Daily Lobo 8/29/19

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Daily Lobo new mexico

The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895

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Thursday, August 29, 2019 | Vo l u m e 1 2 4 | I s s u e 5

Cory Booker talks to Burqueños at Marble By Amanda Britt @AmandaBritt_

Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker covered a variety of topics concerning New Mexicans at a campaign fundraiser. The event was held at Marble Brewery in Downtown Albuquerque on Monday evening. According to Damian Lara, 16A ward chair for the Democratic Party of New Mexico, general admission tickets to attend the event started at $15 but were sold out within days of Booker announcing he was coming to Albuquerque. This limited the number of college students and millennials that were able to join the event. Lara said college students may not have been able to come because of the time of day and the cost to get into the fundraiser, which ranged from $15 to $500 that evening. “The economic cost for millennials and college students really prohibits their interaction and activity in the political system,” Lara said.

Lara said college students are participating in other ways, including using social media and going to free political events. “Even though you don’t see them in as many events, they are voting in record numbers and participating in the political system in non-traditional ways,” he said. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller welcomed Booker to the stage that evening. Keller mentioned that Booker is the first Democratic nominee to visit New Mexico for the 2020 election. When asked how young people and college students can be encouraged to show up to events like the one that evening, Keller said he encourages student groups, including the University, to contact the candidates. “I think next year as we get closer, the challenge is usually not anyone in New Mexico, it’s that our state often gets skipped, “ Keller said. “So that’s why we’re glad when candidates choose to even come to this state, but invitations matter, so reach out and ask and we’ll join you.” During the beginning of his speech, Booker described himself as a “policy walk nerd” and

said he loved how the national conversation has been shaken up when it comes to essential topics including housing policy, gun legislation and making Medicaid more accessible to the elderly. Booker said he thinks the election is not likely to turn on policy differences between candidates, or who has the best 10-point-policy plan. He said this election is not only about what comes from the head, but also the heart and soul of the nation. “I call in this election, time and time again, for the revival of civic grace, for a more courageous empathy for one another and to remember that in this nation. Patriotism means love of country, but you cannot love your country unless you love your fellow countrymen and women,” Booker said. Booker also spoke to issues that are undermining the United States’ democracy. He said he is asking more from democratic citizens than any president has asked before. “If you want to create a climate where we can make a big change in America, it’s not going to be by getting one person elected,

Sharon Chischilly / @Schischillyy / Daily Lobo

Democratic presidential candidate, Cory Booker, speaks to supporters during a campaign fundraiser at Marble Brewery in Downtown Albuquerque on Monday evening

because Democracy is a team sport,” he said. Two words that Booker’s mentor, Virginia Jones, told him after her son was murdered ended his speech that evening. Jones ran the Brick Towers tenants’ association when Booker lived in Newark. Those two words: “stay faithful”. “If we stay faithful, if we will achieve a nation that really is a

nation of liberty and justice for all — if we stay faithful — we will restore the hope of Americans who are losing it. If we stay faithful, no matter how much one guy tries to tear us down, we, America, will rise,” Booker said. Amanda Britt is the photo editor at the Daily Lobo and can be contacted on twitter @AmandaBritt_ or at photoeditor@dailylobo.com

ASUNM Senate Failing chemistry approves seven pipes affect research appointments By Alyssa Martinez @amart4447

Justin Garcia / @Just516garc / Daily Lobo

UNM Athletics Director Eddie Nuñez addresses the ASUNM Senate on Aug. 28. Senators had the opportunity to ask Nuñez question about his department.

By Alyssa Martinez @amart4447 The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s full senate meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28 ushered in seven new ASUNM appointees selected by ASUNM President Adam Biederwolf. Among the night’s events, the president pro-tempore was elected, UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez discussed systemic reforms to athletics, Biederwolf provided updates on the solar panel installation on the Student Union Building (SUB) and an Open Meetings Act

resolution was adopted to be compliant with New Mexico state law. Kaylee Maxon was confirmed as executive director of Lobo Spirit. Maxon served as Biederwolf’s assistant when he held the executive director position last year. According to Biederwolf, the executive director of Lobo Spirit cultivates a sense of campus morale by programming University wide events, such as Red Rally. Jacob Silva was confirmed as chief of staff. Biederwolf said that Silva will use his previous experience as president pro-tempore to

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University of New Mexico chemistry building Clark Hall has been experiencing plumbing and drainage issues for years which prevent the department from using some laboratories and is slowing down research said Karen Ann Smith, the director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facilities and adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. “Many of the pipes in the Reibsomer wing of Clark Hall are deteriorating and forming cracks due to construction from a plastic that breaks down when

Emille Domschot / @

Bathrooms in the basement of Clark Hall which have been stripped of sinks and toilets.

in contact with many common waste products,” Smith said. The deterioration is exacerbated by CPVC drain pipes. According to Plastic Pipe Experts, CPVC “is not resistant to most water-insoluble hydrocarbon-based chemicals.” Their website also said that waste products like hand lotion can cause CPVC failure. While it is commonly used in plumbing systems, the failure of CPVC due to exposure to common chemicals is a documented drawback of its use. According to Smith, the plumbing problem is creating issues for the research ongoing in the affected rooms. “Several labs in Clark cannot be used because the drain pipes are broken. Several labs are in use with temporary patches,” she said. After damage began in 2016, “Facilities and other parts of the University were notified in 2017,” Smith said, ”Some of the most damaged pieces were replaced in 2018.” Despite the replacements, other pipes failed due to the solvent that joins the pipes causing cracking. Steve Rowe, the public information representative for the University of New Mexico Facilities Management (FM), said in a statement that “FM... is working to determine the source of hairline cracks in some of the lab waste system piping.” These cracks were found by FM in April 2019. At a recent University town hall, Smith raised the issue of the

Emille Domschot / @

Several buckets collect a leak from a section of exposed ceiling in Clark Hall

plumbing in the new Physics & Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAIS) as it is also constructed with CPVC. She said it is “about to fail.” FM is working with other UNM departments on their monitoring of the current pipe issues and is also considering solutions if it appears that a full-on plumbing renovation is necessary. For now Rowe said, “lab waste systems are functional and any issues are being addressed by maintenance staff.” Colin Peña is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @penyacolin. Alyssa Martinez is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @amart4447.

Inside this issue HOLMEN: Author breaks down stereotypes in true crime drama GRIJALVA: Deb Haaland comes to UNM

STANDLEY: Taylor Swift review KIEFFER: UNMAM exhibit on transgender community


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Daily Lobo 8/29/19 by UNM Student Publications - Issuu