Category: Arts & Entertainment

ECOS working on Improving Remote Learning

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Story by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

CNM’s Executive Council of Students (ECOS) is working on a letter to CNM administration regarding concerns about remote learning– the primary method of instruction at CNM during  Covid times, although some “hands on” classes have returned to campus on a restricted basis.
ECOS Vice President Imane Bahji. said she would draft a letter taking up concerns and suggestions students might have about remote learning.  
ECOS board members said they would take up the draft letter at their next meeting which will be conducted remotely on October 9.  (See CNM ECOS web page for details.)

ECOS President Alex Crossland said the CNM administration might be under a false impression that the “school is doing well,” with remote learning. 

“It just feels like we are on a downward trend”

Said crossland

Bahji repeated a concern that she voiced at two previous ECOS meetings:  that remote classes lack a lecture component where students can interact with professors, ask questions, and clarify concepts.  Bahji says she fears that students feel frustrated when they don’t understand concepts, so that the may withdraw from classes, and ultimately drop out of school.
Bahji said many students are seeking “outside resources”  to acquire the understanding the expected to get from their CNM course. 
Cleopatra Romero, a CNM student, who wants to join the ECOS board,  ( See ECOS website for information on how to join ECOS.) said students could be more assertive in contacting their professor with questions.  

“We should encourage students to get in touch with their professor, if they are having trouble,”

SAid Romero


Kristopher Gaussoin, director of student life and discipline at CNM, the advisor for ECOS board, said students should be careful about using outside resources, such as UNM course materials, in that there may be legal implications– such as copyright laws involved.
Gaussoin said that ECOS has a “very powerful voice” in how the school is run,  and that the administration “cares about your opinion.” 
“You should use your power positively,” urged Gaussoin, noting that how ECOS packages its message could play an important part in getting results.
Meanwhile ECOS continues to seek input from students through its Suggestion Box on it CNM web page.  That input can be made anonymously, according to ECOS outreach officer, Colin Stapleton.
Crossland said that he was hopeful that ECOS could improve remote learning in the future, but also effect some change in the current fall semester.

HUMANOIDS GO TO MARKET

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter.

Human-like figures have been spotted in CNM’s newest building, The Market Place–even though, it is not yet open to the public.
Brycon Constuction said the figures are actually plastic mannequins, that will don appropriate CNM apparrell when the market place and it’s new book store do open.  
Racks for books have already been installed, and shoppers will be able to take a break at a Starbucks that is also expected to be housed in the building, Brycon workers said.
Although the building seems almost ready for use, CNM has not yet announced an opening date, although the builders have said the building would be done this fall.

Take A Virtual Balloon Ride with The ABQ Balloon Museum

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Story and photos by

Olawale Oluwakoya

Staff Reporter 

CNM students should participate in the Balloon museum virtual field trip because 

Anderson Abruzzo international Balloon Museum

it is fun, educative, informative and a great opportunity to acquire a wealth of knowledge without leaving their couch, said Balloon Museum’s Field Trip and Volunteer Coordinator Katie Farmin. 

The Virtual Field Trips will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 am, the lesson is approximately 40 minutes and will be a mix of PowerPoint, video, and some movement, she said. 

The field trip will cover the history of early ballooning, the anatomy of a balloon, the science behind balloon flight, and a short history of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, she said.

Photo Puzzle Exhibit at the Balloon Museum

“The available dates for the virtual field trips will be provided in the registration form (here). You will have a first and second choice, however, they are not guaranteed. If your choices are not available, you will be contacted to coordinate other possible choices,” she said. 

“Once you register, a confirmation email will be sent out with the date of the field trip. You have the choice of the museum sending a Zoom link, Google Meet link, or we can pop into your class if you have a recurring link with whatever platform you are using for your digital classroom,” she said.

Exhibition at the balloon Museum dedicated to Brave Airfare

After the field trip, another email will be sent out with additional material for students to reflect on what they learned, she said. 

If students have any more questions they can send an email kfarmin@cabq.gov or call (505) 768-6027, said Katie Farmin. 

ECOS Recruiting For Business and Fun

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Story By

Angelique Cox

The Executive Council of Students or ECOS is currently operational according to Colin Stapleton, an active council member, and will be holding game nights after their meetings, starting with our next two regular meetings on 6/26 and 7/10.

Currently, ECOS is operating via videoconferences due to COVID-19 and all students are welcome to attend, said Stapleton.

“The game nights are an open invitation for students to join us in the same Jitsi Meet chatroom, to hang out, and play online games together,” said Stapleton. “The intent is to provide a virtual space for students to get together and socialize.”

ECOS meetings are every other Friday during the summer from three to five, according to Stapleton.

“If students want to just join and chat, or ask ECOS questions, they are also welcome to do so,” said Stapleton. “ECOS is also recruiting new members.”

Those interested in participating or joining should email ecos@cnm.edu or stop by a virtual meeting, he said, encouraging non-members to attend.

Stapleton made a point of saying, “ECOS is a powerful tool for addressing problems that students have with CNM. If a student needs help with something or has an idea for student activities, they should contact us.”

It’s not all serious, however, with the game nights scheduled from 5-6pm, immediately following the ECOS meetings, he said.

“This is not intended to be a serious gaming group, the games are just a convenient activity,” said Stapleton.

“We’ll probably start with games on https://iogames.space/, which are free multiplayer games that can run in a web browser, but we’re open to suggestions, and will probably experiment with different types of games,” said Stapleton.

He said the goal is to find games that are free, and easily accessible.

“ECOS is primarily interested in encouraging student socialization, particularly between students who don’t attend classes together,” he said.

Despite the Odds, CNM Clubs Remain Open… Mostly

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Story by

Angelique Cox

Staff Reporter

According to Sonya Lara, Associate Director of Advisement and Counseling in Connect Services, the Black Student Union is also currently up and running.

Although it has been hard, Lara said that the Black Student Union meets weekly online via Zoom.

“We have felt a range of emotions, but mostly helpless because the online atmosphere is not supportive of our cultural gatherings,” said Lara. “We can’t throw in-person events, especially now with all that’s going on with Black Lives Matter.”

Despite this virtual hindrance, the club is working on a social media strategy in an attempt to connect with the community and continue recruiting new members, according to Lara.

“We are community focused, always trying to help and provide a safe space for minorities and allies,” said Lara. “We are a family.”

Lara wanted the CNM community to know that the Black Student Union is operational and promoting their events as well as sharing their culture in a positive way.

HackerSpace advisor Kerry Bruce has a similar statement, wanting CNM students to know that the HackerSpace Club is also still operating, if in a different capacity.

“We meet online in a Microsoft Team,” said Bruce. “Students who are interested can simply click the link and join the group.” [See Link here]

Meeting online in Teams has kept the club running, although they are missing the physical aspects of what they do, said Bruce.

Instructors continue to train students in sessions on a variety of topics and students meet to work on projects of interest either weekly or bi-weekly, he said.

“We are adding more activities weekly,” said Bruce. “Next week we will be announcing a Netflix Party Movie Night.”

HackerSpace is even helping to sponsor a few free, self-enroll classes during the summer in conjunction with Cisco, said Bruce, the topics including cybersecurity, Linux, python programming, Internet of things, and Entrepreneurship.

Bruce also added that HackerSpace is always recruiting new members and said that those interested can contact Kerry Bruce directly at kbruce@cnm.edu or Rob Garner at rgarner7@cnm.edu with questions or to get added to Microsoft Teams.

“This club is meant for anyone interested in development and innovation using computer technology,” said Bruce. “You don’t have to be a programmer … this club is meant to bring people of disparate skills together who want to participate in collaboratively building things, using computer technology, and competing in technology-based competitions.”

Not every CNM club remains open, but the following list gives a snapshot on the status of most clubs and organizations on campus that remain open in some capacity.

CNM Club Roster
Name of ClubAdvisorContactOperationalStatus of Meetings
American Sign LanguageJulie MasonJmason15@cnm.eduYesTemporarily meeting via email only
AnthropologySusan RothSruth2@cnm.eduyesPlease see CNM Anthropology Group Page on Facebook
Assoc. of General ContractorsBrian LoweryBlowery2@cnm.eduYesTemporarily not meeting
Black Student UnionSonya LaraSlara14@cnm.eduYesMeeting via Zoom, please email if interested
Camera ActingSean BoydSboyd14@cnm.edu Cstapleton3@cnm.eduYesTemporarily not meeting
Civic EngagementNicholas AragonNaragon8@cnm.eduYesTemporarily not meeting
CNM EntrepreneurshipLaura Shulshul@cnm.eduYesStudents should email if interested
HackerSpaceKerry Brucekbruce@cnm.eduYesInterested students can email or click this link
HorticulturePaul Polechlappolechla@cnm.eduYesStudents should email if interested
ImprovLeonard MadridLmadrid35@cnm.eduNoWon’t resume until campus reopens. Please email if interested
Open LanguageLara Jijon Katrina Respinljijon@cnm.edu kcrespin9@cnm.eduYesPlease email either Lara or Katrina if interested
Queer CatsBrian Rasmussenbrasmussen@cnm.eduYesPlease email if interested
RadiologyDeborah Singh NoNot
RotaractLinda Shullshul@cnm.eduNoWill resume in the Fall
Sociology and CriminologyMax FitzpatrickMfitzpatrick14@cnm.eduYesOnline meetings scheduled in June, please email if interested
USGBCMolly BlumhoeferMblumhoefer@cnm.eduNoCurrently not active

El Patio Working Through COVID 19

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Story by Mark Graven

The El Patio Restaurant, located at 142 Harvard Drive,SE between the CNM and UNM campuses normally gets a lot of student clientele, but not during these corona virus times, according to Steven Candelaria, the restaurant manager.

“We normally get quite a few (students), but now we hardly get any,” said Candelaria, 48, who has been working at El Patio for nine years.

The result is logical, as there are hardly any students on either campus, he noted.

El Patio has been a mainstay in the university community for over 4 decades, and is owned by David Sandoval, according to Candelaria.

Now, with the government restrictions in place, the restaurant is only open for takeout and curbside pickup, which has caused a 70 percent drop-off, both in traffic and revenues, Candelaria said.

The restaurant typically employs a staff of 15 to 20, but that has been cut down to five.

Candelaria said he finds himself running outside, (through El Patio’s blue picket fence), to make a curbside hand-off, which he does not mind.

Restaurant employees are paying attention to details for the benefit of the health and safety of the customers, based on information the media has provided, Candelaria said.

The city did not send out any written guidelines, although some from the Department of Health did call, Candelaria said, adding that city inspectors seem to be following their regular schedules of coming by every two to three months.

All restaurant employees wear masks and gloves throughout their shifts, Candelaria said.

When folks come in for take-out, they are advised to keep a six-foot spacing, if they haven’t picked up on the procedure, and the counter is wiped down with disinfectant after each customer leaves, he said.

A lot of incoming customers are wearing masks, he said.

People are ordering the same items from the menu, but they are skipping dessert, according to Candelaria, adding that the ever popular biscochitos and the flan “are out.”

“People are tightening their belts, and budgeting their money, I guess,” said Candelaria. “They want to get as much bang for their buck as they can.”

Candelaria said that he is thinking the restaurant and others like it, will start getting up to speed gradually in June, with a 20 to 30 percent occupancy limitation.

Candelaria said that he personally was laid off from a second restaurant job so that he just goes home after work, where he is likely to find his son playing video games.

One thing is still the same during these challenging times, according to Candelaria: “Green chili is still more popular than red.”

CNM Library puts “Kapow” into Women’s History Month

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Story and Photos by Mark Graven

Wonder Woman, helped inspire the selection of some Wonderous  Women—one representing each continent of the world, along with one from New Mexico, according to Marina Perry, a work-study majoring in Graphic Design and Marketing who helped research the selections, gaining energy from the DC Comics character, Wonder Woman.

Perry said she chose Wonder Woman as the icon for the exhibit because Wonder Woman represents strength and power and shows that women can accomplish huge tasks.

“I didn’t know a lot of these women, even though they did huge things,” said Perry. “To find out about them gave me confidence and personal empowerment.”

Research for the books in the exhibit was conducted by Psychology Major Sarah Tafoya, also a work study employee.

The exhibit, located inside to the left of the main entrance to the Student Resource Center, features comic book colors of yellow, red, and blue, and was a “team effort,” according to Library Specialist Tiffany Tomchak.

Tomchak said Wonder Woman was a good choice for the exhibit because she was able to infiltrate other media such as graphic novels and movies and other mass media to inspire a broad array of people.

“I think it looks great,” said Tomchak.  I am proud of the work of the students, and what we did as a team.”

The comic book colors are designed to give the exhibit “kapow” she said.

Participants in the Outreach Team that put together monthly exhibits at the Student Resource Center include:  Mary Bates-Ulibarri, Carlee Philpot, and Leda Rizzo, according to Tomchak.

Perry said that, having been born near Tokyo, she was particularly inspired by the Asian representative of the group Kimie Iwato, a CEO of a large beauty products company in Japan named Shiseido.

“She has worked very hard for equality in the workplace in Japan,” said Perry. “And also making the workplace safe for everybody,” she added.

Tomchak noted that one message of the exhibit is that women are not seeking to be superior to men, but are instead seeking gender equality. 

According to library staff, the women featured in the Women’s History Month exhibit include:

  • Representing North America, Susan B. Anthony, the social reformer, who helped win the battle for women’s suffrage in the U.S.
  • From South America, Eva Peron, the former First Lady of Argentina, who fought for women’s and workers’ rights, and to improve the lives of the poor.
  • From Europe, the Polish born, but German national, Rosa Luxemburg, who was a philosopher, economist, and anti-war activist that developed a humanist approach to Marxism.
  • From Africa, Miriam Makeba, a singer songwriter, actress, and U.N. goodwill ambassador, who fought against apartheid, in South Africa.
  • From Australia, Faith Thomas, the first woman to play international cricket professionally, and the first woman to be selected for any professional support in Australia.  She also became the first aboriginal nurse to run a hospital in the land down under.
  • Representing Antarctica, Mary Alice McWhinnie, a scientist who was the first woman authorized by the National Science Foundation to winter at McMurdo Station, and who made a total of 11 research trips to the Antarctic.
  • And representing New Mexico, Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve in Congress.  (2016).

The library website has on-line materials for those interested in further research on Women’s History Month, according to Tomchak.

Resources can be found here.