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April 26, 2013
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
ASUNM supports ‘universal’ restrooms in SUB by Jamillah Wilcox
Despite approving proposal for third time in three years, no action yet taken
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ASUNM wants to aid in the development of universal public restrooms for students, faculty and staff on campus. In a meeting Wednesday, the senate unanimously passed Resolution 12S, in which ASUNM pledges its support for the development of universal restrooms on campus. Sen. Miquela Ortiz and Queer Voices Roundtable introduced the proposal. This resolution is the third such effort, following resolutions passed in 2010 and 2012 supporting the development of universal bathrooms in the SUB. No action was taken on either resolution. Frankie Flores, program assistant for the LGBTQ Resource Center, and Ortiz negotiated with the senate with regard to the language used in the proposal. The senators wanted to change ‘gender-neutral restrooms’ to ‘universal restrooms’ to avoid using exclusive language that might imply the bathroom switch was only to benefit transgendered individuals to the exclusion of other groups such as people with disabilities and families. “In saying ‘universal bathrooms,’ we’re trying to universalize that access,” Sen. Earl Shank said. “That way it’s not saying these bathrooms are for the specific group of people, it’s for everyone. If we were dealing with equality, we wouldn’t say ‘let’s make it better for them,’ we would say ‘let’s make it better for everyone.’” Ortiz said she objected, at first, to the word “universal” being used because she wanted to consult with the student organization she was representing. “The only reason why we weren’t going to accept it was because we hadn’t seen the changes prior … I was speaking on behalf of a student group, so I wanted
Aaron Sweet / Daily Lobo ASUNM Sen. Cassie Thompson, center, speaks at the full senate meeting Wednesday evening. One topic of the evening was Resolution 12S, which called upon ASUNM to support the development of ‘universal’ bathrooms around campus, which would be available to everyone, including transgendered individuals, persons with disabilities and families. to check with them,” Ortiz said. “I would say that ‘universal’ is more simplified, which is a wiser decision.” Flores agreed to accept the term “universal,” but maintained that “gender-neutral” is more appropriate. “My concern with the changing of the language was that we weren’t inclusive of gender-neutral individuals, so I wanted to make sure that we kept that in there,” Flores said. “I’m happy with the decision.”
The proposal says such universal bathrooms should be accessible to everyone. However, Rentz Ankrom, a senior business administration major and a transgendered student, said some campus restrooms already provide similar services. “Early on in my transition, I would use the bathrooms in Mitchell Hall,” Ankrom said. “I’m almost fully transitioned, but there are some people who don’t want to go that far. There’s a spectrum of gender that I think
people don’t realize, and creating a universally safe space where everyone can take advantage of that is what’s important.” Ankrom said she understands Flores’ position on wanting to keep the word “neutral” in the proposal, but it’s important to focus on more immediate matters first. “I don’t know if removing ‘gender’ needs to be the focus; it’s about actually creating a safe space for the individual that’s going into the bathroom,” Ankrom said. “I
know from personal experience, it used to be very intimidating.” Ankrom said she has been at the University since 2010 and has not experienced discrimination on campus, due to the University’s efforts in promoting equality. “I am definitely thankful that UNM is staying ahead of the curve of the college current issues and not just focusing on maintaining their academic status,” Ankrom said. “Socio-cultural things like this are very important to people.”
5k run to aid victims of Boston bombings by Ardee Napolitano news@dailylobo.com
Martha Chicoski, a Boston native who lives in Albuquerque, said it has been a tradition for her family to watch runners cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon since she was little. But two weeks ago, this tradition almost cost her father his life. “We grew up cheering people every year,” she said. “He was watching. My father was 30 feet from where the first explosion happened.” On April 15, two bombs exploded near the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon at about 2:50 p.m. EST. Three people died in the blast, and another 264 were wounded. Police subsequently identified two suspects: The first, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed in a police shootout early April 18, and his brother, the second suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is in police custody after a day-long manhunt April 19. Chicoski’s father was not injured, but she said the tragedy that occurred at the
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annual event was horrible. “Boston is an amazing city and an amazing community,” she said. “I have relatives that live in towns that were put on lockdown. It’s crazy, but it’s now the reality that we live in.” Chicoski is a volunteer for the upcoming ‘ABQ 5k 4 Boston’ run on Sunday afternoon. The event aims to raise $47,000, representing New Mexico’s being the 47th state incorporated into the U.S., for Boston’s First Responders Fund, and starts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Chicoski said participating in the event is a way to show support for the victims from afar. “I grew up in Boston and I have a connection to that city,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful way to get involved (over) such a great distance, over 2,000 miles away.” Brian Colón, a UNM alumnus, began organizing the event a few days after the incident. He said he related to the stories of the victims — especially to 8-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed by the explosions — and he felt the need to help.
“My son Rafael, who is 15 years old, and I try to do a 5k every month,” he said. “He’s fit and he always ends up waiting for me at the finish line. When I heard the story of Martin Richard, who died waiting for his dad at the finish line, I lost my breath.” Colón said that his event attracted local attention after he publicized it through Facebook. “I’m fortunate to have 5,000 friends on Facebook,” he said. “Some people just said, ‘Tell me what you’re doing and I’ll do it.’ Some people just stepped up.” Colón said to reach his $47,000 goal, about 1,000 people need to register for the event. He said that “several hundred” people have already registered. But Colón said he expects to meet his goal through the support of the University community. He said he encourages students to participate in the event. “As a graduate of UNM, I’ve always taken pride that the University, when
somebody is in need, it always responds with support,” he said. “I suspect they’re going to do the same on Sunday.” Chicoski said she is optimistic the event will be successful. She said the event will help show the country’s unity after the tragedy. “Just because we can’t be in the city doesn’t mean that we can’t help them,” she said. “This bond of support is so American.”
ABQ 5k 4 Boston National Hispanic Cultural Center Sunday Assembly starts at noon, race starts at 1 p.m. $25 per person Register at ABQ4Boston.com
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