DAILY LOBO new mexico
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Kickin’ it
wednesday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
October 7, 2009
Mayoral Election ‘09
A new leader for Albuquerque by Heather Clark
The Associated Press Mayor Martin Chavez appeared on his way out late Tuesday, as state Rep. Richard Berry told supporters he will be Albuquerque’s next mayor. With 95 percent of precincts reporting, unofficial returns showed Berry leading with more than 43 percent of the vote. Chavez had 35 percent and former state Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero trailed with 21 percent. Berry must win by at least 40 percent to avoid a Nov. 24 runoff election. Chavez campaign spokeswoman Joanie
Griffin says vote totals were trending toward a clear win for Berry. While Chavez didn’t concede the race late Tuesday, Griffin says, he promised a smooth transition if Berry wins. Chavez paved the way for his campaign by asking a judge to overturn the term-limits law in the city charter. His candidacy has been compared to that of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who asked the City Council to reverse term limits so he could run this year.
Cleavage removed from controversial athletics ads by Isaac Avilucea Daily Lobo
Vanessa Sanchez / Daily Lobo Student Adam Clark plays hacky sack east of the SUB on Tuesday. Clark said he carries his hacky sack around all the time and plays whenever he gets a chance.
UNM’s most famous couple is leaning toward reconciliation — as long as Lobo Louie vows to sever all commercial ties with Route 66 Casino’s pin-up girl. Many UNM community members were angered by the joint ad campaign, which debuted in early September and includes spots that show Lobo Louie cohabitating with Route 66’s sultry model. On Monday, the Athletics Advisory Council — with the blessing of Athletics Director Paul Krebs — recommended the University pull the recently revised ads altogether. Krebs, who welcomed dialogue during Monday’s monthly council meeting, said UNM asked Route 66 Casino representatives to shorten the run-time of the commercials. Still, the council said other measures were necessary. In his Monday-morning message this week, President David Schmidly said the University pulled the old ads about a week ago. However, they were only temporarily pulled
for editing and then re-aired. The original cuts are still on YouTube. The cleaned-up spots were shown during Monday’s meeting, but little was changed. Apart from removing footage of the woman’s cleavage, the commercials are pretty much identical. Krebs said the Athletics Department is willing to change the approval process for corporate-sponsored ads. “Certainly, our intention is not to embarrass the University,” Krebs said. “If the sense of this group is that there needs to be changes based upon the conversation today, we are receptive to that. We are not being argumentative. This commercial has caused a lot of angst and embarrassment.” At least one member of the council, Deborah Rifenbary, said the ads violated the University’s policy on collegiate licensing and trademark usage. According to the policy, “The University will not approve the use of University marks in connection with alcoholic beverages,
see Athletics page 3
Center serves students for 40 years by Andrew Beale Daily Lobo
UNM’s El Centro de la Raza celebrated its 40th anniversary this week. Director Verónica Méndez-Cruz said the celebration at the SUB Monday and Tuesday involved children who are not old enough to attend college. She said outreach to middle school and high school students will increase enrollment of Latinos at UNM. “If we don’t reach out to them there, we won’t see them here,” she said. Méndez-Cruz said the festivities included plays put on by the children and mock college classes for middle school students. Sophomore Alejandro Mendiaz, who has a fellowship with El Centro
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de la Raza through the Office of Student Affairs, said the organization provides services, including peer mentoring and financial advisement, for Latino students. “It’s a big support system for Latino students, for any students really, because they’re open to anyone,” he said. “I’ve been going there for all my needs, for support, homework, the computer lab, friends, everything.” Junior Timoteo Serna, a volunteer at the organization, said the support services kept him from dropping out of UNM. “When I first came to UNM, El Centro was kind of my home. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for El Centro,” he said. Serna said that without El Centro de la Raza, life on campus would be much more difficult for Latino
students. Mendiaz said the anniversary celebration included outreach and workshops, as well as planning sessions. “This isn’t just a celebration of 40 years, it’s a planning session for what they’re going to do for the next 40 years,” he said. Méndez-Cruz said the planning sessions outlined El Centro de la Raza’s objectives and mission, which adapt to meet the needs of the Latino population. “Most importantly, it’s a center that continues to evolve,” she said. Méndez-Cruz said El Centro works to help Latino students integrate into the UNM community. She said they have computer pods, a break room, CAPS tutors for El Centro de la Raza members and support
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Zach Gould / Daily Lobo Middle school student Marcos Alonso gets taquitos Monday in the SUB ballrooms during El Centro de la Raza’s 40th anniversary celebration. Middle and high school students attended the celebration as part of El Centro’s attempt to increase enrollment of Hispanics at UNM.
Where are we?
Aiming high
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