Auditions for the radio drama "Epilogue" will be held on Friday, Feb. 11 from 5 - 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12 from 7 - 9 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 13 from 2 - 5 p.m., in the studios of KUNM located in Onate Hall on the east end of the UNM campus.
This radio play is a study of the relationship between a conflicted faculty couple and an aspiring young playwright. The production features three key roles:
* A female dancer and chorographer, at age 43 and 63.
* A male student/playwright, at age 19 and 39.
* The dancer's husband, an English instructor, at age 36 and 56.
Rehearsals will also be set for several weekends and a few weekday evenings
between Feb. 26 and March 17.
All cast members should be available for studio recording sessions on
Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20.
For more information contact Rachel Kaub at 505-277-4516 or via email: rkaub@unm.edu.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera announced today that UNM will begin a year-long, campus-wide effort to study its athletics program as part of the NCAA Division I athletics certification program. Specific areas the study will cover include academic integrity, governance and commitment to rules compliance, and a commitment to equity and student-athlete welfare.
While academic accreditation is common in colleges and universities, this program focuses solely on certification of athletics programs. Following a pilot project, the Division I membership overwhelmingly supported the program and its standards at the 1993 NCAA Convention. UNM completed its first certification self-study in 1998.
At the 1997 Convention, the Division I membership voted to change the frequency of athletics certification from once every five years to once every ten years and to require a five-year interim status report. Thus, the current self-study will be the second in the certification process for the University of New Mexico.
The certification program's purpose is to help ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations. It opens up athletics to the rest of the university/college community and to the public. Institutions will benefit by increasing campus-wide awareness and knowledge of the athletics program, confirming its strengths and developing plans to improve areas of concern.
The committee responsible for the study will include President Louis Caldera, steering committee chair Dr. Breda Bova, and various members of the university faculty and staff as well as athletics department personnel. A member of the NCAA membership services staff is today conducting a one-day orientation videoconference with the committee and its subcommittees.
Within each area to be studied by the committee, the program has standards, called operating principles, which were adopted by the Association to place a “measuring stick” by which all Division I members are evaluated.
Once UNM has concluded its study, an external team of reviewers will conduct a two-day minimum evaluation visit on campus. Those reviewers will be peers from other colleges, universities or conference offices. That team will report to the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, another independent group. The committee will then determine the institution's certification status and announce the decision publicly. For institutions that fail to conduct a comprehensive self-study or to correct problems, tough sanctions can be imposed.
The three options of certification status are: (a) certified; (b) certified with conditions; and (3) not certified. While universities and colleges will have an opportunity to correct deficient areas, those institutions that do not take corrective actions may be ruled ineligible for NCAA championships.
The NCAA is a membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics. The primary purpose of the Association is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body. Activities of the NCAA membership include formulating rules of play for NCAA sports, conducting national championships, adopting and enforcing standards of eligibility, and studying all phases of intercollegiate athletics.
Contacts: Greg Remington, (505) 277-5520; Susan McKinsey, (505) 277-1989
ZOOM Into Engineering day will be Sat., Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Atomic Museum and will feature people and displays from the University of New Mexico Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department.
The event will bring professional and student engineers together with themes from a popular children’s public television show –ZOOM! The program on KNME-TV, weekdays at 3 p.m., introduces 5 to 11-year-olds to science experiments and helps develop problem-solving skills.
“We will have hands-on activities, designed and created by our faculty staff, and students, including a number of lively robots, a laser light show and electromagnetic can crusher,” said Gregory L. Heileman, director of the ECE undergraduate program.
A professional engineer will be available for children to talk to. Afternoon demonstrations include the Blaze Battling ‘Bot, designed by Highland High School student Gabe Elder, whose research is sponsored by the UNM Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
Zoom Into Engineering is a joint project of ZOOM! and National Engineers Week, Feb. 20-26. ZOOM has created materials for engineers to use with kids in classrooms, after-school programs and libraries.
For more information, contact Peggy Herrington at 277-3156.
Contact Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816
The University of New Mexico will showcase programs and services at the New Mexico State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 3, during the 3rd Annual UNM Day at the State Capitol. Activities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Faculty, staff and students from more than 20 UNM departments, including the College of Arts and Sciences, will attend. The UNM Health Sciences Center will also be well represented. Participants from the School of Medicine, colleges of nursing and pharmacy, New Mexico Poison Center and the Cancer Research and Treatment Center will be on hand.
The School of Medicine plans to have an exhibit highlighting B.A./M.D. combined degree program. They will have 'fake arms' (prosthetics) to help teach individuals how to start an IV.
Members of the Graduate Professional Student Association (GPSA) will share a table with Associated Students of UNM (ASUNM), and will hand out information and promotional items to Roundhouse residents and visitors.
The Center for High Technology Materials will operate a booth highlighting research performed at its center, including optoelectronics, microelectronics and nanotechnology applications. Attendees will have a chance to try on a clean room “bunny suit.”
Mariachi Lobo and the Ballet Folklorico "Lumbre" will provide noon entertainment in the Capitol Rotunda.
Other departments featured include El Centro de la Raza, Accessibility Services, Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM), Extended University, Research Opportunity Program, KNME-TV, the Manufacturing, Training and Technology Center (MTTC), Physical Plant, the School of Law Library/Clinical Programs, KUNM-FM, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Lobo Athletics, UNM Libraries and School of Engineering. The Alumni office will share space at the UNM Info Booth.
UNM Communications/Marketing and Public Affairs are working closely with UNM Government Relations Director Carlos Rey Romero to organize the event.
For more information contact Eleanor Sanchez, (505) 277-1813.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5920
KNME-TV, Channel 5, (PBS - Albuquerque / Santa Fe) has been nominated for a national NAMMY Award, a Native American Music Award, for the production “Songs of the Spirit,” in the category best short of long form video.
The winner will be announced at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards, on Thursday, Feb. 10 in Hollywood, Fla.
“Songs of the Spirit” was taped in Albuquerque's historic 1927 “Pueblo Deco” KiMo Theatre. The production features three nationally renowned, multi-award winning Native musicians: flutist R. Carlos Nakai, singer-songwriter Joanne Shenandoah and singer-songwriter-painter Bill Miller, performing with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra (NMSO), Guillermo Figueroa, music director.
KNME-TV created and produced “Songs of the Spirit” with Native American Public Telecommunications and Brandenburg Productions, Inc.
“Bringing this production to PBS was an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with our own New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and these great Native American artists,” said Ted A. Garcia, KNME-TV general manager and CEO, and executive producer of “Songs of the Spirit.”
The production was taped live before two sold-out audiences at the KiMo Theater in September 2003 and has been aired nationally on PBS stations beginning in March 2004.
Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
The New Mexico Sentencing Commission has published a report with estimates on the cost of housing four categories of felony arrestees in county detention facilities in New Mexico.
The commission entered into a contract with the New Mexico Association of Counties to conduct the study. The findings will be presented to the association at its midwinter conference tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 26, in Santa Fe.
The report, authored by Linda Freeman, M.A., and Paul Guerin, Ph.D., of the NMSC and University of New Mexico Institute for Social Research, estimates that the total annual cost of housing felony arrestees using actual facility cost in New Mexico county detention facilities is $25.4 million.
The report breaks out the cost into four felony categories:
* Sentenced to prison and waiting for transport to a state facility is $2.4 million.
* Probation and parole violators sentenced to a detention facility is almost $4.3 million.
* Sentenced to detention facility is almost $6.6 million.
* Unsentenced probation and parole violators is $12.1 million.
"The information in this report will be invaluable to legislators on the finance committees making appropriations decisions regarding the housing of felony arrestees in county detention facilities,” said Michael Hall, NMSC executive director.
Commission reports, printed directories and information are available to the public at http://www.nmsc.state.nm.us. The Web site receives more than 50,000 hits per month from those in New Mexico government and private citizens.
The NMSC consists of judges, cabinet members and other experts in the criminal justice field. The commission provides information, analysis, recommendations and assistance to the three branches of government and to interested citizens.
During the past 12 months, the commission, which includes the Sex Offender Management Board, has held more than 60 public meetings and has published numerous research reports on topics including sex offenders, DWI, methamphetamines and juvenile parole boards.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
School of Law Professor Denise Fort has been appointed to the National Research Council committee charged with conducting the study “Potential and Pitfalls for Sustainable Underground Storage of Recoverable Water.”
The committee will publish an overview of research needs and priorities concerning sustainable underground storage technology. A variety of factors contributing to the performance of storage projects will be assessed.
The National Research Council is an arm of the National Academies.
Fort has 25 years experience in environmental and natural resources law. She is former chair of the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission, a presidential appointment. Fort joined the UNM law faculty in 1991.
Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Governor Bill Richardson's Media Industries Strategy Project 2005 conference, “New Mexico's Media Future: Economic Development through Art and Technology,” will be hosted by the University of New Mexico ARTS Lab Friday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the UNM Student Union building. This event will be the finale of “Governor Richardson's Technology Development Planning Week” – the last week of January.
“Technology-based economic development builds on some of New Mexico's greatest strengths in science, research and technology, while offering the potential for tremendous growth that respects our environmental, cultural and life-style advantages,” Richardson said.
The UNM event will attract filmmakers, business innovators, engineers, designers, educators and others interested in furthering the state's digital media industry.
“This is the first opportunity for everyone interested in the value and viability of developing digital media enterprises in New Mexico to gather and network,” said UNM Professor Ed Angel, director of UNM's Arts Technology Center. “This is a great chance to learn about and get involved with collaborative projects statewide.”
Keynote speakers Alton Walpole, filmmaker, and Michael Stearns, composer and sound designer, will share experiences with traditional and advanced media in New Mexico from 9-10 a.m. in Student Union ballroom B.
Luncheon speaker John Miner, Intel Corporation, will discuss the Media Industries Strategy Project and the Digital Home from noon to 1 p.m.
Morning sessions include:
10 a.m. - Implementing the Media Industries Strategy Project: Outlook for 2005; educational institutions funded by Richardson's project present their plans
11 a.m. - Building on the New Mexico Way; speakers from the business, arts and research communities share how they capitalize on New Mexico's unique environment to build a strategic niche.
Afternoon breakout sessions include:
1 p.m. - Tapping New Mexico's Cultural Heritage; Dorothy Baca, UNM Arts of the Americas Institute, facilitates a discussion between representatives of the Institute of American Indian Arts, National Hispanic Cultural Center and UNM.
2:45-4:15 p.m. – Technology as Competitive Advantage; Andres Salazar, PNM chair in microsystems at UNM, moderates a discussion on the role of media-related technology in the Media Industries Strategy Project. Representatives from the national laboratories and small tech business innovators are participants.
From 1 to 4 p.m. Governor's Cup winning films will be screened in ballroom B. Panel members will recap developments from the various sessions and talk about next steps from 4:30 to 5 p.m.
“My hope is that people will learn how to become involved with the Media Industries Strategy Project so they can help grow and sustain this industry,” Angel said.
UNM's Art Technology Center was recently awarded $3 million to create the “Art, Research, Technology and Science Laboratory” (ARTS Lab) to support the state's efforts in digital media. The lab is to become a key catalyst for education and research.
The conference is free; however, attendees are asked to pre-register on the Web at http://artslab.unm.edu/. A complete schedule of events, maps and parking information are also available on the Web site.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
A talk on “Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs,” by Judge James P. Gray, will take place Monday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. at the UNM School of Law, rm. 2401.
Gray currently presides over the civil trial calendar for the Superior Court of Orange County. He earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California in 1971. Gray served in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica for two years and also as staff judge advocate and criminal defense attorney for the U.S. Navy JAG Corps in Guam and Calif.
He was awarded a National Defense Ribbon, a Vietnam Service Ribbon, and a Combat Action Ribbon during his tour of duty. He also worked as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles. He worked in private practice in civil litigation in Newport Beach for five years.
Gray received a host of awards, including "Judge of the Year" in 1992 from the Business Litigation Section of the Orange County Bar Association, and in 1995, was given that same honor by the Orange County Constitutional Rights Foundation. He has also received the Drug Policy Foundation's prestigious "Justice Gerald Le Dain Award" for achievements in the field of law.
Although he has championed many causes, none has received more attention from Gray than the illegal drug problem in America. Gray continues to mobilize civic leaders, government officials, corporations, non-profit organizations, the media, and the public to join him in exploring alternate solutions to reduce this chronic problem.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Two respected pueblo potters, Pam Lujan Hauer from Taos Pueblo and Clarence E. Cruz from San Juan Pueblo will lead the discussion about their art at a brown bag lunch from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 102 of Zimmerman Library, Monday, Jan. 24.
They will also conduct a panel discussion about traditional and contemporary Native American Pottery from 4 pm to 6 pm in the Willard Reading Room of Zimmerman Library on January 24.
The events are free and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
In an effort to revitalize Chicano Studies at the University of New Mexico, the public is invited to a series of guest lectures, round tables and community forums featuring celebrated local and national scholars and activists.
Renowned Alburquerque educator John J. Lopez will moderate the forums scheduled for Tuesdays at 6 p.m. The host group is Lopez's introductory Chicano Studies seminar.
The first forum, scheduled for Jan. 25 in UNM Law School rm. 2401, is “Creating Educational Access for Latinos: the Pipeline Project,” and features Margaret Montoya, UNM Law School professor and director of the Southwest Hispanic Research Institute. Additional invited guests include Valerie Romero-Legott, Karen Griego, Miguel Acosta, Rebecca Blum Martinez and former Governor Toney Anaya.
Other forums on community issues include:
Feb. 22 -- “Tierra y Agua: Land Grants, Acequias, and Agricultural Traditions”
March 8 -- “Cruzando Fronteras: Immigration in the 21st Century”
March 29-- “Trabajo y Trabajadores: A Legacy of Labor Activism”
April 26-- “Buscando Justicia: Social Inequality in the Hemisphere”
May 3 -- “Noche de Cultura: Poetry, Music, and Drama”
For more information and sites for the lectures, contact Chicano/Hispano/Mexicano Studies Program at 277-6414.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
Ellen Wenzel has been appointed special assistant to the Board of Regents. The special assistant is a new position created to provide operational and administrative support for the Board. Responsibilities include coordinating the development of the board agenda, schedules and activities.
Contact the Regents
This new position will also provide a focal point for contact with the Regents, serving as a liaison between the board, the Office of the President, university administrators, faculty, staff, students, public officials and community members. Wenzel can be reached at (505) 277-5627 or at ewenzel@unm.edu
Experienced
Wenzel has more than 25 years of experience, most recently serving as executive assistant for President Louis Caldera. Prior to that she served as executive assistant to the president and Board of Directors of Benedictine University in Illinois.
She has also served as co-founder and deputy director of the East West Corporate Corridor Association, an economic development consortium of both public and private institutions and major corporations in suburban Chicago. Wenzel has a bachelor’s degree in communications from North Central College (Illinois) and experience in both development and political arenas.
“We are thrilled to have Ellen in this new position. With her prior experience and familiarity with the University, she is the ideal person to quickly and effectively take on this new position,” said Board of Regents President Jamie Koch.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
The Organization of American States (OAS) announced recently that it is donating 1,500 scholarships to the University of New Mexico to train teachers in the State of New Mexico. The scholarships will be used for online courses offered through the Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org) of the Institute of Advanced Studies of the Americas.
The value of the scholarships is approximately $300,000, according to Carlos Paldao, chief, Division of Information Technology for Human Development, OAS. Those receiving the scholarships would be teachers pursuing professional development.
OAS and UNM signed an agreement in 1994 to strengthen education and training in the Americas through applied information and communication technology. The scholarships are the next step toward meeting those goals.
The announcement was made during a working meeting at UNM with Dr. Cynthia Radding, director, UNM Latin American and Iberian Institute; Dr. Eliseo Torres, UNM vice president of Student Affairs; Dr. Viola Florez, dean, UNM College of Education and other UNM education and technology professionals.
Dr. Verónica García, New Mexico Secretary of Education, was unable to attend, but noted, “This is a wonderful opportunity for educators of the State of New Mexico to explore new methods of professional training. We are very interested in expanding distance learning opportunities for teachers at all levels and are enthused to be collaborating with the OAS in this important endeavor.”
OAS, the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC) and the Center for Latin American Resources and Outreach (CLARO) at UNM’s Latin American and Iberian Institute will coordinate training activities planned for 2005-06. Teachers will be able to participate in such online courses as “Quality in Basic Education” and “Education in Nutrition.” Onsite workshops are also planned.
“This is a pioneering effort for the State of New Mexico and UNM with regards to the professional training of their teachers,” Paldao said.
New Mexico is not unique with regard to teachers having limited access to higher education options and a need for professional development. Paldao said that in Brazil the portal was going to be made available for 500 teachers.
“They came back and told us they had a need for 9,000 slots, representing just ten percent of Brazil’s teachers,” he said.
“We have always had a very positive working relationship with UNM and we are glad to be able to support the efforts of the state of New Mexico to strengthen teacher training through the infrastructure of the Educational Portal of the Americas,” Paldao said.
LAII Coordinator Ana Nolla said the portal is a good product. She added, “We need to provide licensure and professional development opportunities to New Mexico teachers and the state will need to recognize this program.”
Dean Florez said that coursework would need additional input and local monitoring. She also said that the College of Education needs additional resources in order to dedicate faculty time to develop and teach Web-based courses. “We also need to assess its impact on our programs,” she said.
The Educational Portal of the Americas was launched in September 2001 to provide the region with greater access to educational and training opportunities and to promote equity in education so all citizens of the hemisphere can reach full academic, professional and personal potential. Available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, the portal has attracted tens of thousands of users from 200 countries and territories of the world and has trained more than 10,000 professionals in the region.
Ramiro Jordán, ISTEC executive director, said, “This program helps to make the state of New Mexico the gateway for science and technology in Latin America.” He added that Gov. Bill Richardson helped fund and establish ISTEC when he was in Washington. In addition to offering coursework, the portal will also provide access to digital libraries.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of New Mexico have created a program in UNM’s Center on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) that will give graduate students the opportunity to assist in the transfer of technologies from the Laboratory to the private sector.
The program is expected to attract students from the business and engineering schools at UNM, but is open to all graduate students, who will primarily be involved in feasibility studies, technology assessment, and marketing or business plan development.
“The Laboratory’s Technology Transfer Division (TT) is pleased to be a co-developer of this program,” said Donna Smith, TT division leader. “The work from UNM student teams on the commercialization of technology from the Laboratory will augment the data we can already offer the private sector on the value of our technologies. Through its technology licensing programs TT division is dedicated to help create jobs and new businesses in New Mexico and the country.”
The program will allow student teams to choose a licensable technology from the Laboratory and propose a project for furthering its commercialization, such as a marketing plan, under the supervision of a UNM professor and with TT division approval. UNM will receive a stipend from the Laboratory to cover the costs of the student assistantships. Supervision of the program at UNM will be handled by CEI, directed by Andres C. Salazar, professor and Public Service Company of New Mexico chair in Microsystems, Commercialization and Technology.
“We are happy that Los Alamos has decided to participate in this technology commercialization program with UNM,” said Anderson Schools of Management Dean and Professor Charles Crespy. “It provides a challenging way for ASM students to assist in the transfer of world-class licensable technologies from the Laboratory.”
Contacts: Kevin Roark (LANL), 505-665-9202; Steve Carr (UNM), 505-277-1821
The last of six University of New Mexico Alumni-Legislator receptions hosted by the Alumni Association was held recently. The receptions enabled the discussion of issues that will affect UNM during the Legislative session. More than 20 legislators attended at least one of the receptions held in alumni homes throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area and Rio Rancho. Between 30 and 60 people attended each reception.
Photo (l. to r.): Lee Trussel, Alumni Association President Coleman Travelstead, Regent Maria Griego-Raby, Senator William Payne and Dick Minzner at one of the Alumni Legislative receptions.
Those involved, including Alumni Association President Coleman Travelstead, said they were pleased with the participation of the legislators and the support of alumni and the UNM administration.
“The receptions provide a nice, relaxed and informal way to interact with the legislators,” Laurie Moye, president of the UNM Architecture/Planning Alumni Chapter.
Legislators who attended the receptions include: Senators Mark Boitano, Joe Carraro, Kent Cravens, Dede Feldman, Cisco McSorley, Bill Payne, Gerald Ortiz y Pino and Diane Snyder, and Representatives Thomas Anderson, Janice Arnold-Jones, Miguel Garcia, Jimmie C. Hall, Larry Larranaga, Kathy McCoy, Greg Payne, Danice Picraux, Jane Powdrell-Culbert, Rick Miera, Harriet Ruiz, Ed Sandoval and Teresa Zanetti.
“We appreciate the legislators’ willingness to talk with the students and discuss student concerns and the acceptance we have felt from the alumni who opened doors for us,” said ASUNM Lobbying Chair Jon de Young.
Contacts: Kim Feldman, (505) 277-5808; Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
“PLANetizen has named “Squares: A Public Places Design Guide for Urbanists,” by UNM Assistant Professor Mark C. Childs, School of Architecture and Planning, among the top 10 books published in 2004.
PLANetizen is a public-interest information exchange provided by Urban Insight for the urban planning, design and development community. They provide a daily, one-stop source for urban planning news, job opportunities, commentary and events. Urban Insight is an Internet consulting and Web development firm experienced in the application of Internet technologies to the urban environment.
The list of top 10 books was compiled by the PLANetizen editorial staff based on a number of criteria, including editorial reviews, sales rankings, popularity, Planetizen reader nominations, number of references, recommendations from experts and the book’s potential impact on the urban planning, development and design professions.
In their review of the book, PLANetizen editors noted, “In ‘Squares: A Public Places Design Guide for Urbanists,’ Mark C. Childs has created an elegant, easy-to-read, and well-organized traditional planning handbook to help designers, planners, public officials, students, developers and community leaders understand the history and theories of public spaces, in order to create convivial places that meet the needs of their community…Collectively, Squares is a useful reference material for those interested in creating or improving upon public open space in their community.”
Candidate nominations accepted through Feb. 11
An election is underway for the four elected community seats on the KUNM Radio Board. According to the board's bylaws, the fifth-highest vote getter will be designated an "alternate.” The elected alternate will be seated if one of the four elected community representatives is unable to complete his or her two-year term.
KUNM contributing listeners (members) will receive ballots automatically as a membership benefit. Any contributing listener who has made a minimum of one $20 contribution or more in the past two years will receive a ballot in the mail. KUNM staff members – paid and volunteer – will also receive ballots.
According to election guidelines, the election will be carried out by the University of New Mexico's Office of the Provost, or its designee. For this election, Provost Brian Foster has enlisted the assistance of the University Secretary for the nomination phase.
KUNM is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution; women, minorities and people of various socioeconomic backgrounds are encouraged to participate; a broad array of points of view and philosophies are welcome.
Candidates who wish to be considered for these open seats may nominate themselves by submitting a one-page document with name, address, telephone number, and a 50 to 75-word biographical sketch. Candidates must also provide a 50 to 75-word statement addressing the following five questions:
* What experience or background do you have that is relevant to KUNM?
* What are the strengths and weaknesses of KUNM?
* How can KUNM promote diversity in its listenership and its programming?
* How can KUNM better serve listeners outside the Albuquerque area?
* What new ideas do you have for KUNM?
Candidates' biographies and statements will be published in next month's “Zounds” with the election ballot. This information will not be edited for content, but will be restricted to a maximum of 75 words for each item. Only the first 75 words of a candidate's biography and the first 75 words of the candidate's statement will be published. The same material will also be posted to KUNM's website – http://kunm.org/community.
Nominations may be mailed or delivered to:
University Secretary
Scholes Hall, Room 101
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
The University Secretary will accept nominations now through Friday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. Interested parties may request the KUNM Radio Board Election information packet from the University Secretary's office (505) 277-4664. The packet contains election guidelines, the UNM Regents' “Policy on KUNM,” and “By-Laws of the KUNM Radio Board,” a statement from current radio board members about member's roles and obligations and additional election-related material. This information is also available on KUNM's Web site.
Candidates will also be expected to participate in a live on-air forum to be broadcast on KUNM Saturday, March 5 from 5 - 7 p.m. Contributing listeners and KUNM staff will receive their ballots by March 1. All ballots must be returned no later than March 11.
According to the radio board bylaws, candidates cannot be a past or present staff member, or a volunteer who has been actively involved with KUNM for the year prior to the start of the term on the board. Candidates must be willing and able to attend board meetings (held on the first Tuesday of the month from 6 – 8 p.m.) and participate on board committees.
UNM students, staff, and faculty are not eligible to be candidates for this community election, since their constituencies are represented through appointments.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920
The University of New Mexico Peace Studies program will host Albuquerque's first Peace Fair, free and open to the public, on Tuesday, March 1, from noon to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Building ballroom.
UNM's School of Law, Students Organizing Action for Peace (SOAP), International Programs, Women Studies, Women's Resource Center, the sociology, political science, anthropology and communication and journalism departments, Religious Studies and College of Arts and Sciences are co-sponsors.
A celebration of peacemaking activities in New Mexico, the event is “a chance to educate the campus and statewide community about the UNM Peace Studies Program,” said Jenny Moore, Peace Studies director and School of Law associate dean.
Peace Studies is dedicated to the study of the causes of violence and alternatives to violence and the practice of conflict resolution on all levels – from the interpersonal to societal to international.
The Peace Fair will include a keynote speaker, panel presentations and displays devoted to peace as well as information about Peace Studies courses and events.
Academics and community activists with expertise in local and global conflict resolution will give presentations to “illustrate the dynamism and synergy developed through skills and insights that come from mediation work within families and institutions on the one hand and the practice of conflict resolution in cross-cultural, national and international arenas on the other,” Moore said.
Panels will convene at 1 and 3 p.m. The first presentation includes UNM African American Studies Director Shiame Okunor, who travels with students to Ghana, Economics Professor Alok Bohara of the Nepal Studies Center and Mennonite pastor Anita Amstutz.
The 3 p.m. panel features Deborah Tang of Haven House, a domestic violence shelter; Debra Oliver, co-facilitator of the New Mexico Peace Initiative, and Lori Helene Rudolph, adjunct professor in UNM Women Studies and core member of the Arab/Jewish Peace Alliance, and Cecilia Chavez, Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, and the liaison to women organizing in response to the Juarez murders.
At 5:30 p.m., Melinda Smith, a mediation expert involved in reconciliation work and founding executive director of the New Mexico Center for Dispute Resolution, will give the keynote address “ Toward a Culture of Peace: Applications here and abroad.”
Smith is a UNM Peace Studies program member with more than 20 years experience in the mediation field. Since 1995 she has focused on public lands grazing and logging issues; water quality; fire and drought management; endangered species; and community land use and transportation policy. She also facilitated dialogue related to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict for the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota and is currently working in the South Pacific.
UNM's Peace Studies is an undergraduate interdisciplinary minor program that includes courses and electives from more than 15 departments governed by a program committee of faculty, students and community partners. Broader membership includes individuals committed to and engaged in peacemaking activities.
Peace Studies members include therapists for victims of domestic violence and other traumatic experiences, court and public school mediators, counselors for conscientious objectors to military service, reconciliation experts in family and community conflicts, and peacemakers in war-torn societies throughout the world.
To co-sponsor or request a table, visit www.unm.edu/~peace or call 277-4032.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
The Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico has approved a road map for developing land in Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque’s southeast quadrant. Forest City Covington (FCC), a major national land developer, will be responsible for the actual development.
UNM will participate in a land exchange with the State Land Office allowing FCC to move ahead with the development in return for an opportunity to participate in some development projects.
“They’re eventually going to have 90,000 residents out there,” said UNM Board of Regents Chairman Jamie Koch. “This is going to be another Rio Rancho. Everybody is going to make money on this deal.”
The agreement is part of a complex land exchange involving the UNM, Cochiti Pueblo and the State Land Office. UNM, which owns the Young Ranch southeast of Santa Fe will trade the ranch to the State Land Office, in exchange for 3,000 acres of state owned land in the Mesa del Sol development. Part of the Young Ranch includes land regarded by Cochiti Pueblo as sacred. Two hundred fifteen acres important to the Pueblo were returned to Cochiti last December in a ceremony hosted by the Cochiti Tribal Council.
The 3,000 acres of land at Mesa del Sol includes two future campus sites, one of approximately 440 acres and one of approximately 40 acres. UNM will retain that land, and sell approximately 2,520 acres, plus 480 acres the university already owns to Forest City Covington.
The UNM campus parcels will only be developed with land use and facilities typically associated with the educational and research mission of a major public research university, and may include a research park, university affiliated non-profits and institutes, community service, athletics, student activities, housing for faculty, student and staff, health clinics and other Health Science Center uses. Forest City Covington will size the backbone infrastructure to serve the projected level of intensity of development on the campus parcels.
As part of the agreement, UNM will sell the land to FCC at acquisition cost from the State Land Office. UNM would also have the right to participate in the Forest City Covington Capital limited liability company for 15 percent. This portion of the agreement might include participation in specific projects the company develops at Mesa del Sol.
“This is a great step forward in our partnership with Forest City,” said Associate Vice President for Facilities Steve Beffort.
Complete development plans for Mesa del Sol would have to be approved through normal planning and zoning channels in the City of Albuquerque and County of Bernalillo.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
The University of New Mexico School of Law could offer courses in Santa Fe as early as next summer as part of a pilot program.
Courses will be open to current law students as well as non-lawyers who are interested in legal education and hold at least a bachelor's degree. Continuing legal education (CLE) courses offerings will also increase.
Dean Suellyn Scarnecchia formed an ad-hoc committee to explore a law school presence in Santa Fe after receiving a request from a group of attorneys that included former governor Toney Anaya, president of Highlands University Board of Regents, Santa Fe attorney Michael Sutin, and retired attorney Fred Rowe, active in the Santa Fe community. Professor of Law Leo Romero chaired the committee.
“A demand for law courses seems to exist in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico, especially to serve the many civil servants working for state, county and local governments,” Scarnecchia said.
Santa Fe Community College may be willing to provide classroom space, she said.
For non-lawyers, a series of courses or curriculum will be developed pertaining to subjects such as public lands law, Indian law, art law or legal history.
Students currently enrolled on the Albuquerque main campus, New Mexico's only law school, could earn up to 15 credit hours in Santa Fe.
Expanding service to the state is a strategic plan goal, Scarnecchia said.
“A pilot program will test the demand and demonstrate our genuine interest in reaching out to the state,” she said. “Now that the faculty has approved the pilot, we still need to investigate the financial viability of the project before we move forward.”
First-year curriculum will be offered only on main campus. Courses taken for non-degree credit cannot be applied to the J.D. degree if the student is later admitted to the law school, in accordance with an American Bar Association requirement.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Centennial Science and Engineering Library has reopened access to level one after burst water pipes over the Christmas holiday caused serious damage. The reference collection, journals and undamaged maps are available, along with access to E-reserves, copiers and microform readers.
Librarians will assist with requests for interlibrary loans of books since the entire book collection has been placed in storage while repairs are completed on level two. For more information about how to access the library, call (505) 277-2003 or visit elibrary.unm.edu.
Damage repair for level two is underway, but it will be several weeks before repairs are completed and the book collection can be reshelved. Damage assessment is still in progress. Carpeting will be removed and some interior walls must be torn down and rebuilt. If repairs go smoothly, level two will reopened in April.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
Iraq veteran Shoshanna Johnson, the first black female prisoner of war, will be the guest speaker at the Black History Month Kickoff Brunch set for Saturday, Jan. 29, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the University of New Mexico in the Student Union Bldg. ballroom.
The event is sponsored by the UNM African American Studies Department. Tickets are $25. Call Letha Allen for reservations at 277-5644 by Jan. 26.
On March 31, 2003, during the United States military operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was in a convoy ambushed in the city of an-Nasiriyah. She received a bullet wound causing injuries to both legs. She and five other members of the 507 th Maintenance Company were captured and taken prisoners of war.
The ambush and its aftermath made world headlines. On April 16, the U.S. Marines rescued Johnson's company. Specialist Johnson retired from the Army on temporary disability honorable discharge on Dec. 12, 2003, with the distinct recognition of being the first female POW of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first black female POW in U.S. war history.
UNM will also honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Friday, Jan. 21 from noon to 1 p.m. in the UNM Alumni Chapel. A reception will follow at the African American Studies Department, Mesa Vista Hall, 4 th floor.
For more information, call Letha Allen, 277-5644.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
University Libraries will present a Faculty Acknowledgement Award to John Russell, professor, School of Engineering, Friday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. in the Willard Reading Room of Zimmerman Library. The ceremony will include a talk by Russell on “The Formula for Success: Unique Course Teaches Automotive Engineering and Life Skills.”
Russell’s varied background includes a 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force as the lead engineer on the development of the AC-130 gunship where he flew more than 50 combat missions in Southeast Asia.
He has spent time as an associate professor in the engineering department of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and was a team leader responsible for the beam control system of the Airborne Laser Laboratory – the first aircraft to successfully shoot down an incoming air-to-air missile using a high-energy laser.
Russell was the director of the Air Force High Energy Laser and Space Technology Directorates at the Air Force Research Laboratory on Kirtland Air Force Base when he retired from the military.
Russell came to the University of New Mexico in 1993. He has served as director of Research for the School of Engineering, associate dean and chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department. He currently teaches vibrations, controls and the Formula SAW Racecar Design, Build Test and Compete courses at UNM. Russell will have the car built by his students on display before and after the event.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the award ceremony.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
The Robert O. Anderson Schools of Management (ASM) at the University of New Mexico seeks nominations for outstanding alumni to be inducted into the Anderson Hall of Fame. In its 16th year, the Anderson Hall of Fame honors alumni whose distinguished careers serve as a model to the next generation of business leaders. More than 14,000 students have graduated from the Anderson Schools of Management and 45 of those graduates have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Every year ASM honors a select group of alumni whose commitment to continuing education and community service are matched by their commitment to professional success.
The criteria includes:
* Professional success: status in organization, level of responsibility, entrepreneurial success (if applicable), demonstrated impact on organizational growth, success resulting from professional activities.
* Contribution to the community: public service, involvement and leadership in community activities, involvement and leadership in professional organizations.
* Involvement/support for continuing education (including ASM/UNM)
1. Ongoing personal and professional development and advanced degrees.
2. Participation/support and commitment to lifelong learning opportunities for others.
Outstanding alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professions and have made significant contributions to their communities may be nominated. For the second year ASM will also recognize three outstanding young alumni. These are alumni who have distinguished themselves in the short time since graduating from the Anderson Schools and are the kind of individuals who may be future Hall of Fame inductees.
“For 34 years the Anderson Schools of Management have been dedicated to excellence in professional management education,” said Dean Chuck Crespy. “With the Hall of Fame we celebrate and honor those individuals who have dedicated their life’s work to making a difference in the firms in which they work; the communities in which they live; and the profession in which they have excelled.”
The deadline for receiving nominations for both the Hall of Fame and the Young Alumni award is Friday, Jan. 28. Awards will be presented at the 16th Annual Hall of Fame Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, April 28 at the Hyatt Regency. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
To nominate an outstanding Anderson alum, send their name, title, affiliation and address to: The Anderson Schools of Management Development Office, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC05 3090, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
Reservations are also currently being accepted for this year’s dinner. Corporate table sponsorships, which includes seating for 10, are $600. Individual tickets cost $75.
Nominations and reservations for the dinner can also be made by contacting Lisa McHale at (505) 277-0880 or via e-mail: mchale@mgt.unm.edu.
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The Anderson Schools of Management: dedicated to excellence in professional management education. At Anderson we are committed to: 1) shaping the intellect and character of the next generation of business leaders, 2) advancing the knowledge and practice of management, 3) promoting economic development and 4) building a vibrant intellectual community that serves the highest and best interests of all our stakeholders. For more information, please call the Development Office at (505) 277-6264 or visit: www.mgt.unm.edu.
Contacts: Contacts: Lisa McHale, (505) 277-0880; Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821
Serious violent offenders serving long sentences
The New Mexico Sentencing Commission has released its annual report to the State Legislature on the average length of prison sentences for serious violent offenders.
Under the Earned Meritorious Deduction/Truth in Sentencing law passed in 1999, serious violent offenders must serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. Above that threshold, offenders can earn sentence deductions for activities such as completing an educational, vocational, substance abuse or mental health program.
The report, authored by Paul Guerin, Ph.D., of the NMSC and University of New Mexico Institute for Social Research, shows that serious violent offenders released between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004 had served, on average, about 89 percent of their sentences. The law, as intended, keeps violent offenders in prison for longer periods.
Even with a flat crime rate, longer prison sentences compound prison population growth, the report shows. New Mexico prisons are operating at nearly 100 percent of capacity with more growth projected. The sentencing commission will work with the New Mexico Corrections Department to study the impact of Earned Meritorious Deduction on the prison population since 1999.
The commission has also published updated versions of its New Mexico Criminal Justice Resource Directory and New Mexico Juvenile Justice Program Inventory.
“These directories continue to be an invaluable resource for anyone working in the criminal or juvenile justice field, as well as to legislators and their constituents, who need ready access to criminal or juvenile justice agencies or other service providers,” said Joe Caldwell, commission chair.
The New Mexico Criminal Justice Resource Directory is a comprehensive catalog of local, state, tribal and federal criminal and juvenile justice contacts for New Mexico. Listings include agencies, programs and services in law enforcement, courts, corrections, human services, juvenile, research and other topical areas.
The New Mexico Juvenile Justice Program Inventory is a statewide catalog of programs available to juveniles needing services. Each listing includes information such as program name, contact information, description, ages served, capacity, funding, and Children, Youth ad Family Department (CYFD) contacts.
Commission reports, printed directories and information are available to the public at http://www.nmsc.state.nm.us . The Web site receives more than 50,000 hits per month from those in New Mexico government and private citizens.
The New Mexico Sentencing Commission consists of judges, cabinet members and other experts in the criminal justice field. The commission provides information, analysis, recommendations and assistance to the three branches of government and to interested citizens.
During the past twelve months, the commission, which includes the Sex Offender Management Board, has held more than 60 public meetings and has published numerous research reports on topics including sex offenders, DWI, methamphetamines and juvenile parole boards.
Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Pam Hurd-Knief, chief development officer for the School of Architecture and Planning since 1999, recently assumed presidency of the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. A member of the state’s largest and most active fundraising group for 11 years, Hurd-Knief has served as hospitality chair, newsletter chair, secretary, vice president for programs and as president elect.
She is one of 13 of the state’s AFP members to hold the CFRE certified fund raising executive certification and is in the process of completing the approval process for advanced certification.
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, 277-5920
The University of New Mexico Press recently moved to 1601 Randolph Rd. SE. The editorial, production, marketing and administrative departments moved from their previous location in the Lobo Center on Lomas.
The former UNM Press site, located between Belew’s Office Supply and UNM’s Speech and Hearing Sciences building, will be demolished to allow for construction of a two-story office building to consolidate university purchasing, payroll, human resources and accounting departments. Once the new building is built and occupied, plans call for UNM Press to return to campus, hopefully within a year.
UNM Press has been located in its Lobo Center space since 1990. The new
UNM Press location is in a well-lit, airy business complex, located two blocks north of the Albuquerque Sunport and two blocks west of Yale Boulevard. Its new offices will be closer to the press business, customer service and distribution center on Spirit Drive.
Technical Support Manager Mike Ritthaler was concerned about moving the Press’s fragile equipment: thirty computers, six printers, two copiers, and a fax machine. But the main apprehension was about networking connections in the new space.
For student employees, who comprise nearly half of UNM Press’s 27-person staff affected, the move has pros and cons. “I'm disappointed we have to move off-campus,” said Lisa Pacheco, editorial assistant and anthropology doctoral student. “Students won’t be able to get to and from classes as conveniently as we do now.” Other student employees concur.
Editorially, the most difficult part of the move will be re-training the press’s 20 freelance copyeditors, proofreaders and indexers of the new mailing address and pick-up location for manuscripts.
David Holtby, editor-in-chief and associate director, said, “These offices have served the press well in a period of growth and transition, but it’s time to make way for new construction at Lobo Center. UNM Press is committed to continuous improvement not only for ourselves but also for the UNM community as a whole. Our pending move is an opportunity to make changes that improve efficiency, communications and customer service.”
Holtby added, “Moving to new quarters permits us to step up to offices that match our national and international stature as a leading scholarly publisher.”
UNM Press Director Luther Wilson said, “The move has advantages and disadvantages, but overall I see the advantages outweighing the disadvantages. We will have more efficient workspace with private offices for all regular employees. There will be ample free parking for staff and visitors, and we will be much closer to our colleagues in accounting, customer service and warehousing.”
The move off-campus will spur new ways of commuting to and communicating
with the campus community. Wilson said, “Our student employees and our university press faculty committee members will find traveling to the new press offices more difficult and time-consuming. We will all have to make extra efforts to keep in touch with university faculty and staff, and with our many authors on campus.”
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, 277-5920
Amanda Sutton, 277-0655
Two burst water pipes over the holiday weekend washed ceiling tiles from the lower level and caused significant water damage at Centennial Library on the UNM main campus. Level 1 of the library will reopen in the next several days, but level 2 may remain closed for up to three months. In the meantime reference services can be provided by telephone at 277-4412 or by email at cselref@unm.edu
There was little damage to books and periodicals, but the closing of level 2 means there will be no access to any books in the sciences and engineering except through inter-library loan and document delivery. Library officials say the main problem is lack of shelf space to move 200,000 books to another area.
Periodicals will be available on level 1 and some maps from the Map and Geographic Information Center will be available. Members of the Association of Research Libraries and Greater Western Library Alliance have promised priority status for UNM researchers and students seeking materials.
Although the problem occurred while the university was closed for the holiday, an alert postdoctoral student researcher heard water falling in the library on the afternoon of Dec. 24 and called library director Johann van Reenen, who arrived to find ceiling tiles falling in level two and water on the floor of the circulation area. Plumbers quickly shut off the water, but the damage had been done.
Carpets and furnishing on level 2 have been damaged and will have to be repaired or replaced. Workers from the physical plant and outside contractors worked through the holidays to extract the water from the building and set up dehumidifiers.
Employees in the New Media and Extended Learning sections of Extended University who had been housed on level 2 of Centennial have been temporarily relocated in Woodward Hall until the damage is repaired. They are headquartered in Room 115. There will be no impact on classes or on Web CT. Director of New Media and Extended Learning, Debby Knotts can be reached at 277-9000 or at Debby@unm.edu
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
A tribal council member described the return of ancestral land to Cochiti Pueblo recently as part of a very emotional day.
University of New Mexico Regents President Jamie Koch appeared Dec. 15 before the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Council to formally commemorate UNM's return of a 220-acre part of Horn Mesa to the pueblo.
The mesa land includes the site of an historic Cochiti village sometimes known as "High Cochiti" and has major cultural significance for the tribe. Koch was asked to attend the council meeting so the tribe could express its appreciation for his efforts in securing the land for the Pueblo. The university regents approved the transfer last year as part of a deal that also involved the Bureau of Land Management.
Photo: Members of the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Council present UNM Board of Regents President Jamie Koch a ceremonial drum during an historic land transfer in December. Photo by Greg Johnston.
Following an hour-long presentation to the council in native language by Regis Pecos, Koch presented a plaque to Governor Sam Arquero. About 30 tribal council members passed the plaque around the room. The governor gave Koch a Cochiti hand-made drum.
Pecos said that nothing is of greater significance than aboriginal lands. “There are no words to express the emotion we all feel. Today is an historic day that we don’t take lightly,” he said. “This is a spiritual connection and is reconnecting to a place and time that is perpetual.”
Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816