Daily Lobo new mexico
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
dailylobo.com
-2020
125 1895
N ew M ex ic
DAILY
o
LOB
O
Thursday, Februar y 6, 2020 | Vo l u m e 1 2 4 | I s s u e 4 0
Student gov. discusses student fee raise By Alyssa Martinez @amart4447 “Raise the damn student fees,” reverberated through the Steering and Rules Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 5. John Cooke, Interfraternity Council (IFC) president and Sigma Chi Fraternity vice president, delivered that statement. He was referring to two constitutional amendments — Bill 4S and Bill 5S — that would raise student fees at a $5 flat rate and a prorated rate of $2.08 per credit hour, respectively. “As it has been said before by (Deputy Chief of Staff Victoria Peña-Parr), our student orgs have doubled here since 2000, as well as the fact that inflation is a thing, things are way more expensive now, and the fact that our enrollment is down,” Cooke said during public comment. Peña-Parr and Chief of Staff Jacob Silva have spearheaded outreach efforts to student organizations, according to finance chair Abby Lutz. Silva said their ad hoc committee has reached out to 16 student organizations so far to discuss the possible fee raise. These bills are nothing new for the committee. Last semester, talk of a budget crisis loomed over senators as their budget diminished with every ap-
propriation. Like Bill 4S, Bill 6F aimed to be a solution by increasing student fees by $5 per semester. After a late night special session, several public comments and extensive debate, the bill ultimately failed for two key reasons — one being a lack of outreach to students, and the other because of a one-time funding block of $500,000 doled out by Student Fee Review Board to keep the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM) functioning this spring, as previously covered by the Daily Lobo. Many ASUNM senators hope this time around will be different. Emma Hotz, president pro tempore and former steering and rules chair, is an author and sponsor of both bills. Hotz explained that because ASUNM is primarily funded by the student government fee and because enrollment has dropped, this fee raise is of paramount importance for ASUNM to continue to function. “As enrollment was going up, student organizations were also going up and agencies also increased,” Hotz said. “So with that, (ASUNM) were getting more student fees and we were getting a larger budget, so we were steadily increasing the budget as student enrollment increased and same with student orgs.” But because of inflation and enrollment declines, Hotz and the other authors of the bills believe a
fee raise is the most apt solution. “If we do increase the fee, we will have a lot more money to give out,” finance chair Abby Lutz said. “Mostly what the students will see is more opportunities for them, whether it’s through their own student organizations or more things provided to them through ASUNM.” Lutz explained ASUNM puts on several events — such as Fiestas, Spring Storm and a slew of others — throughout the academic year that all students can attend them “free” because they are funded by the government fee. Aside from ASUNM events, chartered student organizations can request funding from ASUNM — either through the budget or appropriation process — to “help them, help fund some of their events, and help get them started.” The $25 figure asserted in Bill 4s took multiple sources into account. Silva said they arrived at $25 “because $20 in 2002 is worth $25 now” and because in “amount of outreach (he’s) done so far with the amount of student organizations that (he’s) talked to, they feel comfortable raising it to $25.” According to Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI inflation calculator, $20 in 2002 has the same buying power as $28.91 in Dec. 2019. Still, talk of raising the fee higher is not completely off the table. During his public comment, Cooke
The View goes paperless, extra fees for online payments By Bianca Hoops @Bianca_Hoops This change now requires residents to pay rent online via the View’s ABQ resident portal. This option is meant to be ecofriendly and monitor rent payments more accurately because of liability conflicts. Before, there was an additional option of turning in a check or money gram in-person to pay but in order to keep more accountability from all parties. The method of making everything online was easier to keep track of according to Brooklyn Hatley, an employee at the View. Hatley works at the front desk and helps residents with problems or questions they have. She said there have been situations in the past where money orders or checks were lost or never turned in. “It’s more for a legal reason just in case, that way everyone in the situation is held accountable. That way we won’t have anybody come back on our part and say we lost something or we did that… that way everyone is held responsible for their payment just if there ever is a mix-up,” Hatley said. Hatley said there are no additional fees to pay through online compared to money grams. To
Ellie Aikman / @eaikman1230 / Daily Lobo
John Cooke, InterFraternity Council president and Sigma Chi vice president, spoke to the ASUNM Steering and Rules Committee about student fees and how they should be raised so student organizations will not be affected in the future.
said he wouldn’t mind seeing a larger increase. “I personally believe that $5 is not enough, I believe that you should do more, I believe it ought to be raised every 5 years,” Cooke said. “I would suggest you get it done as fast as possible, because I think sooner rather than later we will start seeing the consequences if we do not raise these student fees — we will see more starting to get cut, and these orgs on campus already do not have enough support from the administration as a whole at UNM.” Senator Matthew Zank
echoed this belief. “Personally, I’d like to see the fee be raised more, but that’s something we can see about next week, especially after public comment,” Zank said. As of right now, Silva said he remains by the $5 increase. “If more students feel that way (about a higher increase), I would feel more open to the idea, but as of right now, I feel comfortable seeing it at $25,” Silva said. Steering and Rules Senator Timothy Mondloch expressed that
By Annya Loya
animate objects more clearly, as if they’re reanimated in animal form.” New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Director of Visitor Experience Rachel Veracka said. Art with recycled objects is not a new method of art but its popularity has exponentially increased in the last decade, and although Sayaka Ganz is not the first artist to utilize this technique, she’s shown great creativity with it. “I think this takes it a step further, brings a bigger message,” Jacquin said. Ganz’s sculptures include items from kitchen utensils to children’s toys. Instead of going to waste, these items come together to form pieces of art with a direct message which emphasizes the protection of the environment. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science’s main focus is to share the heritage of New Mexico through its vast collection and research, yet it has decided to share its space with the art community. “We recognize the way that people are gonna connect with science it’s often through the arts,” Veracka
Amanda Britt / @AmandaBritt__ / Daily Lobo
pay online they must either pay with a card which is almost a $7 service fee or send an e-check for a $1.95 fee. The goal is to help the planet and promote environmentfriendliness and support residents to do so. Crystal Miller, a sophomore at
UNM and resident said she didn’t realize they were going paperless. Miller has lived at the View for several months and said this transition may be good since there have been situations of lost money orders.
Inside this edition KNAPP: AASS raises the Pan-African flag for Black History Month KNUDSEN: Opioid bills make way to Roundhouse
see
View page 2
ASUNM page 2
Traveling art exhibit shakes New Mexico @annyaloyadl
Entrance to Valley View Villas, an apartment residence near the University of New Mexico, on Feb. 5, 2020.
see
A new art installment, “Sayaka Ganz- Reclaimed Creations,” opened at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science with seemingly in motion sculptures purely made out of plastic items. The exhibit opened on Jan. 10 and will be part of the museum’s attractions until May 17. It can be accessed with normal museum admission. Created by artist Sayaka Ganz and produced by David J. Wagner, LLC, “Sayaka Ganz-Reclaimed Creations” is a series composed of over 10 pieces — some in motion. All of the sculptures are represented by animals and made completely out of plastic objects of various tones. “I was fascinated with her work and how she could make these sculptures out of everyday objects,” said Andrea Jacquin, New Mexico Museum and Natural History and Science public information officer. Ganz grew up with Shinto animist beliefs meaning she believes all things in the world have spirits. Her upbringing had a major role in the creation of her art series. “You see the spirit in the in-
see
Trash Art page 2
GARCIA: The greatness of “ The Irishman” is overshadowed by its length RULL: Opinion: Losing team, supportive fans