DAILY LOBO new mexico
Dress up see page 4
January 25, 2012
wednesday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Protesters challenge driver’s license legislation by Chelsea Erven and Junfu Han news@dailylobo.com
Demonstrators at the Roundhouse on Tuesday said issues surrounding driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants are not issues of policy, but of human rights. More than 600 people, including several UNM student groups, attended the Immigration Day of Action at the legislature to protest Governor Susana Martinez’s proposed repeal of a 2003 state law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. “I believe that everyone should have a driver’s license because we need it to drive to see our beloved ones, to (drive to) schools to get our education in order to support our families. Having a driver’s license is very important,” UNM student and protester Jaen Ugalde said. Ugalde is a member of New Mexico Dreamers in Action, a statewide, student-led organization whose mission is equal access to higher education for all students regardless of immigration status. Graduate student Christopher Ramirez, one of NM DIA’s organizers, said he attended the event because legislative decisions regarding driver’s licenses affect everyone in the community, not just undocumented immigrants. “…It is an issue of being able to go to schools, being able to go to work, being able to go to church, but also being able to be fully involved in our communities,” he said. “Without the licenses, not only can we not drive, but also there are immigrants who wouldn’t
Junfu Han / Daily Lobo More than 600 people gathered on Immigration Day, Tuesday on the east side of the New Mexico State Capitol to protest HB 103, which would stop issuing driver’s licenses to immigrants who do not have Social Security numbers. be able to be identified, so it’s matter of public safety, it is a matter of human rights…” In addition to Martinez’s proposed repeal, Rep. Andy Nuñez (Declined to state, Doña Ana) proposed HB 103, a bill that would prohibit people without a Social Security number from getting driver’s licenses.
The bill declares the state’s driver’s license situation “an emergency.” Nuñez said New Mexico is one of only two states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. The other state is Washington. He said the bill does not take away the current licenses of individuals without Social
Security numbers, but will prevent individuals without Social Security numbers from applying for licenses in the future. “We’re not going to go out and look for people who have driver’s licenses now that they shouldn’t have them,” Nuñez said. “That’s not in the bill.”
Robin Gould, staff representative from the Communications Workers of America union said the labor union supports immigrant rights. “We have a lot of workers who are immigrants, and they need protection on the job,” she said. “Taking away the driver’s licenses is not a good idea.”
Staff Report
in multiple subjects. “We wanted to make sure that we had stuff for freshmen, stuff for sophomores, stuff for juniors, stuff for seniors,” she said. “We wanted
UNM student Chris White said he would rather buy books. “I can sell (books) back to the Bookstore for half price,” he said. “Although it’s more money up front, it’s the same at the end of the day and if they tell you it isn’t in good enough condition, at least you don’t have to pay the full new price on top of your rental too.” Only used titles are offered as rentals, and textbooks sold in packages with other content are not available for rent. Sparks said the selection of books available is limited by agreements with publishers, who only allow certain books to be lent to students. UNM student James Adams said he has mixed feelings about the Bookstore. “It’s really great that the Bookstore is renting books now, it really is, but they still way overcharge students on books and it’s pretty unfair,” he said. “They are making a huge profit ripping off students who have to have the books, especially last minute, but the people who can, all shop online.”
Textbook rentals may not save students’ money UNM Bookstore Main Campus Book
New
Used
Rental
HIST 162 American Portraits 3/E Vol. 2- Weisner
$78.00
$58.50
$39.00
FS 312 Parent-Child Relations 8/E- Bigner
$105.25
$79.00
$52.75
ECON 105 Macroeconomics 19/E- McConnell
$185.75
$139.50
$93.00
ENVS 101 Blue Planet 3/E- Skinner
$141.50
$106.25
$70.75
MATH 180 Applied Calculus for MGR, Life, & SOC SCI 8/E- Tan
$224.50
$168.50
$112.25
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 116
issue 85
news@dailylobo.com
The UNM Bookstore claims its new textbook rental program will save students money, but cost comparisons of several textbooks might suggest otherwise. The Bookstore began the rental program, which allows students to rent used books at half the price of the book’s new retail price, Bookstore director Melanie Sparks said. Students must return rented books before the last official day of classes each semester, and the book must be in “saleable” condition. “No torn or water-damaged books will be accepted, limited highlighting is acceptable ... Saleable condition (is) as determined by the Bookstore staff,” according to the Bookstore’s rental agreement. If books are deemed “unsaleable,” students are responsible for the entire price of the new book, in addition to the rental fee they already paid. Sparks said the Bookstore offers more than 100 rental titles
No peking
All of the lights
See page 8
See page 5
“It’s really great that the Bookstore is renting books now but they still way overcharge students on books...” ~James Adams UNM Student to make sure the books weren’t all in (liberal arts subjects).” According to the rental waiver, only students “in good standing with the Bursar’s Office” and who are enrolled in classes at UNM are able to rent books.
TODAY
54 | 25