DAILY LOBO new mexico
For the love of the game see page 12
February 14, 2011
monday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Area construction results in shuttle detour by Barron Jones
bjones36@unm.edu The City of Albuquerque announced construction plans that will force UNM’s south lot shuttle to use an alternate route. Beginning Feb. 21, all traffic on Yale Boulevard between Avenida Cesar Chavez and Lead Avenue will shut down as crews begin ripping up concrete in order to install a drainage system under the road. UNM Parking & Transportation Services operates up to 10 shuttle buses that relay between main campus and south lot, so the department doesn’t expect many delays, spokesman Brian Kilburn said. He said his department is working with the city to avoid major traffic problems. “We have our finger on the pulse of the situation,” he said. “We will address any delays as they arise.” All northbound traffic on Yale Boulevard, including UNM’s south lot shuttle, will be detoured westbound on Avenida Cesar Chavez. Southbound traffic on Yale Boulevard will be detoured to Lead Avenue. City officials said they expect the project to last about 30-60 days. Area residents and business owners do not share the city’s optimism. Business owner Connie Nellos, of Quarters BBQ and Package Liquors, said the planned closure will hurt business. Resident Karl Swinehart said he is
frustrated by the construction. “Simple tasks such as returning home from work or buying groceries becomes a major project,” he said. Swinehart said he has mixed feelings when it comes to the city’s communication practices. “When I called to complain, I didn’t even get a chance to leave a voice message before the project manager, Patti Watson, returned my call,” he said. “But as far as me receiving prior notice for closures, communication has been very poor.” The construction is part of the Lead and Coal Improvement Project, which according the city website is an 18-month, $26 million project to beautify landscapes and make streets more neighborhood, bicycle and pedestrian friendly. The project stretches from I-25 on the west to Washington Street on the east. Coal Avenue is closed to thru traffic because of construction. Twoway traffic is permitted on Lead Avenue from east of I-25 to Washington. Once construction of Coal Avenue is completed, which officials predict will be in summer 2011, crews will open the street to two-way traffic and close Lead Avenue to thru traffic. Officials predict Lead Avenue construction will be completed by Dylan Smith / Daily Lobo spring 2012. After construction, both Lead Caution tape marks off an exposed pipe at the corner of Bryn Mawr Drive and Coal Avenue. As part of the Lead and Coal Improvement Project, Yale Boulevard will be closed beginning Monday, Feb. 21 for an estimated 30-60 days for construction. The construction will reroute UNM’s south and Coal avenues will once again be one-way streets, according to city lot shuttle. officials.
Senator proposes 16-month window for Lottery by Shaun Griswold shaun24@unm.edu
The House Education Committee will debate today the feasibility of extending students’ time to apply for the Lottery Scholarship. Opponents of the bill, including ASUNM, said tinkering with the Lottery Scholarship fund is unwise because the fund is facing financial implications that could gut the program. Legislation says high school graduates must immediately enroll in college in order to qualify for the scholarship, but the bill, if passed, would allow students a 16-month period to enroll in college after graduating
high school. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Bill O’Neill (D-Albuquerque), said his North Valley constituents pressured him to introduce the language be-
“The important thing is that the Lottery Scholarship is financially sustainable.” ~Rep. Bill O’Neill cause it would give them more time to prepare for college. In its first analysis of the bill, the House Education Committee said giving students extra time to enroll “will allow those that need remedia-
tion time to gain the skills they need to succeed.” The Lottery Scholarship fund is already financially unhinged. Expenditures in 2009 exceeded total revenue by nearly $2 million, according to the Legislative Finance Committee. In its fiscal impact report, the LFC said with slower recipients’ growth and an expected 5 percent tuition increase at UNM and NMSU, the Lottery Scholarship fund could be tapped by 2015. No studies have determined how many students would benefit from the 16-month window or how the extended time would financially impact the Lottery Scholarship fund. The Legislative Finance Committee reported that the fund has raised more than $417 million and assisted more than 61,000 students with their tuition. During that time, enrollment
in the state’s four-year colleges increased by more than 9 percent. O’Neill said he is taking financial concerns seriously and will not support the measure if it will gut the scholarship. “The important thing is that the Lottery Scholarship program is financially sustainable,” O’Neill said. Five-foot buffer for road cyclists Motorists could soon be required to keep a five-foot distance away from cyclists, according to a bill passed by the New Mexico Senate on Friday. Senate Bill 124, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), would fine motorists $25 if they violated the comfort zone. The Senate approved the measure 20-17. “This bill is aimed to provide more safety for bicyclists sharing roadways with cars and trucks,” Wirth said.
Opponents said the distance requirement was not plausible for rural roads because they are often narrow. Others raised objections that it is an urban problem that should be regulated by cities, not the state. Cyclists in the UNM area praised the measure and said it was important for drivers to pay attention while on the road. “You are already taking a risk when riding your bike in the city,” cyclist Max Handon said. “My friend was hit, and the driver was sending a text. It’s cool to force the buffer, but a lot of drivers are still distracted with stupid things.” Albuquerque already has a similar law to protect bicyclists, but there is no clear fine for violators. No date has been set for when the House will vote on the measure.
Random acts of kindness help students connect by Kallie Red-Horse kallie69@unm.edu
Warm your heart by acting kindly this Valentine’s day. Today marks the first day of Random Acts of Kindness Week, and UNM is celebrating with donation drives for the Albuquerque Rescue Mission and Cuidando los Niños. An act of kindness is something as simple as walking a friend’s dog, Kimmerly Kloeppel, Interim Dean
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 115
issue 98
of Students said. She said kindness builds a sense of community for students in an age when cyber bullying and isolation are prominent. “It is really important for students to connect with each other,” Kloeppel said. “With the online social networking, students tend to get isolated. Getting out there is another way to connect and keep in touch with people.” The Albuquerque Rescue Mission is asking for toothpaste, shaving cream, men’s underwear, socks
COLLECTION LOCATIONS
Alumni Relations - 1117 Stanford Dr. N.E. Basic Medical Sciences Building on North Campus in the main lobby Health Sciences and Services Building on North Campus in the first floor lobby Student Union Building on the first and second floors
‘Best day of my life’
Melting the freeze of 3s
See page 2
See page 12
and tissue. Cuidando los Niños is asking for art supplies, diapers, diaper wipes, new children’s socks, underwear, clothes and shoes. Collection bins for the nonprofit organizations will be placed around campus all week. There are both physical and emotional health benefits to altruism, Kloeppel said. “Helpers’ high releases natural painkillers,” she said. “There is a physical change … you feel, kind of a rush. It helps with decreasing
depression and creating a greater self worth.” The emphasis is on this week, but Kloppel said students should embrace acts of kindness regularly. “It would be great if people made this a habit — something that they do all time,” she said. “It creates optimism around so much negativity. Optimism is helpful. It gives us a reason to feel why we are all here.” See examples of acts of kindness on page 5
TODAY
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