Daily l obo
Proposed UNM School of Medicine building would fill gaps in state healthcare system
By Jaden McKelvey-Francis @jadenmckelvey
Cherry, silver and turquoise coated the Roundhouse in Santa Fe as students, staff and administrators of the University of New Mexico journeyed up to the State Capitol for “UNM Day” on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
“It’s just been an amazing day. I think no matter what happens, our students are having fun and they’re learning, and that’s very important to me, so that’s one of the reasons I love doing UNM Day,” the Executive Director of Associated Students at UNM Governmental Affairs, Alana Baca, said.
ASUNM held meetings with lawmakers throughout the day to lobby for their legislative priorities, encapsulated in HB 170; the UNM Basic Needs Project that requests $1.4 million from the state.
The money would be used to
By Jaden McKelvey-Francis @jadenmckelvey
The University of New Mexico hopes to continue its North Campus expansion with the construction of a new $600 million School of Medicine.
Senate Bill 6, which would provide the necessary funds to the University, was most recently given a “Do Pass” recommendation by the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee at the time of publication.
State Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics (D39), one of the sponsors of SB 6, said the new facility will help address many aspects of the state’s healthcare provider shortage.
“It is our hope that when we recruit people to UNM that they will want to stay in the state after, so all of these areas, all of these disciplines can be used everywhere in the whole state,”
Lobos-turned-lobbyists at ‘UNM Day’
provide menstrual products to students, support the Lobo Food Pantry, fund need-based scholarships, assist students with minor legal challenges and further fund the Lobo Lift Initiative.
ASUNM is also seeking $400,000 in Capitol Outlay funds to improve safety in T- and P-Lots.
Nearly 50 students traveled to Santa Fe for UNM Day to view the governing process.
“Whenever I have a student who’s not an ASUNM member come over, I get so excited. They usually seem very timid about it, because it is very intimidating — it’s a round structure, you don’t know where you’re going, very chaotic, there’s a lot of groups here all at once,” Baca said.
While being serenaded by the UNM Mariachi Ensemble and the UNM Choir, many UNM organizations tabled around the rotunda of the Capitol Building and
Stefanics said.
New Mexico is ranked 32nd in the nation in total physician supply, and over a million people in the state live in health professional shortage areas, according to the Cicero Institute.
“We’re trying to bring in a whole new crop of people and expand the number of people who can take classes with this huge new facility. Because the facility doesn’t just do the teaching in the classrooms, they also have all these different clinics,” Stefanics said.
The project is expected to be funded mostly by $546.6 million through state legislature appropriations, and the rest through philanthropic contributions.
During 2025, the State Legislature appropriated $30 million for the planning and design process of the School, which has already been
Bill aiming to eliminate green house gas emissions faces questions
By Addison Fulton @DailyLobo
One bill making its way through the 2026 legislative session is the Clear Horizons Act — SB 18 — that aims to codify restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions, require greenhouse gas emission reporting and expand the duties of the Environmental Improvement Board.
The bill creates limits on CO2 that can be met either by direct reductions or through carbon offsets that remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.
The bill’s goals for statewide gas emission limits include at least a 45% reduction by 2030, at least 75% reduction by 2040 and by 2050, 100% less than 2005 levels.
On Feb. 3, the bill passed the
Senate Conservation Committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation and some amendments.
The University of New Mexico Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight Director of Coordination
Hannah Loftus said that while the bill had some merits, there are further improvements that LEAF and other New Mexico environmental groups would like to see.
“If you want to do these things like carbon zero or net zero, you’re sort of proposing these false solutions that aren’t necessarily going to actually help,” Loftus said. “You have to have meaningful emissions reductions, not feel like greenwashing mechanisms and you can’t allow large corporations, especially oil and gas companies in New Mexico, to continue to pollute the air and the water. The bill focuses a lot on
offsets, which is a false solution to the climate crisis. It’s not something that’s actually going to make anything better or make anything accountable because offset is such a general term. It’s not really allowing anybody to be held accountable or actually do anything.”
Sen. Anthony Thornton (R19) voiced concerns about the bill’s effectiveness at combating climate change and the economic repercussions the bill could have for New Mexicans.
“The total carbon emissions of New Mexico, it’s less than 1% of the U.S. emissions. The U.S. total emissions is about 11% of the total global emissions. And so, even doing that quick math tells you that New Mexico, if we were to get rid of all carbon emissions tomorrow, would
see UNM Day page 2 see Clear Horizons page 2
Inside this Lobo
Albuquerque nominated for ‘Best City for Street Art’ competition: Fernandez (pg. 2)
UNMPD attempts to reign in vehicle theft: Bolke (pg. 3)
Alum-run local business brings viral treats to Albuquerque: Lovato (pg. 4)
Men’s Basketball: Lobos drop second straight in tight battle with Broncos: Joe (pg. 4)
Women’s Basketball: Broncos rattle Lobos in Boise: Prunty (pg. 4)
UNM Speaker advocates against superstitious killings in Africa: Fulton (pg. 5)
UNM Japanese bean scattering brings Spring and good fortune: Thant Hlaing (pg. 6)
The UNM Choir performs in the rotunda of the state capitol building during “UNM Day” on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis / Daily Lobo / @jadenmckelvey
An illustration of the proposed UNM School of Medicine, courtesy of UNM Health Sciences. Illustration Credit: McKaela Arviso.
Courtesy Photo / Daily Lobo see Med. page 5
Albuquerque nominated for ‘Best City for Street Art’
By Maria Fernandez @DailyLobo
In Albuquerque, street art covers public buildings, highway underpasses, restaurants, hotels and more, depicting New Mexico’s diverse cultures, political and social issues and history. With its diverse and stunning illustrations has come national recognition that could earn the city the title of being the nation’s very best for street art.
In late January, Albuquerque was nominated for USA Today’s “Best City for Street Art” competition, vying for the most votes against cities including Atlanta, Austin, Texas and Chicago.
The competition examines street art beyond its eye-catching features and colors, looking instead into the cultural significance that each city’s street art represents.
In 2024, the City of Albuquerque’s public art program and Bernalillo County conducted a public art census that found 11,225 pieces of public art in the city,
UNM Day from page 1
spoke to legislators and community members. Some of the groups tabling included the UNM School of Law, the Anderson School of Management, the UNM Office of Sustainability and the College of Pharmacy.
“There’s tons of political science majors and people interested in politics around. Even if they’re not going to go into politics in the future, they want an opportunity to talk to senators and kids about things that matter to them pertaining to UNM. I think being able to bring them up here is an amazing opportunity, and
Michael Ogilvie, public art urban enhancement division manager for the City of Albuquerque, wrote to the Daily Lobo.
Visual art has played a vital role in New Mexico’s environment and culture for centuries, visible through examples such as the 22,000 petroglyphs in Petroglyph National Monument, located west of Albuquerque, Ogilvie wrote.
“Because the history here is entrenched in creativity, you tend to get more art that echoes this history and expands upon it. Because of this tradition of visual history, and the immensity of it, innovation in creative output accelerates,” Ogilvie wrote.
Albuquerque’s local artwork demonstrates important cultural touchstones, such as the historic Route 66, the history of New Mexico’s Indigenous peoples, land and water rights and important figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dolores Huerta.
A few thematic approaches artists tend to gravitate towards are the literal translation or
I want to get it around to some more students at UNM,” Baca said.
The UNM College of Pharmacy’s table was one of the most popular and administered health screenings to passersby.
“We’re checking individuals’ blood glucose levels, their blood pressure, BMI screenings and we have pharmacists here with us who are assisting us in counseling individuals with their readings that we get,”
Danyale Avallone, a second-year pharmacy student at the table, said.
Some of the University’s legislative
Clear Horizons from page 1
have a 0.1% impact on climate,” Thornton said. “And that’s only if you make the assumption that there’s a one to one relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and climate, which there is not.”
According to a study commissioned by the New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico was responsible for 1.3% of total U.S. CO2 emissions in 2021, and a European Union database from 2023 lists total global contributions by the United States at 12%.
interpretation of history, such as the representational mural just completed at the Wheels Museum by artist Ryan Saveedra, or Mountain Top, the Martin Luther King Jr. tribute mural on Tijeras
priorities involving the Health Sciences Center include $16 million to expand the Office of the Medical Investigator, $4.25 million to expand statewide targeted substance-userelated activities already underway by creating a Virtual Addiction Treatment Clinic and nearly $11 million to expand the UNM HSC Cancer Center to accompany a request for $546.6 million to build a new School of Medicine.
“I think people are really enjoying it. I think checking your blood glucose and your blood pressure is something
Ave and 1st street by Noé Barnett, Ogilvie wrote. Voting is cast on the USA Today website and will close at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 16. The winning city will be announced on Feb. 25.
that you kind of forget about unless you have to go to the doctor or you’re sick. It’s really important to be current on that and be aware of where you stand if you need to maybe make some changes or talk to a pharmacist,” Avallome said.
Other UNM priorities include requesting $50 million for upgrades to University Stadium and nearly $3 million to go to the Quantum New Mexico Institute, a joint research entity between UNM and Sandia National Laboratories. In addition, approximately $2 million
is requested for the Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands Institute, which researches clean water, energy, ecosystems and community health in drylands in New Mexico and worldwide.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@ dailylobo.com or on X @ jadenmckelvey
“I think the real issue is that they’re looking at generating tax money, additional money, through carbon credits and saying, ‘well, if you pay us this much money, we’ll allow you to emit this carbon, and therefore, you’re gonna be good to go,’ and so it actually sets up a whole carbon credit system, and that’s really the issue,” Thornton said.
Thorton said he is concerned for the impact the legislation will have on rural New Mexicans’ day-to-day lives.
“We’re going to impose all kinds of regulations from a non-elected board that’s going to impact everybody’s lives,” Thornton said.
An assessment by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego attributes two-thirds of global warming caused by human activities to carbon dioxide emissions.
A newly added subsection of the bill specifies that emissions regulations would only apply to sources which individually have the potential to emit 10,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases annually in New Mexico, or include a group of two or more stationary sources that collectively have the potential to emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases annually.
Missi Currier, CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo that the bill’s potential economic detriments outweigh its environmental benefits.
“While addressing climate change
remains important, SB 18 fails to balance environmental goals with economic realities. The bill would raise the cost of living, threaten jobs and economic diversification, and strain household finances, creating long-term challenges for New Mexico’s working families and communities,” Currier wrote.
Currier expressed concerns regarding oil and gas job losses, particularly in rural areas such as Lea, Eddy and San Juan counties.
“SB 18 would have real and significant economic consequences for New Mexico families and communities.
As the state becomes less affordable, working families—especially those
already struggling—would feel the impact most directly,” Currier wrote. “Reduced oil and gas production would also cut state and local revenues that fund classrooms, roads, and behavioral health services, forcing tough choices or higher taxes on families and small businesses.”
Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo. com or on X @dailylobo
Artist Noé Barnett’s “Mountain Top” mural across the street from the Albuquerque Convention Center, on Sunday, Feb. 8.
Maria Fernandez / Daily Lobo / @DailyLobo
UNMPD attempts to reign in vehicle theft
By Elizabeth Bolke @DailyLobo
The University of New Mexico Police Department is working to reduce car, bicycle and scooter theft by patrolling the Central Campus more thoroughly, monitoring bike racks and promoting proper security practices.
While statistics around bike thefts on campus are not widely available, in 2024, UNM reported 81 instances of motor vehicle theft, a category that includes theft of electric scooters and electric bikes.
Recently, UNMPD has been distributing flyers around campus that detail which bike locks to use and how to use them, in addition to increasing patrols covering bike racks around campus.
“You can tell who’s a student
and who’s not just by their eagerness to go to every single bike rack rather than going to class,” UNMPD Officer Stephanie Dufault told the Daily Lobo. “We’re doing our due diligence and being proactive, getting out around the campus, and just making sure that there isn’t anything weird going on, people lingering around the bike racks.”
UNMPD Lieutenant Larry Bitsoih said through UNM’s camera system, UNMPD can monitor a vast majority of Main Campus.
“Our camera system is great; we have quite a few throughout the main campus. Those cameras help us provide evidence. In other words, if a crime occurs near a camera, officers or detectives can review the footage, and it may lead
to suspects,” Bitsoih.
Bitsoih said it’s important for a person to be able to identify their property and document what it looks like, such as by taking multiple pictures of the bike and registering the serial number with UNMPD.
“We sometimes recover bicycles, but we don’t know who they belong to if there’s no identification on those particular bikes,” Bitsoih said.
UNM also introduced a bike valet program last semester, where students, staff and faculty can leave their bikes and other micromobility vehicles at a staffed storage facility outside of the Student Union Building. The valet is operated by UNM Parking and Transportation Services, and is available on weekdays only, at
no charge.
UNMPD Sergeant Eric Peer said it’s important to understand that while personal tracking can sometimes assist with recovery after theft, they aren’t always the best option.
“(Bike owners) do use AirTags, but the devices are easily identifiable because if they try to conceal them in the frame, they don’t emit enough signal to track them,” Peer said. “They must be on top of the handlebars or somewhere visible, and we’ve had people with GPS devices who usually find them thrown in a bush or yard. We’ll track the device, and the people who steal the bikes will find them and get rid of them right away.”
Peer expressed the importance of having the correct bike lock for the type of bike, and using it correctly.
“That’s the biggest thing that we find: (bike theft victims are) not using the right lock. And when they do, they don’t secure it properly. As far as making sure the frame and all the tires are through that lock, that’s the biggest thing, is just making sure it’s secure,” Peer said.
Elizabeth Bolke is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@ dailylobo.com or on X @ dailylobo
HAPS
The Entertainment Guide
Quirky Used Books & More
Thursday
Birthright of Albuquerque
Providing love, support, and hope to woman both before and after childbirth. birthright.org/albuquerque New Volunteers Always Welcome 10AM-1PM; 3228 Candelaria Rd NE
Career Services
STEM Job & Internship Fair
February 12: 10am-2pm
Location: SUB Visit career.unm.edu for more info!
Quirky Used Books & More Books, Puzzles, Stickers, Mugs, Etc.
Tuesday
Birthright of Albuquerque
Providing love, support, and hope to woman both before an after childbirth. birthright.org/albuquerque
New Volunteers Always Welcome 10AM-1PM; 3228 Candelaria Rd NE
Career Services
STEM Job & Internship Fair
February 12: 10am-2pm
Birthright
birthright.org/albuquerque
New Volunteers Always Welcome 10AM-1PM; 3228 Candelaria Rd NE
Career Services
STEM Job & Internship Fair
February 12: 10am-2pm Location: SUB Visit career.unm.edu for more info!
Quirky
Mugs, Etc. 11 AM - 6 PM 120 Jefferson St NE Sunday
Quirky Used Books & More Books, Puzzles, Stickers, Mugs, Etc. 11 AM - 6 PM | 120 Jefferson St NE
Alum-run local business brings international viral treats to Albuquerque
By Lexis Lovato @lovatolexis
People who consider themselves chronically online and can’t get the newest trend out of their head — such as Labubus or fruit-shaped ice cream — may find fulfillment from the exotic snack shop, Monaco Market.
Monaco Market imports rare ingredients, drinks and prepackaged snacks that aren’t easy to find anywhere else.
The store is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. University of New Mexico students receive a 10% discount when they present their student ID.
At first glance, the market appears as just a smoke shop, but has many more products to offer.
The store has a self-serve noodle bar and popular products like
Women’s Basketball
foreign Red Bulls, South Korean juice pouches, Ramune soda, Dubai chocolate, Buldak Noodles and a popular new item: Fumang fruit-shaped ice creams.
Munji Kahalah, the creative director of Monaco Market and UNM business alum, said he looks for items that are limited edition, rare or collectible from around the world.
Kahalah said the market maintains a more diverse selection than just Asian exotics and has started importing from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, all depending on what their supplier can access.
“It’s really all about reaching out to new vendors and seeing what they have available,” Kahalah said.
“Companies like the conglomerates, such as Snickers, Twix, Skittles, what limited edition items are they dropping in other countries?”
Broncos rattle Lobos in Boise
By Rodney Prunty @rprunty05
The Lobos women’s basketball team took a trip up to Boise, Idaho, for a much anticipated matchup against the Boise State University Broncos. Coming into the game on Saturday, Feb. 7, both teams were riding high as they sparked up winning streaks with the Lobos’ four straight games and the Broncos’ eight. Adding to the game’s suspense, the last time these two teams met up, the University of New Mexico handled business at The Pit, defeating Boise State 70-63 in December 2025.
In a game that had the making of a heavy weight bout between two Mountain West foes, it resembled more of a one-sided affair as the Broncos knocked down the Lobos 63-35.
When the game started, it appeared it was going to be a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score early on shooting under 35% from the field in the first quarter. After a physical first quarter, the Lobos found themselves down 12-8.
Entering the second quarter, the Lobos continued their poor play offensively and, in turn, their defense started to crack. The Broncos began having their way offensively with the Lobos; with a gap starting to form between the two teams, the Lobos needed a spark, one that would never come. Boise State played very light defense on the perimeter, collapsing to the paint whenever a Lobo player would drive, forcing the Lobos to shoot from three.
The Lobos gave the Broncos no
reason to stop playing defense, missing every shot from deep going 0-6. The Broncos led 28-17 going into the half.
Coming out of halftime, the odds were already not in the Lobos’ favor — when trailing at halftime, UNM is 0-6 this season. The Broncos continued to bully the Lobos on both ends, snatching their souls. Offensively, the Broncos continued to dominate, shooting an effective 44% from the field and draining two three-pointers in the process.
UNM continued to dig their own grave, unable to buy a bucket, shooting a distasteful 10% throughout the quarter and still not draining a three. By the end of the third quarter, Boise State had functionally already won the game, leading the Lobos by 25 points.
The fourth quarter was just window dressing for the Broncos as they piled on points.
The Lobos left the game the same way they came into it: flat.
The team came out with no energy, even when they played very solid defensively in the first quarter. To add insult to injury, no one on the Lobos roster scored double figures.
The Lobos now fall to 16-8 on the season and 8-5 in conference play.
While the game was not the greatest showing for the Lobos by any stretch of the imagination, they have an opportunity to get back in sync on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they face off against the San Jose State University Spartans back home at The Pit.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo. com or on X @rprunty05
Kahalah said that new items are restocked every 10-12 days, so customers shouldn’t wait to grab whatever interests them as items they see during one visit may not be there the next time.
Kahalah said the store tries to keep their more popular items in stock year-round, like the Dubai chocolate, Korean juice pouches, the fruit-shaped ice cream and mousse desserts.
The market tries to get items that are suggested by their customers, and source products by watching what people on social media sites,
like TikTok and Instagram, are talking about.
“We were the first ones to bring (fruit shaped ice cream) in, so we tried to bring the big city viral snacks before anyone else in Albuquerque, and that’s how we bring that kind of big city vibe to such a small city,” Kahalah said.
Kahalah said if he could offer advice to himself as a student, it would be a reminder of the difference between overnight success and consistency.
“I think that’s what we’re all looking for, is a home run,
as opposed to the small wins that add up,” Kahalah said. “Be consistent, things don’t always work out initially, but pivoting is very important. So having an open mind and being able to be elastic with the brain, train it and just be able to know when to shift gears and when to change mindset, I think is very important.”
Lexis Lovato is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @lovatolexis
Lobos drop second straight in tight battle with Broncos
By Alex Joe @DailyLobo
The Lobos men’s basketball team aimed to get back on track after a blowout loss to Utah State University as they hosted the Boise State University Broncos in The Pit.
But in the end, their defense was not up to task again as the University of New Mexico lost 9190 at home for their second straight defeat on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Lobos Head Coach Eric Olen was disappointed in the loss but proud of his team’s effort, he said.
“Any time we lose, it’s disappointing, specifically losing at home is disappointing. The crowd was amazing again, so it sort of adds to the disappointment when they bring it and we can’t come up with the result,” Olen said.
The battle started early with UNM taking a one-point lead, 1312, following a three-point jumper by guard Uriah Tenette. Shortly after, the Lobos started to simmer as they went on a 9-0 run to build
their lead to seven.
Lobo guard Luke Haupt demonstrated that sometimes a magical play is created out of desperation. He heaved an offbalanced, three-point jumper, just beating the shot clock to give the Lobos a 33-26 lead toward the end of the first half.
Haupt had himself a monster game with a career high 30 points, six rebounds and four assists.
“I had a good offensive game, doesn’t feel like it matters a whole lot right now, coming up short,” Haupt said.
Boise State went on a 17-9 run to close out the half and erase the Lobos’ seven-point lead before the scoring streak; the Lobos trailed 4342 at the break.
Lobo guard Deyton Albury woke up to join the party in the second half, scoring four straight points to tie the game up at 46 a-piece within the first two minutes. The Broncos started to give UNM trouble, going on a 17-8 run as the game turned to catch-up in the second half for
UNM. Fortunately for the Lobos, a three-point jumper by Lobo guard Jake Hall tied it up 80-80 with approximately two minutes to go, injecting life into The Pit.
Efficient free throw shooting from Boise iced the game, despite multiple crunch-time threes from the Lobos. The Broncos only missed a single shot from the line, going 26 of 27 on the night.
The Lobos, now on a two-game losing skid, look for answers to get back on track as they head on the road to Phoenix to play the Grand Canyon University Lopes on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
“I expect us to respond appropriately,” Olen said. “Prepare the way we’ve been preparing with focus and have two good days of practice and go and play good basketball.”
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@ dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
UNM’s Jake Hall goes for the two-pointer against Boise State’s Pearson Carmichael during the UNM versus Boise State game at The Pit on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Maria Fernandez / Daily Lobo / @DailyLobo
Men’s Basketball
UNM Speaker advocates against superstitious killings in Africa
By Addison Fulton @DailyLobo
Even today, killings based on superstition persist in several sub-Saharan African nations.
To bring attention and advocate for a stop to the killings, the founder of Advocacy for Accused Witches, Leo Igwe, spoke to an audience at the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Building on the history, causes and impacts of witch hunts in Africa. AFAW has responded to over 300 cases of witch hunts and ritual attacks in the past few years, Igwe said.
Igwe said he was inspired to intervene in witch hunts after finishing his PhD in African studies in Germany and being told that he must study with distance and detachment.
“When I came out, I was told, ‘you have to go and lecture, write academic papers, become a professor.’ Really? Professor of what? Recounting these cases? I said, ‘no. I will do both,’” Igwe said. “They said, ‘no, you can’t do both. Because when you do both, (you) become attached.’ I said, ‘what
Med. from page 1
completed, according to the UNM Health Sciences Center.
UNM plans to double the size of the School of Medicine classes in the next decade, according to UNM HS. The recent opening of the UNM Hospital Critical Care Tower also provided more space for clinical training of students, residents and fellows.
Executive Vice President of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of UNM Health, Michael Richards, said UNM HSC is excited to be on a “pathway of growing access to care.”
does that mean?’ I’m still trying to understand that. People are dying in our communities, you don’t want to attach, you just analyze it and get promoted? Write journal articles? Up ‘til now, it has not made sense to me.”
Igwe shared the story of a family he recently helped escape persecution as a result of witchcraft allegations. After watching their son collapse at a soccer game, a blind man and his wife sought out faith healers. What occurred was likely an epileptic seizure, Igwe said, but the family locked access to knowledge or treatment of epilepsy and so sought out a faith healer, who gave them carved wooden deities, saying that would heal the boy.
A relative of the man and his wife, who currently lives in the U.S., visited the village, saw the faith-healing paraphernalia and accused the family of witchcraft, calling the Nigerian police who then arrested and beat the family, throwing the wife into the trunk of a car. She was only released after the intervention of AFAW.
Igwe said poverty and poor access to healthcare drive
“The needs of a medical school in the late 1960s are very different than the needs of a medical school today, from the way that we deliver the education in a much more interprofessional and interactive way to the kind of science and lab support that a current medical school needs,” Richards said.
The current School of Medicine is located in Reginald Heber Fitz Hall, which opened in 1967. The proposed site for the new school is at the northeast corner of Lomas and University Boulevards and would
Nigerians to seek out faith healers for conditions such as dementia and epilepsy. Christian Nigerians, who often have more wealth and power than non-Christians, sometimes see traditional medicine as a form of witchcraft and will weaponize the police and extrajudicial violence against the accused.
Both untreated conditions and faith-based healing practices make sick individuals vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft punishable by expulsion from villages, beatings and being burned alive.
Igwe said colonialism largely influenced and stoked patterns of religious fervor throughout Africa.
“Americans, they come, they bring archangel Gabriel. Then (people) come from Saudi Arabia, they’re also bringing archangel Gabriel. Which archangel Gabriel do I go to? People are confused,” Igwe said. “But they don’t just bring angel Gabriel; they also bring money. And in an impoverished country, people are going to accept angel Gabriel even if they don’t believe it.”
The police in Nigeria also serve
cover 330,000 square feet.
“Healthcare professionals require clinical experience to be able to complete their training, and over the last decade or so, we’ve saturated our clinical delivery system with learners. That has been one of our ratelimiting steps in terms of being able to grow the programs. So now that we’re growing the clinical delivery system, and we’re going to be seeing more patients, we now have the opportunity to then say, ‘now we can start to grow the education programs,’” Richards said.
to exacerbate the problem, Igwe said. Police must be paid to begin and continue investigations, with investigations deeper into one case costing over 700,000 Naira, or approximately 500 USD.
The continuation of witch hunts is also caused in part by a failure of Americans and Western academics, Igwe said.
“Anything about Africa is looking back and always valorizing magic and magical thinking,” Igwe said. “This is how your universities are indirectly legitimizing. So I ask them, ‘why can’t we talk about Africa looking forward? Why can’t you talk about creativity looking forward? They’re talking about going to Mars, they’re talking about solar energy, harnessing those energies and all that?’ Now, if you want to come to Africa you say, ‘How are Africans harnessing nature?’ My grandfather — harnessing the nature is what you want me to study today? Something is wrong with you. Something is wrong with all these faculties. Shut them down.”
Saying that witch hunts are a part of Nigerian culture is the same as saying mass-shootings
The new School of Medicine is expected to finish construction in the spring of 2030 and begin hosting classes in the fall of that year, according to UNM HSC. The project would be one of the largest public construction projects in New Mexico’s history and yield an estimated $1.5 billion in economic impact.
“I’m most excited about the idea that we’re going to be able to train more health care professionals, and so giving that opportunity for New Mexican students to pursue a health professional career. But it’s also really
or suicide are part of American culture, Igwe said.
The talk was hosted by a local skeptic group, New Mexicans for Science and Reason. Benjamin Radford, a member of NMSR and a friend of Igwe, said he’s directing a documentary on Advocacy for Alleged Witches. Radford said NMSR’s main focus is on encouraging critical thought regarding supernatural belief, making Igwe’s presentation an excellent fit for their lecture series.
“The main focus is on encouraging critical thinking. So, whether it’s Bigfoot, astrology, alternative medicine,” Radford said. “But there are real consequences to those beliefs. It’s basically trying to encourage people to say, ‘Hey, look, some of these beliefs may seem silly, like, if you believe in Bigfoot, whatever, I don’t care. But there are very real consequences to beliefs, right? And this lecture is a perfect example of that.”
Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo. com or on X @dailylobo
exciting to be part of the team that helps build a facility that will likely be here for the next seven or 10 generations,” Richards said.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@ dailylobo.com or on X @ jadenmckelvey
UNM Japanese bean scattering brings Spring and good fortune
By Shin Thant Hlaing @DailyLobo
In an event bringing both spring and good luck for the upcoming year, Japanese traditions were brought to the University of New Mexico through a bean scattering event open to all.
The Monday, Feb. 2, event featured a presentation, followed by an origami box making workshop, tossing soybeans at participant volunteers donning ‘oni,’ or demon masks, and eating roasted soybeans corresponding to their age.
The UNM Language Learning Center event featured a presentation by Mami McCrew, UNM Department of Language, Cultures, and Literatures Professor, on the Setsubun festival itself. Setsubun, meaning “seasonal division,” is usually celebrated on the last day of winter or before the start of spring, according to Uwajimaya.
The presentation also featured localized traditions such as “Hiiragi iwashi,” which involves impaling grilled sardine heads with holly branches to ward off the oni. The oni are said to find the smell repulsive, according to Nagase Foods.
Another Setsubun tradition that took place at the event was eating Ehomaki, an uncut sushi roll that must be eaten facing in the “lucky” direction as defined by the Japanese Lunar calendar. For 2026, this would be the south or south-east.
The Ehomaki also must be eaten in silence while thinking of a wish, finished in one go and to cut off the ends is to cut off your fortune.
After the presentation, participants made origami boxes that housed the soybeans prior to scattering.
Event participants filed out of the halls and went out to the duck pond to scatter the beans, donning demon masks. Some masks featured characters from the anime “Kimetsu no Yaiba,” or Demon Slayer. When scattering the beans, participants shouted “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi,” meaning “Out with the demons, in with Good Fortune.” In Japan, it is common for the beans to be scattered outside of homes, schools and restaurants and for teachers or family members to dress up as oni, while children scatter beans in their direction, McCraw said.
Participants also had an opportunity to snack on roasted soybeans from Japan. According to the tradition, participants should eat one soybean for every year of their age, and an additional one, to protect you for the year ahead.
The Language Learning Center has a focus on East Asian languages in January and February, McCraw said.
“It allows students to learn about languages and culture,” McCraw said. “It allows students who have no knowledge about Setsubun to learn about this event, and it is fun to do too.”
Participation, both from
Japanese language majors and some members of the public, were open and enthusiastic. The “demons” then switched places with other participants in the crowd, and the “new demons” were chased away in similar fashion.
With the end of the event, Setsubun concluded, spring began, and a year of prosperity hopefully now follows. Consider the evil spirits expelled, and good fortune welcomed in.
Shin Thant Hlaing is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @ dailylobo
DAILY LOBO C ampus Calendar of Events Calendar
games, kindness goodies, and more.
Winter Olympics Watch Party SUB Atrium 8:00am – 5:00pm
Manuscripts and Degree Deadlines Graduate Commons, Zimmerman
Library Basement
10:30 – 11:30am Learn about the UNM-specific requirements for formatting and submitting your thesis or dissertation on time.
WEDNESDAY
Campus Events
Blind Date with a Book
Zimmerman Library Service Desk
7:30am – 12:00am
Research Safety Week Event
HSC Library Outdoor Space 10:00am – 2:00pm
Hear from inspiring keynote speakers, dive into engaging panel discussions, explore hands-on demonstrations, and connect with researchers across a wide range of fields. Plus, enjoy a free luncheon, cash prizes, and special gifts for the first 100 attendees.
Valentine’s Day Bake Sale
10:30am – 3:00pm
Honors College Forum
Join Scribendi for a Valentine’s bake sale and romantic blind date with a book.
BeKind Kindness Carnival
Crafternoon Women’s Resource Center 12:00 – 2:30pm Hang out, relax, meet new people, and learn a new craft.
Louie’s Lounge Social SUB, Louie’s Lounge 4:00 – 6:00pm Enjoy some games, crafts, and pizza with other international students
Theater & Film
Midweek Movies: Housemaid
SUB Theater 6:00 – 8:00pm Hoping for a fresh start, a
Bosque
SUB Atrium 11:00am – 1:00pm
Featuring a photobooth, music,
To submit a calendar listing, email calendar@dailylobo.com
UNM Department of Language, Cultures, and Literatures hosts Setsubun and mamemaki (bean scattering), at the UNM Duck Pond. Photo courtesy of Mami McCraw.
Courtesy Photo / Daily Lobo
A Setsaban and mamemaki participant dons a demon mask at the UNM Duck Pond. Photo courtesy of Mami McCraw.
Courtesy Photo / Daily Lobo
DAILY LOBO C ampus Calendar of Events of
THURSDAY
railways to voyages by land and sea, join us to explore rare archival photographs, maps, brochures, and correspondence capturing the love of a journey. Enjoy crafts, card making, and refreshments.
Tea Time with Andy AISS 1119 Mesta Vista Hall
12:00 – 1:30pm Take a break, grab a snack, & come hang with the AISS Director. Ready to Blossom? Honors College Forum
1:30 – 4:30pm
Students will be able to connect and write their appreciation by writing valentine’s day notes on paper flowers or cards showing appreciation to teachers, other students, faculty, or anyone else important in their life.
Afro Black History Month Event
SUB Lobo A&B
2:00 – 3:00pm I is for Innovate. Student panel focused on hair, identity, access, and well-being. Following the panel, transition to the Fro (close to 3:30 pm) to unveil the Hair Shop grand opening and enjoy light refreshments.
Lectures & Readings
CART Astrophysics Seminar PAIS Room 3205
2:00 – 3:00pm Kara Brugman, UNM, presents “Using Experimental Petrology to Find Geochemically Habitable Exoplanets.”
Musicology Colloquium
Latin American and Iberian Institute, Conference Room
2:00 – 3:00pm
Dr. Carmella Scorcia Pacheco, UNM, presents “Reimagining Nuevomexicana Histories Through Balladry & Sound.”
Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Seminar
Clark Hall, Room 101
4:00 – 5:00pm
Changan Li, Columbia,presents “Harnessing Light and Molecular Assembly: From Organic Crystals to DNA Nanomaterials.”
Thirsty for Thought (T4T): neuroscience High and Dry Brewing; 529 Adams NE
6:30 – 8:30pm
UNM ARID sponsors general talks geared towards a lay audience
with time for Q&A with the experts, fun games (trivia, bingo), and general networking.
Theater & Film
The Linnell Festival of New Plays Staged Reading Experimental Theatre
6:00 – 8:00pm Assless Chaps is a story of greed, queer community, and forgiveness.
A Conversation with Trisha Paytas Popejoy Hall
7:30 – 9:30pm
Trisha Paytas is an American internet personality, podcaster, and content creator known for her long-running presence on YouTube and social media. Tickets start at $25.
Sports & Recreation
Winter Olympics Watch Party SUB Atrium 8:00am – 5:00pm
Intramural Sports Open House
Johnson Center
8:00 – 10:00pm
Come learn about the Intramural Leagues that you and your friends can play in. This semester offers volleyball, kickball, basketball, and dodgeball leagues.
Meetings
Grand Challenges Request for Proposals Information Session PAIS Room 1010 12:30 – 1:30pm
Information session about the release of the Level 2 program request for proposals.
Disabled Student Union Meeting Women’s Resource Center Group Room 12:30 – 2:00pm
Chinese Language & Culture Club LLC, Ortega, Room 120 3:00 – 5:00pm
Family & Friends Cancer Support Group
CCC Education Wing 4:00 – 5:30pm A journaling support group for anyone who has a loved one with cancer, a loved one who has survived cancer, and/or a loved one who has died from cancer.
FRIDAY
Campus Events
Blind Date with a Book Zimmerman Library
Lectures & Readings
Avery Silfer/ Daily Lobo / @DailyLobo
DAILY LOBO CLASSIFIEDS
Announcements
CLEARHEADEDNESS. COMPETIT IVENESS. CRYPTOCURRENCIES. HTTP://UNM.NU Lost & Found
LOST AND FOUND ADS ARE ALWAYS FREE! Ads must be 25 words or less. To get your free ad, email classifieds@dailylobo.com from your UNM email.
Services
MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS TUTOR. Billy Brown PhD. College and HS. Telephone and internet tutoring available. 505-401-8139, welbert53@aol.com
FREE TAI CHI classes in University area with certified Master Dug Corpolongo. Thursday 6:00 to 7:00 pm Loma Linda Community Center 1700 Yale SE. 505306-0118
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To place your free ad, come by Marron Hall, Room 107 and show your student ID or email us from your UNM email account at classifieds@dailylobo.com
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Campus Calendar continued from page 7
Winter Olympics Watch Party
Atrium 12:00 – 5:00pm UNM Baseball vs Fordham Lobo Baseball Field 2:00 – 4:00pm Tickets are free for students but
be acquired online.
UNM Women’s Basketball vs Colorado State
Pit
– 3:00pm
are free for students but must be acquired online.
The Wandering Earth Language Learning Center Film Room 10:00am – 12:00pm
When the sun dies out, the people of Earth build giant thrusters to move the planet out of orbit and sail to a new star system. After 2,500 years, young people continue the fight for everyone’s survival.
The Wandering Earth 2 Language Learning Center Film Room 1:00 – 4:00pm
When humans built huge engines on the surface of the earth to find a new home, they discovered that the road to the universe is perilous. In order to save earth, young people once again have to step forward to start a race against time.
The Linnell Festival of New Plays
Staged Readings
Experimental Theatre
4:00 – 6:00pm
Daffodil is a story about the transformative power of seeing the world in new ways and being just the right kind of selfish.
SWFC: But I’m A Cheerleader
SUB Theater
6:00 – 7:00pm
UNM Track and Field hosts the Don Kirby Elite Invitational. Tickets are free for students but must be acquired online.
Megan considers herself a typical American girl. She excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she isn’t that crazy about him. So she’s stunned when her parents decide
she’s gay and send her to True Directions, a boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation. While there, Megan meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham. Though Megan still feels confused, she starts to have feelings for Graham. Free concessions.
The Linnell Festival of New Plays Experimental Theatre
7:00 – 9:00pm Assless Chaps is a story of greed, queer community, and forgiveness. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Popejoy Hall
7:30 – 10:00pm
Affectionately known as the Trocks, the all-male comic ballet company has been dancing en travesti for over 50 years, with razor-sharp wit and breathtaking pointe work, performing polished parodies of works that span the classical ballet canon. Tickets start at $29.50.
SUNDAY
Art & Music
Glenn Miller Orchestra Popejoy Hall
3:00 – 5:00pm
In the early 1940s, the ensemble produced some of the most popular songs of their day, creating a soundtrack for the Greatest Generation with its unique sound. The celebrated big band returns this season to perform their biggest hits including “A String of Pearls,” “In the Mood,” and “Moonlight Serenade.” Tickets start at $29.50.
Sports & Recreation
UNM Baseball vs Fordham Lobo Baseball Field
12:00 – 2:00pm Tickets are free for students but must be acquired online.
Winter Olympics Watch Party
SUB Atrium 12:00 – 5:00pm
CURRENT EXHIBITS
Art Practices Showcase
John Sommers Gallery Through February 20, 2026
Entangled Cultures: How Humans and Microbes Co-create through Fermentation
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology Through March 14, 2026
Entangled Cultures presents diverse global examples of traditional vessels used in the creation and consumption of fermented foods and beverages.
Jaune Quick-to-see Smith: All My Relations Tamarind Institute Through April 10, 2026
In honor of the late American artist, an experienced and prolific printmaker, featuring 20 lithographs made in residence at Tamarind from 1980 to 2022, alongside works by artists whose paths and practices were influenced by the artist, including Jeffrey Gibson, Rose B. Simpson, Duane Slick, Marie Watt and Emmi Whitehorse.
One Earth, One Kin Spectra Art Gallery, Honors College Through Spring 2026
The exhibit showcases connection and kinship with the earth through the eyes of student artists. Pieces by Arwen Lynch-Poe, Caitlyn Bizzell, Leo Brocker, Loui Burton, Maria Paez, Noheya Behay, and Phaera Fields.
Ancestors Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
Permanent Exhibit
Ancestors will lead you through those aspects of modern humanity that makes us unique and successful, tracing the path of evolution through the past four million years.
People of the Southwest
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
Permanent Exhibit
This exhibition celebrates the cultural history of the Southwest,
especially the close relationship southwestern people have had with the land around them.
How do you know what’s happening on campus? This is it!
About the Daily Lobo Campus Calendar of Events
The Daily Lobo Calendar coordinator combs through 85 UNM calendars to find events for you!
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