DAILY LOBO new mexico
Music in the making
thursday
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October 21, 2010
The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
EXIT STAGE LEFT
Lobo Village set to open fall 2011 by Chelsea Erven cerven@unm.edu
Daniel Hulsbos/ Daily Lobo Amanda Meyers, front, and Amanda Machon prepared during dress rehearsal for the UNM production, “No Exit.” The play opens Friday.. See page 7 for the full story.
Tribes take action to curb rape by Susan Montoya Associated Press
Federal and tribal officials hope a new law aimed at improving the judicial landscape in Indian Country will help them combat “disturbing” crime statistics involving American Indian women. According to federal data, one in three Indian women will be raped in their lifetimes, while two-fifths will suffer from domestic violence. The chance an Indian woman will be the victim of a violent crime is three and a half times greater than the national average, the recent data shows. “The statistics in Indian Country regarding violence against women are disturbing to say the least. It’s incumbent upon us to take appropriate action,” said Wizipan Garriott, policy adviser to Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk. Many point to these figures as the impetus for the Tribal Law and Order Act, a broad new federal law aimed at combating crime on reservations. About 150 judges, tribal leaders and law enforcement officials met Tuesday and Wednesday in Albuquerque for a national symposium on implementing the law, signed by President Barack Obama in July. The act requires federal and tribal officers serving Indian Country to be trained in interviewing sexual assault victims and collecting evidence at crime scenes. It also requires the Indian Health Service to establish a nationwide protocol for helping sexual assault victims. While it will take time to fully implement all the provisions in
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 115
issue 42
the act, Garriott said improving the way federal and tribal agencies go about their daily work will make things better. For instance, he said, if data shows domestic violence calls are on the rise, agencies will look at how they can better train officers to respond. Coordination with U.S. attorneys that cover Indian County will also help ensure crimes against women are prosecuted, he said. Supporters of the law say it will untie officers’ hands in some cases by allowing them to make warrantless arrests. “If you see the evidence, the bruising or a facial expression — even with just a facial expression you can tell something happened — that probable cause will allow the police officer to make that arrest and stop the violence. Even if it’s for a short period of time, it will help,” said Francine BradleyArthur, who served 20 years as a Navajo Nation police officer and often saw the effects of domestic violence. Sarah Deer, an assistant law professor and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, was among the dozens of people who helped develop the Tribal Law and Order Act. She said she’s particularly hopeful the IHS will commit to training staff and having rape exam kits available at all of its facilities. About 30 percent of IHS facilities don’t have policies in place for dealing with sexual assault cases, according to federal figures. Deer acknowledged that not all women will report sexual assaults or want a forensic exam, but she said they should have the option. “It’s a protocol that’s been used in mainstream America for going on 30 years, and it just has been denied to Native women,” she said.
“We’re just asking — and hoping — that we can raise the standard for Native women equal to the expectations of mainstream America.” Deer and others said the law is not a quick fix for the crime problem in Indian Country, but it will provide the framework for taking incremental steps forward. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Bradley-Arthur said.
The Lobo Village real estate office is accepting applications from students and faculty interested in leasing a Lobo Village apartment. The complex opens August 2011, and the real estate office is hosting a kick-off event today at 10 a.m. at the SUB. Students living off campus will be given priority leasing opportunities, said Brent McPherson, general manager of Lobo Village. “We’ve had tons of interest already,” he said. “Over 100 applications have already been filled out and we’ve had over 1,000 guest interest cards filled out. The whole apartment complex should be filled by spring.” The office is accepting applications on a first-come-first-served basis until the 864 available beds are filled. The apartments, west of the Pit on Avenida Cesar Chavez, are furnished and include four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living area, kitchen and washer/dryer. McPherson said the complex also includes a 22,000-square-foot club house, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, two-story fitness center and 70-seat movie theater. “It has crazy, world-class amenities,” he said. Student Ryan Gately said he and his friends plan to apply to live in Lobo Village.
“They look super nice, especially the pool,” he said. UNM Communication Representative Karen Wentworth said Lobo Village is funded and operated by American Campus Communities, which is leasing the ground space at south campus. She said the complex has been under construction for more than a year. McPherson said the project cost more than $50 million. He said Lobo Village will help UNM’s retention rate. “The great thing is that UNM didn’t have to put up a penny,” he said. Lobo Village is open to sophomores and above, graduate students and faculty. Monthly rent is $499 per person and includes cable and Internet service. Leases are for 12 months, according to the website, and residents must pay all electrical bills and a shuttle transportation fee. Student Jessica Mize applied to live in the apartments next school year. She said the complex appealed to her because she wants to live on campus, but still have furnished rooms and amenities. Unlike main campus, Lobo Village does not have a no-alcohol policy, and Gately said he looks forward to the apartments’ social aspect. “It’ll be an awesome party community and a 24/7 social atmosphere,” he said.
• To apply for a lease, visit LoboVillage.com or the leasing office in the SUB basement.
STRING-SMITH
Terrance Siemon / Daily Lobo his violin is a recreation of an instrument created in 1695 by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari. Violin maker Cedra Wood plans to sell the violin for about $10,000 with proceeds benefiting the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. See page 10 for the full story.
Don’t ask; don’t tell
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
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