DAILY LOBO new mexico
Better than ever see page 4
April 9, 2012
Student regent explains budget
monday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
GOOD FRIDAY WALKS
by Svetlana Ozden sozden@unm.edu
Jake Wellman Student Regent Jake Wellman said students should expect an increase in student fees next year to fund Athletics. In an interview with the Daily Lobo, Wellman spoke about the proposed $50 increase in student fees going to the Athletics Department and the proposal he put before the Board of Regents to phase in the increase over three years to ease the financial burden on students. Daily Lobo: During the Budget Summit, you proposed increasing fees for the Athletics Department by $17 over the course of the next three years, rather than raising them by $50 in one year. Do you think the other regents will consider that proposal? Jake Wellman: The final motion that passed on (March) 23 called for a full increase next year. I think we considered all options that were presented and discussed at the regents’ budget summit. Ultimately, (Board President Jack Fortner’s) proposed budget framework was approved as the regents’ collective direction for developing a comprehensive budget. DL: How likely is it for students to see an athletics fee increase for next year? JW: It is unlikely that the budget, which includes the $50 fee increase to fund the Athletics Department, will change. The president’s budget framework that was passed 4-1 (Wellman voted against the budget) at the Budget Summit included an increase in student Athletics fees by $50. The Student Fee Review Board, both student body presidents (ASUNM President Jaymie Roybal and GPSA President Katie Richardson) put in months of hard work on their student fee recommendations, and it is unfortunate that this increase was approved outside of that process. However, the clock had run out and the need for funding remained on the table.
see Wellman PAGE 5
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 116
issue 133
Adria Malcolm / Daily Lobo Carl Baca (left) on Tomé Hill Friday morning during the annual Good Friday pilgrimage. Tomé Hill in Tomé, New Mexico is an attraction for thousands of pilgrims. Pilgrims come to pray and and leave gifts at the bases of hilltop’s three white crosses on Good Friday.
see Santuario PAGE 2
GPSA Council chair elections begin by Luke Holmen holmen@unm.edu
GPSA electronic ballot elections began today and run until April 11. The Daily Lobo interviewed council chair candidates Michael Verrilli and Kris Miranda to find out where they stand on the issues.
Michael Verrilli
Kris Miranda
Daily Lobo: Why did you decide to run for office? Michael Verrilli: I’ve been involved with GPSA for the past three years now and have participated in many parts of the government. This felt like the most natural next step in serving the student body. Kris Miranda: I’ve found that I like working with groups of strong personalities, who all have distinct interests and viewpoints and skills. Council combines both of those
interests on a large scale. DL: What qualifies you for the office and what makes you stand out from your opponent? MV: Prior to entering UNM, I had years of experience as … a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor in the State of New Mexico … and much of my time was spent facilitating groups. I see this as very similar to leading the (GPSA) council. It is important that all voices are heard and incorporated into the conversation, as well as to ensure that no one voice dominates it. I know my background has prepared me to do this. KM: As a project assistant I’ve provided direct support to every executive committee and I keep all the chairs on the same page. I have a high level of familiarity with a wide range of GPSA services and capabilities, and I’m used to juggling the needs of many parties. My involvement with GPSA has allowed me to have a hand in many student-serving initiatives and to build working relationships with many people who will still be around next year. In that respect, I would have less transition work to do if I’m elected, and so I’d also be in a position to help make the incoming president’s transition a smooth one. If the transition at the top is smooth, then the transition for the average grad student who needs GPSA’s services will be smooth. DL: What are your three major goals for next year? MV: I would like to see shorter council
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Tracking progress
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meetings. I feel that particularly with the two new legislative committees that there is no reason that meetings should ever run more than three hours. Robert’s Rules requires that discussion be cut off if it becomes redundant. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this enforced. Beyond this, I want to continue to fine tune the changes that have been implemented this year. The new constitution that was implemented this year was a major step forward for this organization, as it made for a much more concise governing document. It will continue to take time to understand it. As someone who was on the committee that wrote it, I feel that I am in a unique position to help with those changes. My third goal is the most important. I would like to see all people represented in council. I have seen council grow considerably these past three years. While this has been excellent for the student voice, there is still room to grow further. I was told that approximately one percent of graduate students actively participate in GPSA. Even a growth of 0.5 percent could improve the effectiveness of the organization and graduate student voice on campus. Increasing student participation was a goal I set for the College of Education this year and one at which I was successful. I know I could do the same for the University’s GPSA. KM: I want to build a team. I mean “team” in the sense of a whole greater than the sum of its parts, not because the parts bleed together but
see GPSA PAGE 5
TODAY
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