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Athletics deficit could be eliminated if budget signed By Justin Garcia @Just516garc
SANTA FE — The New Mexico budget proposed to eliminate all of the University of New Mexico Athletics Department's $4.4 million deficit. It's not a done deal — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has until April to reject or approve each budget line. Athletics' cumulative deficit has been a regular topic of conversation over three years of Board of Regents meetings. In 2017, the Higher Education Department (HED) placed the Athletics Department under an Enhanced Fiscal Oversight Program, requiring them to submit additional budgets to better monitor the Department's spending habits. The HED thumped UNM for Athletics salaries, benefits and transfers regularly exceeding its budget in a letter from the department. HED specifically cited 2011 to 2017 as the years of concern — all years under former Athletics Director Paul Krebs. The New Mexico attorney general indicted Krebs last year with several felony charges relating to his management of the Athletics Department. When UNM cut four sports from its roster in 2018, administrators argued it would reduce spending, among other reasons.
Lujan Grisham may choose to lineitem veto any part of the budget bill, including the language that would erase the Athletics deficit. As of Feb. 23, she hasn't indicated any plans on vetoing that section of the bill. The budget was approved in the final hours of the 54th Legislature on Feb. 20. It includes the entire state's budget along with all its agencies, such as UNM and New Mexico State University. Sen. John Arthur Smith (D-Deming) pushed for language to cancel the Athletics deficit at both UNM and NMSU. Smith is known for his conservative approach to the state's finances. "I'm sick and tired of both universities having to take money games. We're not competitive, and we're getting crushed, but they've got to play those games to get enough money for their athletics departments," Smith told the Albuquerque Journal. Smith was referring to UNM's multimillion-dollar contracts with Power 5 schools like Notre Dame and Alabama. According to Athletics Department contracts, the football team will generate $11 million in body-bag games against the likes of Oklahoma ($1.6 million) and Mississippi State ($2 million), among others. This is a developing story. Justin Garcia is the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Just516garc
Justin Garcia / @Just516garc / Daily Lobo
Senate Finance Chair John Arthur Smith during a Senate Finance Committee meeting during the 2020 legislative session.
Clark Hall to undergo LoboTHON aims to raise more lengthy renovations By Amanda Britt
@AmandaBritt__ CLARK HALL — The Board of Regents approved $475,000 for the Riebsomer wing lab's waste system replacement in Clark Hall. The Riebsomer wing proj-
ect is phase two of renovations to Clark Hall, which has an estimated project budget of $16 million and is set to begin June 1, 2020. The second phase of renovations in Clark Hall will shut down the building for approximately 12 months. However, the Riebsomer wing will remain open.
Bobby Ortiz, the facility operations manager for chemistry and mathematics, said although fixing the pipes in Riebsomer is an urgent project, the wing will remain open during its renovation because research cannot be
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Clark Hall as seen from the roof of the Science and Mathematics Learning Center. The Riebsomer wing of Clark Hall is located on the left with ventilation vents.
BRITT: UNM team combats climate change RULL: Downward spiral continues with loss at Boise State
By Cameron Ward @xx_cameo_xx
Amanda Britt / @AmandaBritt__ / Daily Lobo
Inside this Lobo
than last dance marathon
SUB — Looking for superheroes? Look no further than the 2020 Marvel Avengers-themed LoboTHON, the fifth annual dance marathon to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network. Last year, the fundraising team broke their $100,000 goal and raised $103,408.42. This year, the goal is to raise $111,000 for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues. The Dance Marathon will provide food and games for the 13-hour run time and be held on March 28 from noon to 1 a.m. The event includes teams led by Zumba group DebTfitness, UNM flamenco students and the Comic Crusaders for New Mexico. LoboTHON is known for taking significant steps to raise funds for the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital
for the past five years — specifically for a program known as Child Life. The Child Life program is an age-appropriate educational and preparatory service for sick children and their families, according to the Health Science Center website. Like years past, children and parents from the UNM Children's Hospital will share their stories during the marathon. Nainika Ravi, the marathon events committee chair, said LoboTHON fundraising gives hope to every child. LoboTHON was acknowledged in July 2019 and awarded the Most Improved Dance Marathon Award at the Miracle Network Dance Marathon Leadership Conference. UNM is not the first to host a dance marathon — more than 250 universities and high schools participate in similar events
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CAIN: Langston Hughes Project celebrates Black History Month BUTLER: Baseball takes three in home openers