Ryan Floersheim - The Daily Lobo

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Speakers come at high cost

Ryan Floersheim | March 24

Frequent visits to UNM by famous speakers and performers come with hefty price tags - and students often foot the bill, officials say. Michael Moore, the liberal author and filmmaker who made an appearance on campus in October, made an estimated $35,000, a portion of which came from UNM student fees, said Kevin Stevenson, executive director of Student Special Events, the organization that brings many acts to UNM.

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Tourney brings cash to UNM

Ryan Floersheim | March 23

UNM is quickly learning how fruitful national exposure can be, as its second year as host of the NCAA women's basketball tournament is bringing enormous crowds and loads of cash. Even though the women's team was dismantled by national powerhouse Florida on Saturday, as of Wednesday afternoon, fewer than 700 tickets remained for The Pit's 16,000 available seats as an enthusiastic crowd waited to see the Gators face Baylor.

News

Pond gets spring cleaning

Ryan Floersheim | March 23

The UNM Grounds and Landscaping crew spent its spring break cleaning the Duck Pond after years of abuse by passersby who inadvertently muddied the pond's water by overfeeding its wildlife inhabitants. Feeding the ducks and goldfish bread, a common occurrence at the Duck Pond, led to more than four feet of sludge accumulating on the pond's bottom, endangering the animal's lives and making the water unsightly, said Gary Smith, associate director of UNM's Environmental Services Department.

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UNM-West keeps growing

Ryan Floersheim | March 22

In an effort to help it come through on its commitment of offering higher education to all New Mexicans, UNM is taking an increasing interest in expanding the services on its West Side campus. Started from a small program within Rio Rancho Elementary School in 1990, UNM-West has seen an explosion of popularity with the nontraditional, part-time students who are increasingly making up student bodies nationwide, said Jeronimo Dominguez, vice provost of the Extended University.

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2% raise angers faculty, staff

Ryan Floersheim | March 11

The 2 percent increase in faculty and staff salaries Gov. Richardson signed off on Tuesday isn't enough for UNM to remain competitive in retaining top professors or to raise lagging morale among employees, University community members say. UNM's Board of Regents and President Caldera pushed for a 5 percent increase, even challenging the state's Legislature to find funding for a 10 percent raise.

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Juggling club recruits with awe

Ryan Floersheim | March 10

One group at UNM prefers to unicycle and juggle its way to happiness. "To play," was all William Matthews, assistant director of the Juggling and Unicycling Club, had to say when he described the ragtag group that has been in existence for two years at the University.

News

Union wages approved

Ryan Floersheim | March 9

In a split decision that brought a standing ovation from some and sighs of disgust from others, UNM's Board of Regents voted Monday to unionize the construction of the University Hospital's west wing. The regents voted 4-2 in favor of implementing the proposed project labor agreement that will for the first time demand union-style wage guarantees and benefits for a construction project at UNM.

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APD sued by UNM couple

Ryan Floersheim | March 8

Apparently, it doesn't always pay to be a Good Samaritan. Just ask Margaret Lopez, 24, and Jake Hochhalter, 22, UNM seniors who have spent the past five months engaged in a legal struggle they say they don't belong in. And, according to the lawsuit the couple has filed against two Albuquerque Police officers, it was their willingness to help their fellow man that landed them in the precarious situation.

News

CIRT warns of campus virus threat

Ryan Floersheim | March 8

UNM's central computer system has remained under attack from several viruses for most of the semester, and University officials say they are relying on diligence by community members to fight the problem. Scott Parker, a technical support analyst at UNM's Computer Information Resources Technology Department, said unlike past viruses that had the ability to duplicate themselves once inside a computer system and infect an entire network, the Beagle and Netsky viruses are much less sophisticated.

News

Noise permits prevent party fines

Ryan Floersheim | March 4

A free permit available through the city's Environmental Health Department can save party planners hundreds of dollars in fines and troublesome run-ins with police. Noise variance permits, which allow for noise levels of up to 80 decibels or about the equivalent of a loud home stereo, ensure that loud house parties will not be interrupted by neighbors or police, said Susan Gallegos of the Environmental Health Department.