NM Daily Lobo 032911

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DAILY LOBO new mexico

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March 29, 2011

The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895

KNME sues UNM over missing funds Former employee claims retaliation in lawsuit by Shaun Griswold shaun24@unm.edu

A former general manager at KNME filed a lawsuit last week claiming the University terminated her for asking too many questions about why the station was missing more than $4 million. The plaintiff, Joanne Bachmann, claims that starting in 1992 UNM funneled millions of dollars from federal agencies and donors intended for the public TV station. She is seeking awards for damages, legal-service costs through the Whistleblower Protection Act and to retain her UNM position. In disputing Bachmann’s claims, University Legal Counsel said it will “vigorously defend” the institution. Through an internal review ordered by her KNME bosses, Bachmann found UNM had been retaining interest on balances of grants awarded to the station and that the University had been charging KNME for utilities and custodial expenses, even though UNM was receiving state money to cover those costs, the lawsuit said. Through those practices, the University retained more than $2 million that should have gone to the station, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also claims then-acting President David Harris signed an agreement to redistribute $2.3 million of federal stimulus dollars set aside to help KNME with the

digital television transition to other areas within the University for “the political benefit of UNM.” Harris declined comment Monday. The money has not been returned to KNME, according to the lawsuit. The University didn’t address the claims, but denied it retaliated against Bachmann.

“UNM unilaterally removed $1.2 million from a KNME endowment.” ~From KNME Lawsuit “Ms. Bachmannn’s reported concerns were fully and adequately addressed by the University,” University Counsel said in a statement. “Decisions regarding Ms. Bachmannn’s continued employment at KNME were driven exclusively by legitimate and independent management considerations.” The University claimed Bachmann was fired because of a “continued decline in our economic situation,” according to the lawsuit. Bachmann began working at KNME in 2001 as a campaign manager responsible for fundraising. That year, UNM reported the station had an operating deficit of $750,000. The University tried to help. “UNM created a ‘loan’ to KNME in the Physical Plant Department

see Lawsuit page 3

Junfu Han / Daily Lobo Student Adrian Carber holds a sign during Monday’s Board of Regents meeting. More than 20 people wielded signs at the back the room, many opposing tuition increases and budget cuts. The meeting lasted more than eight hours, but the regents didn’t make decisions.

Still no decision on budget by Shaun Griswold shaun24@unm.edu

UNM regents spent eight hours listening and discussing, but not approving, budget proposals during Monday’s budget summit. The regents heard University members discuss tuition increases, department decreases and consolidation, instructor salaries and student services. The final budget won’t be approved until the regents meet April 12.

Before considering a tuition increase, Schmidly said UNM explored all other budget-cutting avenues.

“Today is not a day for decisionmaking,” UNM President David Schmidly said. “Today is a day for serious listening.” Student Christopher Ramirez said that eliminating certain services, particularly those offered by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, will negatively impact students. “There are people at the University who feel like it’s such a hostile environment for them — that they

see Budget page 3

Activists: US needs to stay out of Libya by Shannon Alexander sralex2@gmail.com

Robert Maes / Daily Lobo Preston Wood, of the ANSWER New Mexico Coalition, rallies protesters outside the Bookstore. The coalition held nationwide protests over the weekend, opposing the U.S. bombing Libya.

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Afghan scandal

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Organizers called for “emergency” protests in cities across the country to oppose the recent bombings in Libya, and Albuquerque was no exception. About a dozen members of the local chapter of Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) met in front of the UNM Bookstore for Saturday’s protest. Compared to past events, member Gloria LaRiva said that the turnout was low. “This isn’t the same turnout as we had in 2003 before the war,” she said, “However, no people can support foreign occupation for long.” Members held yellow signs with anti-war slogans, while others shook maracas at cars driving by on Central Avenue. Cars honked as they passed by. Joel Gallegos, a member and

organizer in the ANSWER coalition, said that the group wasn’t protesting the Libyan revolution, but American involvement in the conflict. “If the U.S. really cared, then they would be also be doing something about the people being killed in Bahrain and Yemen,” he said. “But they don’t because those governments are friendly to U.S. interests.” The ANSWER coalition, formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has about a dozen members in its local chapter and holds meetings once a week. Gallegos also said protests often impact change. “A lot of people have the concern that maybe demonstrations don’t change public policy, but I would beg to differ,” he said. “If it wasn’t for popular movements, the Civil Rights movement would have never occurred.”

TODAY

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