Daily Lobo new mexico
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Monday, O c tober 30, 2023 | Vo l u m e 1 2 8 | I s s u e 1 2
Unclear communication with UNM’s Campus Watch By Lily Alexander @llilyalexander
The University of New Mexico is gradually launching a new program intended to enhance safety through a campus-wide communication channel, but the rollout has not been universally seen by those intended to be involved in the program. Planning for the program titled “Campus Watch” began the first week of the fall semester with a questionnaire sent to UNM building coordinators – staff in charge of overseeing respective buildings on campus – according to Maya Williams, Campus Watch co-chair and Facilities Management Public Information Representative. The questionnaire was meant to gauge interest and recruit volunteer Zone Captains, Williams wrote. Once assigned, Zone Captains will super-
vise 23 different areas on campus divided by Campus Watch officials. Zone Captains will communicate – through phone or email – safety concerns and crime trends with students and staff, Williams wrote. They will also lead their zones and conduct meetings. “Campus Watch Zone Captains and participants are encouraged to communicate about any safety concerns they may have,” Williams wrote. “Examples include reporting uneven sidewalks, broken doors, vandalism, graffiti, trash or individuals sleeping in certain locations.” At least two building coordinators – Trenton Ward and Krystel Rosales who oversee the UNM Bookstore – never received the questionnaire, Ward, said. “The truth is I have heard very little about the new Campus Watch program,” Ward wrote. Eric Boeglin, Operations Manager
at UNM Recreational Services, is listed in the directory as a building coordinator for Johnson Center but said he was never informed of the role. Boeglin did receive the questionnaire but did not have time to complete it because of his beginning-of-semester responsibilities, he said. “I don’t know who determines the building coordinators,” Boeglin said. “I’ve never been told I was a building coordinator.” Boeglin said that while he appreciates building coordinators, he would like to see student involvement in the Campus Watch program. After 9 p.m., students run Johnson Center until it closes at 10 p.m., Boeglin said. “There are points when we have students running this facility,” Boeglin said. “I know how, late at night, this Campus can get pretty desolate.” 10 additional building coordinators did not respond to requests for comment.
Campus Watch was based on the concept of Neighborhood Watch, Williams said. Neighborhood Watch, inspired by community policing, asks residents “to be proactive in reporting crime, supporting their neighbors and taking preventative measures,” according to Bernalillo County. UNM Police Department will share relevant campus safety information they receive with Zone Captains, Williams wrote. If Zone Captains receive word of a crime, a police report must still be filed. There is no affiliation between Campus Watch and LoboAlerts – UNM’s emergency notification system. The Campus Watch website was published Oct. 26. A list of Zone Captains, their contact information and a campus zone map will be added soon, according to Williams, though an exact timeline is not known. Once the list is available, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to get invol-
ved and share their safety concerns, she wrote. “It’s essential to understand that Campus Watch serves as an information-sharing channel and not as a means for reporting crimes,” Williams wrote. Lily Alexander is a beat reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @llilyalexander
Vice President of Student Affairs addresses ASUNM By Jaymes Boe @DailyLobo
Ella Daniel/ @ella_daniel7/ Daily Lobo
Eric Scott, University of New Mexico Vice President of Student Affairs, updates the Senate on recent developments on Oct. 25.
The Vice President of Student Affairs, Eric Scott, appeared as a guest speaker at the most recent Associated Students at the University of New Mexico full Senate meeting. Scott addressed ASUNM through a presentation speaking the on Student Affairs’ mission and took more specific questions from senators regarding the Lobo Pantry. Scott brought up the possibility of needs
testing for access to the pantry. The Student Affairs mission is, “creating infrastructure so that no matter who you are, and no matter where you’re coming from, you have the opportunity to be successful at the University,” Scott said. Scott addressed the goals currently laid out by Student Affairs – a major one being student access to basic needs support. Basic needs, like food and housing, are necessary to meet a minimum standard of living. The 2023 state wide Basic Needs study found that of 15,000 university students, staff and faculty in New
Mexico, 67% experienced some form of basic need insecurity. One of the points of focus for Student Affairs is to “attend to the health and well-being of campus through continued stabilization of student health and counseling,” Scott said. Sen. Miriam Barba asked further about basic needs resources existing outside of SHAC, more specifically regarding UNM’s Lobo Food Pantry. “Lobo Food Pantry is supposed to be used as a last resort, and for a lot of students it is being used as a first resort, so how does Student Affairs
see ASUNM page 2
Loaded assault rifle found near Zimmerman Library By Lauren Lifke @lauren_lifke At about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, police responded to a report of a loaded assault rifle in a cactus outside Zimmerman Library, according to a State of New Mexico Uniform
Incident Report. Officers took into evidence the Smith & Wesson AR style rifle, along with 15 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. It is unclear who left the weapon and how long it had been there, according to the report. Local photographer Milton Lau was taking portraits when he noticed the weapon hidden in a cactus on
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the west side of the building near the Duck Pond. Lau said he picked it up, thinking that it was an Airsoft rifle. When he realized it was real, he set it down and called the police. Upon arrival, the responding officer removed the magazine and cleared the chamber. The officer checked the security cameras and did not see anybody nearby, according to
the report. “It had dust, and dirt and cobwebs,” Lau said. “I happened to be the only person that ever saw it because I was there.” Lau added that the situation was quickly resolved and he did not feel that it was a major incident. The case is now closed, according to the UNMPD Daily Crime Log, but
it is unclear whether the perpetrator was found. Lauren Lifke is a beat reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @lauren_lifke
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