Author: cnmchronicle

Turtles Day in the Sun

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Story, Photos and Video by

Mark Graven

Wildlife Correspondent

Ducks usually get top billing when it comes to news from the UNM Duck Pond, after all the pond is named for them.

But it is midway through June, and the hot days of summer are upon us.  Most of the hundreds of ducks that occupy the pond at the center of UNM’s campus are gone for vacation in the northern climes.  

The turtles are going nowhere fast, but are happy together on the rocks of the pond, which serve as podiums where they can bask in the glory of the New Mexican sunlight.  

The turtles take advantage of a large grouping of rocks at the west end of the pond to put their sunbathing talents on display.  But they also use a small grouping of rocks near the fountain at the east end of the pond.   

Occasionally, the turtles will go for dip in the water.  With the fountain and a waterfall near the southwest corner of the pond, the turtles have a stunning aquatic environment.  The turtles seem to enjoy swimming to cool down:  sun bathing can be tough work!
Now, please kick back and enjoy our photo display of the turtles today.

ATC GROUNDED IN LOW-ENERGY MODE

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

  • Front of ATC Building.
  • Another Plane parked behind fence at ATC.
  • Very few cars parked at ATC’s south parking lot.
  • No cars parked in the electric vehicle spots on the west side of campus.
  • Face Covering Reminder located outside the south entrance.
  • Sol is always sunny, even without playmates.

(slide show)


A photo tour of CNM’ Advanced Technology Center (ATC) shows the campus to be operating in a low-energy mode.

ATC, according to its website, is an 80,000 square foot facility, replete with state-of-the art classrooms and labs.  When operating at full throttle, ATC hosts loads of classes in the fields of:  Architectural Engineering;  Aviation Maintenance; Construction Management; Film Production; Surveying; Truck Driving; Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and more.  

In the late morning of Monday, June 7th, the ATC campus is quiet.   A couple of small planes parked on the east side of ATC, do not appear ready for take-off.   The south parking lot has only a few cars, while there are no vehicles in the “fuel efficient” and “low emission” parking slots on the west side.

Signs at the entry door on the south side indicate that face coverings are required for all persons entering the building, and that once inside, folks should maintain a distance of at least six feet apart.  

There are no people at the entryways, although one person is spotted at a distance, down a long concourse.   Signs indicate that at least two classes are meeting at ATC during Summer Session.

But Sol the Suncat seems a solitary figure as pictured on the wall near the north entrance.  Sol looks to be in a good mood–perhaps because there is nobody to yank his tail, or rattle his cage, so to speak, this fine sunny morning.

Equity Council SharePoint Site

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Story by Salvador Zambrano

Staff Reporter

The Equity Council, a group comprised of CNM staff and employees, has designed a SharePoint Site that will provide monthly updates to the CNM community, said Travis Thompson, a member of the Equity Council.

Each month the site will provide information on different topics of racism as well as definitions and writing from their members regarding racial problems. Other informational resources will be available through the site like videos and pieces of artistic expression to promote a greater awareness, he said.

“The goal of our site is to create a greater understanding around racial equity, diversity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, white privilege culture, as well as to build a culture of anti-racism within and around our communities,” he said.

The Council is currently seeking approval on different ways to spread their information, said Sonia Crawford, a member of the Equity Council. They intend to spread their information to the entire CNM community.

The site is currently available and can be viewed by the CNM community but has not yet been announced by the Equity Council.

The site was designed to be easy to access important information as to encourage people to come back to the site to gain future information on different topics, said Thompson.

“We want to give credit to the entire Equity Council for their effort in making this site possible”, said both Thompson and Crawford.

The Equity Council site can be found by searching for them through the MyCNM website or by clicking here. The site gives more information on their goals as well as who is a part of the Council.

All information provided on their site is also available in Spanish for any Spanish speaking readers who are interested in learning more about the Equity Council.

Montoya Goes Green and Greener

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Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

The Memorial Day thunderstorm may have poured approximately two inches of rain on parts of Albuquerque, according to the weatherman.  Along H Building at CNM’s Montoya Campus the influx of moisture is paying off big time in terms of extremely green grass for at least the first week of June.   North of Montoya, across the arroyo, at Oso Grande State Park, it is green, almost as far as the eye can see.

Catering/Brewery at RPM, Coming Right Up

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Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

  • Construction progress as of May 28th
  • Rendering of future catering/brewery
  • At work on the superstructure 5/25

As of May 28th, the foundation for the new catering/brewery facility at Robert P. Matteuchi Hall on CNM’s Main Campus has been laid, and the superstructure is being erected.  Brycon Construction of Albuquerque is the general contractor for the job.

Sounds of a Ball Game Reverberate

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Story and Photos

by Mark Graven

Staff Writing

Front of Isotopes Stadium

Walking through the parking lot of CNM’s Student Service Center on the sunny afternoon of May 25th, sounds of a ball game were reverberating.
Looking over the fence on the South side of CNM’ main campus, one could see fans in the stands at Isotopes Stadium.
An organ player was revving up the crowd with traditional baseball motivators like the “Charge” cheer; “Day-O, Day-O,” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
The Albuquerque Isotopes were hosting the Oklahoma City Dodgers. The score of the game ended up 12 to 0, in favor of the Dodgers, but sports were back, in an area where they had been dormant because of the covid pandemic.
So there appeared to be some joy in ABQ, even though the home team had struck out. Fans were in the stands, and cars were filling the parking lots. Baseball was bringing the New Mexico sports Mecca–which also includes University Stadium for UNM Lobo football and “The Pit” basketball arena– back to life.
Folks can checks the Isotopes website for the schedule of games and ticket prices.

The Cost of College Could Change

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Story by

Angela Harrington

Staff Reporter

United States President Joe Biden unveiled on April 28, 2021, the American Families Plan, which according to a Fact Sheet released on the same day by whitehouse.gov is a plan that is going to offer 2 years of community college to all Americans, including DREAMers.

It also proposes to provide an increase in the amount of individual Pell Grant awards by an additional $1,400 per student and allow DREAMers to access Pell Grants as well.

The Plan would also provide two years of free universal pre-K education, make child care more affordable, provide twelve weeks of paid family and medical leave to employees, as well as additional provisions. 

Through legislative processes, Congress will consider the proposal.

The House and Senate have to pass the bill before it can take effect.

If the bill does not receive bipartisan support, then it may onlybe able to pass through a reconciliation vote, which requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate. 

The money to finance this plan will come from taxes according to whitehouse.gov, but the majority of Americans will not feel the impact of those taxes.

The taxes will be taken from people who make $400,000 or more annually. 

 

To read more about the proposed plan check out this link:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/28/fact-sheet-the-american-families-plan/

To learn more about what a reconciliation vote is and how it works, check out this link: 

https://budget.house.gov/publications/fact-sheet/budget-reconciliation-basics

Coyote Incursion at Montoya

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Photos and Story by

Mark Graven

Staff Wildlife Reporter


While the pandemic has brought human activity at CNM’s Joseph M. Montoya Campus to a minimum, it appears that some coyotes are attempting to reclaim the domain for the Animal Kingdom. The coyotes have created a base in the drainage tunnels under G Building, according to CNM postings. Signs have been placed in a variety of places around Montoya campus warning humans of increased coyote sightings in the area. Nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountain in Northeast Albuquerque, the campus is fairly open to nature. Photos taken May 20th.

  • Coyote sighting sign over campus bench.
  • G Building
  • Coyotes in drainage tunnel sign
  • Coyote sighting sign on campus
  • Bookstore coyote warning

A Celebration with Sol

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Story and Photos by

Angela Harrington

Staff Reporter

CNM’s first ever post virtual graduation ceremony celebration was a success!
Graduating students and their friends and families lined up in their vehicles to make their way through the Smith-Brasher parking lot on Saturday May 1st, and patiently waited to be cheered and revered for the successes they have accomplished.
Sol the Suncat was there to make sure it was a lively time!
The route was lined with faculty and staff, clapping and waving, as each graduate rolled up and got out of their vehicle to be presented with a beautiful diploma cover and other school memorabilia.
As the traditional Pomp and Circumstance March played over the loud speaker, Dean of Students Chris Cavazos busily coordinated the announcement of each graduate’s name as they arrived.
CNM President Tracy Hartzler greeted the graduates and happily posed for quick photos with them as they made their way around the stage area, where CNM Board Members and additional faculty were waiting to congratulate them.
There was no shortage of enthusiasm or elation at the socially distanced and masked celebration.

See slide show below

  • Sol and graduates celebrating
  • CNM staff celebrating
  • Staff members ready to cheer on the graduates
  • Sol the Suncat
  • CNM Mascot Sol celebrating with graduates
  • CNM President Tracy Hartzler
  • Celebration stage area
  • CNM Board Members and faculty congratulating the graduates
  • Celebratory Cheer Squad