DAILY LOBO new mexico
11-11
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The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
monday November 11, 2013
Required flu shots draw complaint by Stephanie Hoover news@dailylobo.com @StephCHoover
Sergio Jiménez / @SXfoto / Daily Lobo Brian Urlacher, right, shakes UNM President Robert Frank’s hand during halftime of the New Mexico vs. Air Force game at University Stadium on Friday night. Urlacher’s jersey number 44 was officially retired by UNM during a halftime ceremony in the Lobos’ 45-37 win over Air Force. He became the first Lobo football player to have his number formally retired by UNM.
UNM retires Urlacher’s number by Thomas Romero-Salas sports@dailylobo.com @ThomasRomeroS
Fans rose to their feet as soon as the video montage started. They roared when he was shown the on video screen next to a red cloth covering
his framed No. 44 jersey. It may just be a number, but to New Mexico football fans that number represents one of the most well-known players in the history of the team: Brian Urlacher, a name synonymous with the University. Now Urlacher’s 44 will be
Nine honored with diversity awards by Ardee Napolitano news@dailylobo.com @ArdeeTheJourno
UNM celebrated its guardians of diversity in Student Union Building ballrooms Friday morning. In the fourth annual Presidential Luminaria Awards, University administrators recognized students, faculty, staff and organizations who exemplify equity and inclusion on campus. Nine awardees got one of the coveted trophies. “These are very important, not just because of the effect that they have on UNM and its students,” said UNM Provost Chaouki Abdallah. “This connects us back to our community … These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have led the path of equity, inclusion and social justice.” Two faculty members, two staff members and two students garnered an award. Southwest Creations was the community organization recipient of the Luminaria, while the annual Inclusive Excellence Award went to African American studies
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professor Jamal Martin. In addition, Jennifer GomezChavez, director of UNM’s Office of Student Academic Success, got the first ever Inclusion, Access and Student Success Award. GomezChavez is also the director of the Unidos Project, a UNM program that aims to improve Latino student success on campus. Gomez-Chavez said the award took her by surprise. “I am truly honored to receive this award,” she said in her speech while crying. “Actually, I had no idea that I was getting this award … I had no idea I was going to come (to UNM) and be an educator. And it has been amazing. This is the best time of my life, helping students reach their potential.” Claudia Mitchell, a senior studying Chicano studies who got one of the student Luminaria awards, said she was star-struck in the event. “I’m proud of everybody that’s here,” she said. “I guess I’m more honored to be around all these special, incredible people.” A first-generation college student, Mitchell said diversity is critical to UNM.
Red shirt, blue shirt one shirt, two shirt see Page 6
memorialized. His number was officially retired by UNM during a halftime ceremony in the Lobos’ 45-37 win over Air Force on Friday night. He became the first Lobo football player to have his number formally retired by UNM.
see Urlacher PAGE 5
UNM Hospital employees have filed a complaint against UNMH administration about its decision to make flu vaccines mandatory for all staff. On Thursday, UNMH union members released their “Prohibitive Practices Complaint” against the hospital in order to negotiate the terms of the mandate and how employees will be affected. The complaint will be heard in front of the UNM Labor Board on Tuesday. Nurse Lorie MacIver, President for the License and Technical section of District 1199 NM, a local union for health care employees, said her union filed the complaint because employees were not allowed to negotiate the terms beforehand. “This is not a stance against immunization against the flu,” she said. “This is really a stance against employers not respecting their employees’ rights to bargain when they have an existing contract.” After flu shot clinics opened in September, hospital employees were sent a memo informing them that flu vaccinations would be mandatory this year. The hospital would like all employees to be vaccinated by Dec. 1. Though other vaccinations are required for all staff according to UNMH contracts, flu vaccines had always been available free to employees, but optional, MacIver said. David Pitcher, chief medical officer of UNMH, said because UNMH already has flu shots available to the public for free, the hospital would not charge employees more. He estimates over 70 percent of UNMH staff has already received the shot, according to their records. MacIver said she had already gotten her shot this season. Pitcher said mandatory flu vaccines was not an
see Flu
Vaccine PAGE 3
William Aranda / Daily Lobo Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, director of UNM’s Office of Student Academic Success, cries during her acceptance speech after receiving the Inclusion, Access and Student Award during the 4th Annual President Luminaria Awards in SUB Ballroom B on Friday afternoon. “We’re such an incredible state,” she said. “New Mexico is diverse. We have people from all types of backgrounds coming from everywhere. It’s important to include
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everybody.” Gomez-Chavez said UNM should continue to spread its commitment to diversity and inclusion. “The flame, sometimes it goes
down to almost burn out,” she said. “But then it comes back again, and we just want to continue to keep that flame going. We still have a lot of work.”
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