend of the court," brief to accompany the University of Michigan's pro-affirmative action side of the landmark case Gruetter v.

Proceeds from Greek Week to benfit city zoo

The UNM Greek system is planning to use this year's Greek Week to strengthen the sense of community among its organizations and boost its priority of community service events. "Philanthropy is the number one reason Greek Week exists," said Heidi Lowrimore, overall co-chairperson of Greek Week 2003 and member of the Alpha Xi Omega sorority.

New regent James Koch to focus on health sciences

New Reg. James Koch has long ties to UNM. He said his grandfather was a visiting professor in 1914 and that he is a University alumnus, playing football for the Lobos on scholarship. Originally from Santa Fe, Koch said he is pleased and grateful that he was appointed to the UNM Board of Regents.

Committee down to presidential semifinalists

The UNM Presidential Search Committee will conduct 12 to 15 interviews in Dallas for the next president of UNM Thursday through Saturday. Committee Chairwoman Maria Griego-Raby said that conducting interviews out of town for high profile jobs is a standard practice and that Dallas provides an inexpensive, easily accessible hub.

Employee violates alcohol policy

University police are investigating a possible violation of the University's alcohol policy by an employee of the Department of Media Arts. Officers were called to Popejoy Hall Feb. 16 in response to a report of two individuals wandering the corridors of the building's basement.

Film heightens racial awareness on campus

The atmosphere in Keller Hall Monday for the screening and discussion of “The Two Towns of Jasper” — a documentary film about the racially motivated murder of a Texas man, was open and calm. The event moderator, Marsha Hardeman, began the event by asking the packed crowd questions like, “How many of you have been involved in a racist or discriminative situation?” Very few people raised their hands.

Regent familiar with UNM

Andrea Cook believes she was chosen by Gov. Bill Richardson to be UNM’s student member of the UNM Board of Regents because of her knowledge and familiarity with the University campus and community. “I served as the UNM undergraduate student body president and was a student adviser to the regents during my stint as president of ASUNM,” Cook said.

SDSU extends Lobos’ streak to 16

Staff Report The UNM men’s basketball team got “burned” by San Diego State University Monday night. SDSU freshman forward Evan Burns had a career night, helping his team defeat the Lobos 89-73. “Evan Burns was the difference tonight,” head coach Ritchie McKay said on 770 AM.

Environmental artist inspired by N.M.

Nancy Holt, an internationally known sculpture artist, said she bypasses museum settings to create works that incorporate aspects of their surrounding natural environment. Battling cold and rainy weather, dozens of students and University staff turned out Monday night to hear the presentation.

New regents' profiles

Gov. Bill Richardson appointed four new members to the UNM Board of Regents Jan. 23. As regents, the four will help make policy for the University. Andrea Cook, James Koch, Donald Salazar and Maria Griego-Raby attended their first regents meeting Wednesday, and are eager to begin serving their respective terms.

Grant given to literacy program

The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded the UNM Center for Family and Community Partnerships in the College of Education a $2.3 million grant to begin local efforts to improve language and reading skills in young children, called Project LEER. Project LEER, an acronym for Learners Eager for Early Reading, which is also Spanish for "to read," is an Early Reading First Program.

Digital reconfiguration

Two UNM electrical engineering students are combining existing technologies with their own concepts in an attempt to create a new way of training medical personnel syringe injection techniques. Daniel Derkacs and Bill Anderson's electrical engineering senior design class project is to write software for a needle simulator device based in virtual reality that someday could be a more effective tool than traditional cadavers.

SouthWest film to tell story of hate crime

Staff Report ASUNM, the SouthWest Film Center and Student Special Events will present a one-time screening of "The Two Towns of Jasper" -- a documentary film about the racially motivated murder of a Texas man -- in Keller Hall at 7 p.m., tonight. "The Two Towns of Jasper" tells the story of James Byrd Jr.

UNM writers to get workshop

UNM faculty, staff and students who are interested in writing manuscripts can attend a free panel discussion tonight meant to inform would-be writers about the ins and outs of getting published.