DAILY LOBO new mexico
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March 29, 2012
thursday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Police investigate death of UNM student by Luke Holmen
Elders told fraternity members he was suffering from back pain and had received a prescription for the pain, according to UNM student police reports. Elders told Gallegos he was and Sigma Chi having trouble sleeping, and Gallegos told fraternity member police he had seen Elders in the common Garrett Elders area late at night in recent days prior to was found dead Sunday. Police contacted Elders’ mother, in Sigma Chi Rhonda Hill and she said her son had been Fraternity house having depression issues for some time. Police are investigating the incident, Tuesday night. According to the and took Elders’ computer into custody. Executive Director of Emerging Lobo police report, a fraternity member Leaders Hannah Russell said Elders, who told police that was a member of the organization, had Elders had killed hoped to serve in student government and made valuable contributions. Garrett Elders himself. “Garrett was a great guy,” she said. “He According to police reports, fraternity members found was kind of soft spoken but he was also a Elders in his room hanging from a tie great leader at the same time. Garrett was wrapped around his neck. Fraternity mem- really special to everybody who was an bers had not seen Elders since a meeting Emerging Lobo Leader because, although he wasn’t very outspoken, he always made Sunday. Fraternity members told police they had a big impact.” Fellow fraternismelled a foul odor ty member Lucas in the building, but Peralta posted on had had sewer and Facebook praising plumbing probElders for the hard lems and believed work he did as part the smell was comof the fraternity. ing from the sew“Garret Elders, er system. But they you are one of the became concerned hardest working about Elders when ~Lucas Peralta and most deterhe wasn’t seen for fellow fraternity member mined people I have several days. ever met. You have According to not only served as a police report, Joshua Gallegos, a fraternity member, told inspiration for this chapter, you have empolice they knocked on Elders’ room, where bodied our Ritual in an unequaled manner. he lived alone, and hearing no answer, Rest in peace. Guard well. Godspeed.” President of Sigma Chi Bennett Myers opened the door to find him dead. The police report states UNM police of- told the Daily Lobo the fraternity and its ficers arrived on scene late Tuesday night. members will be praying for Elders and his Albuquerque Ambulance and the fire de- family. partment arrived on scene shortly after If you or someone you know is having and determined Elders had been deceased for some time and did not attempt to re- suicidal thoughts or demonstrating suicidal suscitate. The Office of the Medical Inves- behavior, call the Agora Crisis Center helptigator declared the death at 12:59 a.m. on line at 505-277-3013. A representative will assist you in finding help. Tuesday night. After returning from spring break,
holmen@unm.edu
“Garrett Elders, you are one of the hardest working and most determined people I have ever met.”
RENOWNED WRITER
Dylan Smith / Daily Lobo A memorial to Garrett Elders lies in front of the Sigma Chi fraternity house. Fraternity members say Elders took his own life several days ago. His body was discovered Tuesday night by fellow members of Sigma Chi.
NM activists weigh in on contraception debate by Avicra Luckey
avicraluckey@gmail.com
Jessikha Williams / Daily Lobo Renowned writer Angela Davis gives a keynote address at the third annual Presidential Luminaria Awards and Diversity Celebration Fundraising Dinner. The event was hosted by the UNM Division for Equity and Inclusion. The dinner was held to honor division’s work in the areas of inclusion and social justice.
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 116
issue 126
The Affordable Care Act, under review by the Supreme Court since Monday, would require religious institutions to provide health plans that cover contraceptives, and has sparked debate among the prominent Catholic community in New Mexico. Father Stephen Imbarrato, pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows and founder of Project Defending Life, said the Archdiocese of Santa Fe should not be forced to pay for coverage for contraceptives for employees at the 97 parishes and 19 catholic schools throughout the state, because contraceptive
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use violates the churches’ teachings. The original bill would have required employers to pay for the contraceptive coverage, but some religious leaders said this mandate went against their religion’s teachings and their constitutional right to practice their faith freely. The newest version of the bill would instead of require insurance companies to foot the bill. But Imbarrato said either way the law is an attempt to undermine the Catholic church’s authority. “Don’t forget the doctrines of the Catholic church are 2,000 years old. They
see Contraceptives PAGE 3
TODAY
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