Category: Front Page News

Peace and Justice

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By Staff Reporter

Mark Graven

The Albuquerque Peace and Justice Center may be closed today because of the corona virus situation, but the struggle for peace and justice continues, according to Jim Harvey, the PJ   Center’s director.          

Located just a few blocks from the CNM campus at 202 Harvard Street, Southeast, the center is conveniently located for CNM Students who want to engage in the struggle. The PJ Center is temporarily closed, however, until April 30th, in keeping with the recommendations of city and state officials, according to Harvey, who is just a few months into his job.

The PJ center generally provides meeting space and resources for some 75 “PAJOLA” (Peace and Justice Organizations Linking Arms) members. A full list of the PJ Center’s members is available on its website—abqpeaceandjustice.org

“Our PAJOLA members are scrambling to keep things going by meeting via Zoom, or Skype,” said Harvey.  “We also have our electronic newsletters, which people can access on our website.”

Meanwhile, one PAJOLA group—Good Food Distribution is keeping a decade-old tradition of distributing food to folks in need, in the PJ Center’s parking lot. Distribution is set for Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., according to Molly Wilkie, a “point-person” for the group. 

Wilkie said in a phone interview  that Good Food is getting   donations by such stores as Costco and Whole Foods. She said volunteers distributing the food would be wearing masks and gloves, and practicing social distancing.

Harvey said that because of the role Peace and Justice plays in the community, and the clientele it serves, his inclination was to stay open as long as possible. At first city officials agreed. But as the pandemic seemed to be growing more serious, the position of city officials changed, and that the center is cooperating.

Harvey,75, has been committed justice movement for the long haul. A Chicago native, he joined the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee at the age of 15. He got to meet and or work with such civil rights luminaries as

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bayard Rustin, Malcom X, and John Lewis (former head of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and now a U. S. Congressman from Georgia)

Harvey said he appreciated Dr. King’s devotion to non-violence.

“I lean to non-violence, always,” said Harvey.  “But you also have to defend yourself against violence.  Laying down your life, without defending yourself, is not where it’s at.” 

He said that his personal philosophy was a bit of Dr. King and a bit of Malcom X.  He said that he thought Malcolm X was wrongly perceived  as a proponent of violence, when he was actually advocating a right to self defense, which made him a proponent  of justice. 

‘’We want peace, Harvey noted, ”but justice comes first.”

On the night Dr. Was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee ( April 4, 1968), Harvey said that he and some friends were visiting jass musician and composer, Alice Coltrane, the widow of Jazz great John Coltrane, in New York City. On a taxi ride that got him only part-way home, he could see that Harlem was already ablaze at the news of the assassination .

King’s death marked a new phase in the civil rights movement, according to Harvey.  It went from securing basic rights for blacks in the South to addressing economic injustices in the North.

Harvey said he views Bayard Rustin, a close advisor to Dr.King as a key planner of the movement.  He was a very competent strategist,” said Harvey. 

Both Dr King and Malcolm X took a big-picture view of civil rights, according to Harvey.  By the time he was killed, Dr. King had become a major critic of the Vietnam War, and was addressing the plight of the Vietnamese people. Malcom X’s work and travels opened his eyes to various types of oppression around the globe, according to Harvey.

Harvey said that at this time, he is concerned about racist attacks on Asians, because the corona virus is said to have originated in China.

“I am concerned that people of Asian descent are being targeted, and we have to speak out for them,” said Harvey.

CNM Students React to Transition to Online Learning

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Story by

Staff Reporters Chloe Fox and Olawale Oluwakoya

Photo illustrations by Olawale Oluwakoya

Cameroonian student Pul Gual said he perfectly understood the decision made by the school to suspend all in-person classes.

Switching to an online only format for the rest of the semester makes sense, he said

“I think it is the right decision to help slow down the spread of the virus,” said Gual.

Environmental planning and design student Sonia Cabrera agreed with the decision to convert all classes to an online only format.

“At first I thought it was pre-mature and reactionary, but with how quickly the virus spreads, I think they made the right choice,” said Cabrera.

Alexis Botello full-time radiologic technology major said the most difficult thing about working from home is “Just all the distractions mostly. I feel like it’s harder to stay focused and get everything done if you’re not in the right environment.”

“I have to be more responsible and dedicate more time from my home life that I’m not used to doing,” she said.

Having to be more responsible and trying to dedicate more time while at home is something that takes some getting used to, she said.

Other students described difficulties in the transition to online classes, like Gisselle Rascon, who said “It makes it more difficult for me to keep up. So many things are being switched up and it’s difficult to know what’s going on in each class.”

Ysabel Solis, a part-time cosmetology student said it can feel like work isn’t getting done because it’s easier to ignore stuff online and it could result in more students failing.

Cortez Martinez, a full-time liberal arts major said, all of his teachers have reached out and been extremely helpful in this process of switching the format to online.

Cortez also said that the transition has been made easier by Blackboard, saying it is “definitely a big help for the time being.”

Additional up to date information regarding COVID-19 and CNM can be found at www.cnm.edu/covid-19.

COVID-19: WHAT IS A PANDEMIC?

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Story by E.C. McRoy

Dr. Tracie Collins, UNM’s Dean of the College of Population Health, said that a pandemic affects the population in a global way, meaning that everyone around the world is engaging to control the spread of COVID-19.

The globalization of this disease is an “opportunity for people to work together” in terms of governmental cooperation, and countries need to be sharing data and information in an effort to understand what’s happening in other areas.

“[Cooperation is important] especially since we’re in the initiation phase, not the acceleration phase for this disease,” said Collins.

Dr. Collins said that the classification of pandemic does not change the way the government operates, however, it means that communities need more support from the government.

“We need more support … from the administration to help on a state-wide level and to help the governors and then the governors helping the mayors,” said Collins. “Everyone needs to work together.”

It is important to be aware of the potential risks for smaller and rural communities, because they may not have access to the same resources and they may not be receiving the same messages as those located in the larger cities.

“We need to make sure we’re reaching out to rural communities, smaller communities, making sure that everyone understands the potential threat of this infection,” said Dr. Collins.

Dr. Collins said that while COVID-19 severely impacts the elderly, young people are not immune and can still become infected.

There is the potential for complications in those individuals with compromised immune systems, those with chronic conditions or respiratory illnesses.

“Everyone can get infected,” said Dr. Collins. “Even if a young person has COVID-19, but no symptoms, they could spread it to someone else. … Therefore, everyone needs to take this seriously.”

Dr. Collins said that people should be staying at home unless absolutely necessary, like buying groceries.

When individuals must interact in a public environment, people are told to keep physical distance between themselves and others, a recommended six feet at least.

Everyone should be washing their hands as frequently as possible as well as wiping down frequently touched surfaces with at least 70% alcohol content or Lysol, said Collins.

“[We should be] trying to remain positive as we all contribute to being a source of the solution, not the problem,” said Dr. Collins.

CNM Global Education Showing New Mexico to the World

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Story & Photo illustrations by Staff Reporter Olawale Oluwakoya

The global education at CNM is an organization that envisions and projects the best possible experience for foreign student during their time in America, said Joe Leetsma the Global Education Program Coordinator.

With a team consisting of specialized designated school officials including Director Ari Rosner-Salazar, International Student Officer Diana Matier and Leetsma, their goal is to bring diversity and internalization to the CNM campus, he said.

Mechanical engineering student Ahmed Saoudi, praised the organization, claiming international students at CNM are treated to weekly outings that familiarize them with the city of Albuquerque.

Global education is an important organization at CNM that prides itself on aiding international students to succeed in the US, while also providing the opportunity for Americans to study abroad, said Rosner-Salazar

“When the organization started there was an assumption that there would be a lot of students, the initial goal set in 2015 for our organization was a total of 130 international students and right now we have 32 students,” he said.

 CNM global education had never faced any major problems dealing with the federal government, however, around 10 to 30 percent of prospective students have their visa denied “every school has that issue”, the global ed. also faces stiff competition from other countries like Canada that provide a path to citizenship, he said.

Diana Matier claimed global ed uses allocated funds on recruitment trips to several countries every year, to educate other countries on the how a community college works.

“We want to help students interact with others, learn about different cultures and feel at home here in the beautiful city of Albuquerque,” she said.

Since the organization started in 2015, it has enrolled fifty-nine students from twenty-nine different countries from all over the world the group works with government sponsored Travel U.S.A, but Matier emphasized that it is “not a direct partnership”.

“I love my role in this organization, I oversee the intensive English language planning events and general finances of the organization, I rely on students’ feedback and places that are exclusive only to Albuquerque when planning events for the international students,” said Joe Leetsma.

If you are interested in the global education program you can send an email to globaleducation@cnm.edu, if you need more information visit the web page at www.cnm.edu/department/global-education.

“We are always excited for new students and we are always looking to welcome new students” said Diana matier.

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.

Student Employees Report to Work

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Story by Angelique Cox

Ryan Agosto-Hayes from CNM’s Financial Aid Office has confirmed that CNM is open, and that student employees should report to work normally, unless they are notified differently by their department.

Financial Aid Tech Joseph E Ryan, added that “CNM understands that some student employees might not be able to work due to the impact of COVID-19 on their lives.”

He asked that students be assured, that if they are unable to come to work, due to COVID-19 related life disruptions, such as lack of childcare, etc., they can still be paid for their regularly scheduled hours. 

According to Ryan, “This will be in effect while CNM is in its modified mode of college operations (Monday, March 16, through Sunday, April 5).” 

If a department chooses to send student employees home, and CNM is not closed, they will not be paid for missed hours.

If CNM is closed, students may claim hours on their time sheet that matches their normal schedule, up to 20 hours per week, for the duration of the closure. 

Hiring will be frozen in the event of a closure.

If new student employees have a start date before the closure, they may claim hours as well.

If a new hire is still pending, he/she will be frozen until the campus returns from the closure.

CNM’s COVID-19 Contingency Plan

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Story by E.C. McRoy

UPDATE: As of Monday March 16th campuses are not fully closed but face to face classes have been suspended until further notice. Classes will be conducted in an online format by faculty to ensure spring semester continues.

This evening, March 13th, the CNM management team has informed students, faculty, and staff that CNM campuses will be closed for the next three weeks with a planned reopening on Monday, April 6th in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to cancel any meetings in person that are not critical and can otherwise be conducted virtually.

The closing of CNM’s campuses does not mean that students will not graduate nor does it mean that students will no longer have classes, however, students should expect a modified format to those classes.

For those classes which are on-campus, many will adopt an alternative remote learning format on a class by class basis.

Students will be contacted by their instructors the week of March 16th on how they will be proceeding; students should check their CNM emails regularly for updates.

Classes which already utilize online learning will proceed as normal unless otherwise indicated by CNM officials or professors.

Despite being closed, certain aspects of CNM shall remain open, but they will be keeping a suitable distance of six feet from others and taking extra preventative precautions to ensure the virus does not spread.

It is CNM’s goal to continue providing instruction and help to complete the Spring Term as planned despite the school closure.

This includes not only providing online instruction where available and resources despite the closure, but also in ensuring that employees and student employees will continue to be paid during the three-week closure of CNM.

CNM plans on a deep cleaning of all CNM locations in an effort to deal with the coronavirus.

Any individual who has symptoms of the coronavirus should call the New Mexico Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline at 855-600-3453.

The goal of CNM’s efforts is to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and to keep students and staff safe.

The CNM management team will continue to keep students and faculty informed as COVID-19 develops and will keep working as quickly as possible to address concerns surrounding the virus and its impact on CNM.

Links & Resources:

CNM Coronavirus Updates: https://www.cnm.edu/covid-19

New Mexico Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline: 855-600-3453

Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

New Mexico Department of Health: http://cv.nmhealth.org/

Community Resource List

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Food Resources

Child Care Resources

Household Resources

  • Freecycle
    • Description: Free site where people post items available or items wanted. Founded in an attempt to keep unwanted items from ending up in the landfills. 
  • Heading Home
    • Description: Finds permanent, affordable housing solutions for medically vulnerable people who are chronically homeless. Distributes furniture and household items (no TVs, computers, or large appliances) to people moving into housing. 
    • Phone: (505) 344-2323
  • WIN Ministries Inc. (Women in Need)
    • Description: Furniture, household items, clothing for single mothers and their children.
    • Phone: (505) 823-9887

MAYOR TIM KELLER ON THE CORONAVIRUS

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Story by E.C. McRoy

COVID-19 commonly known as the coronavirus has arrived in New Mexico, but Mayor Tim Keller said that the city is ready and has been preparing for the arrival of the virus for several weeks.

Mayor Keller said that it is the city’s responsibility “to answer this call to action by continuing our operations that the public relies on every day.”

Keller said that those City facilities that are frequented by the public are scheduled for regular and additional cleanings.

Currently, public services and offices are running normally; the City will update the public with developments moving forward, said Keller.

Albuquerque will be following the same guidelines as the NCAA in regards to athletic events and public events will be reviewed to determine if postponement or cancellation will be necessary, according to Keller.

The City has activated the City Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center as a means of handling the response to the virus, said Keller.

Public safety is a priority for the City, said Keller, and public safety services and first responders are prepared to take care of the local response.

“[Albuquerque is] participating in national networks of emergency medical providers … to share information, expertise, and knowledge,” said Keller.

Keller said that the City is banning out of state travel for employees when it is unnecessary and those who are able are encouraged to telecommute.

COVID-19 is spread person-to-person via coughs or sneezes and has similar outward symptoms to the flu including fever, coughing, and respiratory problems, said Keller.

“It is critical that anyone experiencing symptoms [of COVID-19] not go straight to doctors or hospitals,” said Keller as this could compromise medical resources.

Keller also stated that 911 continues to be an emergency number and those with non-emergencies who are experiencing symptoms should call the New Mexico Department of Health at 855-600-3453.

The public is encouraged to stay home if sick, avoid large events, and for individuals to their hands, said Keller, but is important to be reasonable.

Hoarding supplies such as soap, food, and other basic goods is “inappropriate and detrimental” to handling the crisis, said Keller.

“Stigma and xenophobia will drive suspected cases underground and aid the further spread of the virus,” said Keller. “Coronavirus does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, or any other demographic factors, and neither should we.”

Keller said that we should “show compassion and support” instead of discrimination.

Coronavirus FAQs

“A WOMAN CAN WIN, SO SAY THE STUDENTS”

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Story and Pictures by E.C. McRoy

A survey of several CNM students suggest that the community supports the idea of a woman becoming president, though whether or not an election will put a woman in office is uncertain.

CNM freshman student Kyra Martinez said, “a lot of women can lead a country.”

Kyra Martinez CNM Freshmen

Martinez said that it takes a specific type of person to run a country, a person like Bernie Sanders as opposed to Hillary Clinton who took the popular vote last election.

Martinez said that a woman’s ability to run a country comes from her ability to “stop thinking about a business and start thinking about the welfare of its people” stating that if she doesn’t “you can’t run jackshit.”

A president shouldn’t think it’s all about money, according to Martinez, and that a woman cannot expect to win if she addresses the presidency like a business.

Martinez said on Clinton, “Yes, a woman can run a country, but not when you’re a social justice person who doesn’t have the right idea on how to run a country.”

Women may be more inclined to run for Congress, rather than the presidency, which may impact why a woman is not president, says Martinez, citing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“So yeah I think a woman can run a country but you gotta make sure she’s not a socialist idiot,” said Martinez.

Work-study student Gabriel Providenti said that people can support a socialism that would improve lives and that the US should consider taking cues from other countries that have women running them.

Providenti said that our country “is kind of stuck in the old ways of thinking. We have too many old white men running it.”

Evelyn Nevarez Munoz, a secondary education major, said that that there is a “slight chance” that a woman could win the presidency, however, there is a prevailing idea that men are stronger leaders than women.

Gabriel Providenti, CNM Work-study student

“But I think we’re growing as a society, definitely,” she added, saying that it depends on hard work and determination to represent the country that is the real deciding factor.

When asked if Munoz would vote for a woman even if she thought a woman could not win, she said, “Yes, I would. Definitely. Yeah, there’s no difference between what a man and a woman can do. Their goals and ideas are what matter for the country at the end of the day.”

Although Munoz said that it seemed that women would be more supportive of a woman president, she admitted, “everyone has different thoughts regardless of what gender they are.”

Discrimination is a likely culprit of a woman staying out of office and men may not be as aware of that discrimination as women, said Munoz.

Munoz went on to say that men are less likely to understand discrimination against women or minimalize it because “they don’t experience it. They’re very ignorant towards it.”

Integrated studies major Pablo said that people should be open to new ideas, not just falling into the familiar, old ways.

Duenas said that generational differences could impact an election, because of differing beliefs, including gender stereotypes.

“I feel like now is a good time [for women to strive for powerful positions] … generations have changed,” said Duenas.

Duenas said that his long-time girlfriend is involved in women’s rights activism and that has encouraged him to “strongly believe that any woman if they put their mind to it can do anything a man can.”

Duenas continued by saying that a woman could win if everyone were to vote.

“There’s a lot more of women politicians, I feel like gender shouldn’t be holding someone back from what they want to pursue,” said Duenas.