Daily Lobo new mexico
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
friday April 24, 2015 | Volume 119 | Issue 147
DOJ reps discuss sexual assault By Marielle Dent
Kanan Mammadli / Daily Lobo / @KenenMammadly
Sandra Akkad, an elementary education graduate student, listens as ASUNM senators discuss Resolution 12S. If it had passed, the resolution would have asked UNM to be transparent with its investments.
Resolution irresolution ASUNM fails call for divestment after hours-long debate By David Lynch
After nearly three hours of heated discussion, the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s senators failed Resolution 12S by a vote of 4-14-2 at their final Senate meeting of the semester on Wednesday. The legislation would have called upon the University to be transparent in its investments, and it specifically urged UNM to pressure companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and Caterpillar contributing to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine. The debate also included comments from several student organizations. About 70 students, teachers, alumni and others packed the gallery, which was clearly divided into supporters and opponents of the resolution: specifically, Students for Justice in Palestine, who authored the resolution, and Lobos for Israel and their respective allies who opposed it. Andrew Balis, president of Lobos for Israel, said his group’s main concern was what the resolution implied about their country. “(The resolution) serves that Israel must be dismantled. It will foster an environment of hostility on campus,” he said. “Instead of adopting a resolution that seeks to harm a country politically, ASUNM should foster discussion.” Elisabeth Perkal, a member of SJP, said that neglecting to put
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice visited UNM this week to hear from students, faculty and staff about sexual violence issues on campus. They conducted multiple focus groups that were open to all students as well as a few specifically for student athletes, fraternities and sororities. They also held open office hours. About eight students attended the first focus group on Tuesday. Issues with reporting sexual assault and other response concerns were discussed at the focus groups, said one student who wished to remain anonymous. “(The DOJ forum) was helpful, comfortable and respectful,” she said. “If something has happened to them, they should come forward and tell someone because (the DOJ) actually are here to listen and help us. The policies are hard to understand, hard to find, hard to know where to go if something has happened to you.” In December the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into the University’s policies and practices for preventing and responding to sexual assault. The review was a response to complaints about UNM’s handling of reported sexual assaults and sexual harassment. The DOJ representatives were unable to comment about the current status of the investigation or on their visit to campus. “UNM is committed to reducing sexual violence in the campus community by providing anyone
who may have experienced it with resources and support, and by resolving complaints promptly and fairly,” Dean of Students Tomas Aguirre said. UNM has taken steps toward these goals by establishing multiple initiatives, both student-driven and otherwise. LoboRESPECT is one approach that helps students confront issues surrounding sexual assault as well as hazing, alcohol abuse, hate and bias. This initiative is based off of the C.A.R.E (compliance, advocacy, respect and education) model that has committees of representatives working to create programs that meet its requirements, according to a UNM press release. The Lobo Guardian app, which was introduced in February, is another step UNM is taking to increase access to help. The app lets students anonymously report crimes to the UNM Police Department, make emergency phone calls and set safety timers with designated “guardians.” UNM has been working to promote initiatives and educational campaigns as well as update sexual assault policies and practices, according to a UNM press release. Students who were unable to attend a focus group but wish to speak to a DOJ representative can contact the department at 855856-2048 or online at community. unm@usdoj.gov. Marielle Dent is the web editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Marielle_Dent.
Kanan Mammadli / Daily Lobo / @KenenMammadly
Sen. Kyle Stepp rests his eyes at the last ASUNM meeting of the semester on Wednesday. Resolution 12S failed after three hours of intense discussion.
focus on Israel would contradict the group’s objective. “The reason we wanted to talk about Israel is because it’s important to us that we call out the racist and colonialized policies of that country,” she said. “It doesn’t target a student group, it addresses the state of Israel and these corporations.” There were multiple points of contention contributing to the length and climate of the discussion, but the dividing line was between senators who prioritized the safety of Israeli students on campus and those who supported Palestinian students and the occupation in their home country first and foremost. Many senators, including Kyle Stepp and Alex Cervantes, felt that
the resolution should fail so that a more complete legislation focused on general transparency can be brought before ASUNM in the future, without alienating certain groups. Stepp said bringing in more student organizations, as well as focusing on a more globalized picture instead of only a handful of companies to divest from, would make the resolution even stronger. “Right now this room is divided, but imagine if this room was together, with every single person behind a resolution saying that we want to divest from companies that commit human rights violations in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, in America,” he said. “That’s what we can do if everyone
front of a capacity crowd. “I still remember going to dinner after that loss. I couldn’t believe how impressive this place was,” Harriman said. “I still remember him (former Saint Louis head coach Rick Majerus) saying that he thought this is one of the more elite programs in the west coast and a top-25 program.” Now Harriman, an Australian
native, will be on the Lobo side of the court. On Wednesday Harriman was introduced as the new associate head coach for UNM, taking over for the departed Lamont Smith, who accepted the head coaching position at San Diego earlier this month. Head coach Craig Neal said he tried to persuade Harriman to come to UNM last year when former Lobo
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Kanan Mammadli / Daily Lobo / @KenenMammadly
Department of Justice representatives Torey Cummings, right, and Colleen Phillips speak at the UNM focus group meeting on Monday evening at the SUB. The DOJ held three focus group meetings with students this week on the topic of sexual assault.
New coach has experience opposite the Lobos By Thomas Romero-Salas
(505)836-2810 FAX: (505)839-0475
www.gatheringofnations.com
Chris Harriman isn’t new to New Mexico and its men’s basketball program. In 2011, Harriman came to The Pit and got his first taste of UNM as a member of the Saint Louis University coaching staff. That night, he and the Billikens experienced a 64-60 loss in
April 24 & 25, 2015
coach Craig Snow left the program to become head coach at New Mexico Highlands University. “He really fits what we do as a program and what we do as a coaching staff,” Neal said. “My biggest, hardest decision was trying to replace Lamont, who was outstanding here. My thing was trying to find the right guy who can be my right-hand guy. I
think I found him.” When asked whether he had any concerns about coming to a team that has had multiple coaching changes over the past two years, Harriman said he was not. “When I look at this program and coach Neal’s track record, I have no concerns,” Harriman said. “No matter
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