Category: Student News

No More Free Parking and Other Fees for Students

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

Students will now be charged five dollars per semester for a General Parking Permit, according to CNM officials. 

CNM President Tracy Hartzler partipated in a recent web meeting with the CNM Executive Council of Students (ECOS) and the end of free parking was one of the first things she was asked about.

ECOS President Alex Crossland said, the move away from free parking would be quite a shock to students, many of whom are economically strapped during the Covid pandemic.  

“The timing is lousy,” said Crossland.

President Hartzler said, the fees were necessary to pay for a security camera system being installed around the CNM campuses.  

 “The security system will make the campuses safer for students and faculty,” she said.

Hartzler noted that even though the parking fee will be increased the CNM governing board had decided against any increases to student tuition. 

Crossland asked if facility fees could be reduced in light of most campus buildings being closed during the Covid lockdown.

Hartzler response was that facility fees needed to be maintained so CNM could convert to the technology needed for remote learning.

Colin Stapleton, ECOS outreach officer, asked Harzler about CNM’s new policy of including textbook and supplies with in the registration fee of a class.  Stapleton said that the “including in” practice might preclude students from going for cheaper alternatives like buying used textbooks, or renting, or borrowing books or course materials. 

“I may be paying more for a book I don’t need,” Stapleton said.

Hartzler said putting a package of materials together to be included in a courses often results in saving money for the students, and that the choice of “included” is up to the instructors of the courses.  She said instructors have been encouraged to find open source materials on-line that reduce the costs to the students.  Hartzler said she would provide further information on the matter at a future meeting. 

ECOS Vice President Imane Bahji expressed concern that CNM was losing the sense of community that is emphasized in Community Collage with everything being converted to remote learning. 

ECOS members inquired whether the library and CAT Theater could be re-opened, and whether clubs could conduct meetings in a safe but outdoors setting.

Hartzler said that how far CNM can go in reopening the campus would depend largely on the orders of the governor, and the governor’s health advisors.  

She encouraged ECOS to let the administration know what the students would like to see open.

Hartzler said CNM would be going forward with a the plan for transferring from Blackboard to Bright Space as the formal communication system for remote learning.  

She said she expected Bright Space to be in place for the spring of 2021 semester.  

Corny Couple

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

A couple of Albuquerque teens are cooking up a story that may sound a little corny,  but could be a good recipe for success.
The 18-year olds–Donald Garule and Amaya Sirena–say they are planning to attend CNM this fall, and will both major in Psychology.
This summer the have been selling corn from a booth they often set up next to Sirena’s parents La Sirenita Authentic Mexican Food (truck).
The idea for the corn booth was Sirena’s parents, but the teens apparently saw it as an “amaizing” opportunity.  Now the teens are business partners in Casa de Maiz, in addition to being a couple, they say.


Garule and Sirena say they met at SageBrush Community Church, where they sing in the choir together.  Garule graduated from Freedom High School, while Sirena graduated from Atristo High School.
Now they sell tasty sweet  corn–on the cob, or in a bowl–spiced with plenty of butter, mayonaise and chili powder. 

The recipe has the approval of Sirena’s parents, who have been attracting folks who like Mexican food to their food truck which they set up near campus at Yale Boulevard and Lead Avenue Southeast on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
“Their corn is pretty good,”  commented Marco Sirena, Amaya’s father.   He and his wife, Anjelica, have been encouraging the teens.


 The Sirenas are finding that enough folks are attracted to their food and  that they may look at expanding into the restaurant business.
Garule  and Amaya Sirena say they are excited to be attending CNM this fall, even if their courses are on line.


“It’s as cheaper option ( than UNM) to start,” said Garule, and the class sizes are not as large.”
Sirena admitted to being “a little nervous” about entering college, because she is not sure what she wants to do.
However she says she may eventually go to UNM, and take up Neurology.
Garule says he is looking at a career  in social work. Garule and Sirena say that they plan to look into obtaining a food truck of their own to help pay for their educations–a plan that just might have more than a kernel of common sense.  Not too corny.

Welcome to Suncat Days

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Photos and Story By

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

Who are these masked women, welcoming Suncat students back to Main Campus for fall semester?  From left to right, they are Aline Gonzales,  CNM events manager; Amy Ballard, CNM dean of Applied Tecchnology;  and Liz Encinias, CNM Security officer.   The trio were among a group of CMM officials stationed in front of Ted Chavez Hall, on hand to direct students to class on Monday, August 31st, and  to inform students of campus protocols, and pass out hand sanitizer and maps. 

 According to Gonzales, the first two days of a semester are typically designated as Suncat Days.  Applied Technology is one subject area that has quite a few in-person classes on campus, while most classes remain on-line.


Meanwhile,  Carmen Avitia, a Math and Science tutor at CNM for the TRIO program, was available to answer students’  questions by W Building, in the courtyard in front of the Coal Avenue Theater.

The Beginning and End of N Building

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Pablo Botello Superintendent for Bradbury Stamm Stands Standing in front of N Building

Staff Writer
Demolition of N Building commenced on Monday, August 31, after several months of prepping the building for its demise.
Pablo Botello, a superintendent for Bradbury Stamm, the general contractor for the project said the demolition should take about 8 to 10 weeks to complete
Yesterday a huge excavating machine was working on knocking down a wall on the southwest corner of the building.
Botello said another excavator will soon be brought in , and that along with a bulldozer and a water truck, to keep the dust down, should be enough equipment to get the job done.  
The subcontractor performing the actual demolition work is Custom Grading of Albuquerque, Botello said.

Westside Campus Housing Nocturnal Flying Friends

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Story and Photo

By Mark Graven

Staff Reporter
The CNM Westside Campus owls have moved, but not too far, since they apparently like the neighborhood, according to CNM security officers.  
The owls had been making their home on the Michael J. Glennon Building  (MJG building), and a prominent yellow sign at the front of the building still announces  their nesting activity.


About two months ago, security officers noticed the mama owl sitting atop an egg on a second- story window sill of the MJG Building.  They blocked off the window, so people inside the building would not frighten the owls, according to CNM Security Officer Jamison Meyer.


Meyer said shortly after that officers found that the egg had rolled off the window sill, and was broken on the ground below.  
Now the owls hang out in the pine trees to the north of Westside II, Meyer said.  Meyer says he has only seen two owls, and he suspects they are mates.  They are both a little larger than a football in size, and have the feathers that look like horns on their heads.


Meyer said he regularly spots the owls on his patrols.  “I look at them; they look at me,”  said Meyer.  “No one says anything.”
Meyer said that sometimes the owls roost in the same tree:  sometimes they roost in separate trees.  Meyers said, with a laugh, that he suspects they seek separate trees after they have had an argument.


The famous owls of CNM Westside campus made local headlines four years ago, when their baby fell from his nest in a tree by the MJG Building.


Hawks Aloft, a non-profit group that takes care of all kinds of birds, arrived at campus to check the owlet and give it treatment, in addition to providing a new nest.
Gail Garber, executive director of Hawks Aloft, reached for comment by phone, said the owls would probably not try to build a new nest until next spring, but would stay in the area as long as the food supply is good.  Great Horned Owls range across North America, except where it is cold and treeless, she said. Owls, said Garber, are carnivores.  They will eat any kind of meat, including “your cat,” she said.


Meyer said he has seen bones from rabbits and squirrels around campus, so he suspects that the owls have enjoyed good hunting.
They become active after the sun goes down, swooping from trees and light poles as they stalk their prey,  Meyer said. 
Meyer said it relaxes him to spend time observing the owls.  “Especially in these times when so many bad things are happening . . . It’s good to get back to nature.”

ECOS Welcomes Three New Officers

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By Angelique M Cox, Staff Reporter

The Executive Council of Students, ECOS, is CNM’s student government group, explained Colin Stapleton, Outreach Officer.

“It’s members organize student activities, and work with the administration to improve the student experience at CNM,” said Stapleton.

The CNM Chronicle recently asked the new officers of ECOS, why the joined the Counsel, and to highlight of some of their goals as members, during their term.

Alex Crossland, the current President of ECOS, shared that he first started going to ECOS meetings because he was interested in student government and the activities they helped provide for CNM students.

“I decided to join because I wanted to be part of a team dedicated to helping students and clubs,” said Crossland.

As President, one of Crossland’s main goals is to ensure effective oversight of student money, to make sure that student difficulties are heard by the CNM Administration and help to support student activities, according to Crossland.

Imane Bahji is the current Vice President and she joined ECOS because she believes the student body must have a vocal and active student government on campus to represent their interests and needs, said Bahji.

“I want to be part of that process,” said Bahji.

Bajhi said that as an ECOS member, wants is to make sure that attending CNM is a memorable experience for all students.

She wants to assure students that their concerns are listened to and met with action in a timely fashion, said Bahji.

“I love to play team sports. It serves as a balance to schoolwork. Before COVID-19, you could find me playing pickup basketball or soccer games at UNM every week. With social distancing, I’ve had to make adjustments. So, for the past few months, I try to go for a quick run before most people are awake. But that is easier said than done,” said Bahji.

Colin Stapelton, the new Outreach Officer of ECOS, said he joined to be more involved.

“I initially joined ECOS to learn more about student activities at CNM. I believe that student clubs, and activities, are some of CNM’s most valuable community-building resources,” he said.

ECOS is heavily involved in organizing, and funding, these student activities, said Stapleton.

As an ECOS member, Stapleton said h e hopes to continue growing student activities.

“I also would like ECOS to become more active in student advocacy, particularly to help students who are struggling with administrative issues. I believe ECOS is currently an underutilized resource, and I would like to increase its effectiveness,” said Stapleton.

He is interested in acting, and film production, and CNM has a great community for both of these activities, Stapleton said.

Stapleton shared that he has been heavily involved with CNM’s Improv Club, and that he recently started the Camera Acting Club, to help students further participate in these activities outside of class.

Both clubs are currently inactive because of the shutdown, said Stapleton.

Stapleton added, “We hope to resume them as soon as possible.”  

ECOS is a great way to learn about the various student activities at CNM, and ECOS membership can be a resume item, for future employment, said Stapleton.

“ECOS is always recruiting new members,” said Stapleton.

The next two ECOS meetings are scheduled for Friday August 7 and August 21 at 2:00 pm, said Stapleton.

All meetings are currently being held online.  Students can access the ECOS meeting room typing the following URL directly into their browser: meet.jit.si/ecosmeeting, said Stapleton.

Growing Strength

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Story and Photos by Mark Graven 

Staff Reporter

Strolling around the CNM Main Campus, these days, you won’t run into many people, if any, with whom to talk.  But you might encounter a monumental 5-piece sculpture that will speak to you, if you are willing to listen.
The sculpture is entitled “Growing Strength,” by New Mexico artist Karen Yank.  It was installed on the west side of The Student Resource Center building in 2017, as part of the Art in Public Places program of the New Mexico Department of Cultual Affairs.  Yank won the commission in a competitive process.
Contacted at her home/studio in the Turquoise trail region between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Yank said, that the message the sculpture bears these days, is that CNM students–indeed all New Mexicans have the “strength and resilience” to make it  through the covid crisis, and be better people for it.   And maybe better artists.
“It will be interesting to see what art comes out of the pandemic,” said Yank.
Yank said she gains inspiration from the the natural beauty of New Mexico–from its smallest flowers to its imposing  mountains.  She finds time to seek out places to medidate on the beauty of people and places in her surroundings, and then reflect them in her art.  
A native of Wisconsin, she followed her father’s footsteps into art. He still lives and works 20 minutes outside of Milwaukee.  Yank’s path has taken her to such places as New Jersey, New York City, and Maine.
Like Georgia O’Keeffe before her, she has settled on New Mexico for its natural  beauty, and now considers herself “a southwestern artist.”  Yank says O’Keeffe’s landscapes have inspired some of her imagery in her sculptures, but that people help and inspire her in diverse ways. CNM welding students helped construct two stainless benches that are considered part of the sculpture.  
Stainless steel is also used in the larger pieces along with Cor-Ten, or weathered steel. Cor-Ten has the ability to rust, and then stop rusting, so that the rust patterns are frozen in time.  Thus the sculpture itself will  remain strong and resilient, according to Yank.
Yank said another New Mexico artist, Agnes Martin–who she met in Maine, and followed to New Mexico–has had a profound influence on her work.  Yank said she is writing a book about Martin, who passed in 2004. 
Yank said that, bottom line, she has gained insight and strength from both the people and places of New Mexico, and she wants to pass that message forward.

ESL Club Bridging the Great Divide

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Lima visiting the Grand Canyon this past winter. Photo provided, courtesy of the ESL Club

Story By Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

One doesn’t have to travel to the Grand Canyon to know that geography can divide people.  But people can be isolated and divided in many ways, Deborah Lima, president of CNM’s ESL (English as a Second Language) Club, has discovered- especially in a time of covid, and especially when you are from a foreign country.
The 16 members of the ESL come from around the globe, according to Lima, an ESL major from Brazil.  Some of the other countries represented include Russia, China, Saudia Arabia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Mexico, she said.  Some are young, some are older, including a 91-year old from Russia.
Normally, they would meet at locations on the Montoya campus, and go on outings to interesting spots in New Mexico, like the pueblos, Lima said in a telephone interview.
The club members would also enjoy the fellowship of potluck dinners, with some outstanding international cuisine. Currently,  however, the club, like many CNM clubs, operates, remotely–using Zoom and the telephone, Lima noted.
Lima said that she tries to talk to each member of her club by phone everyday.  
“We talk about cooking, gardening, our families, our dogs, our hobbies– anything but the pandemic” said Lima.
According to Laura Jijon, the group’s faculty advisor, club members help each other register for programs and activities, and with their studies.  They help  people get in touch with the right person to  solve a problem, she said.
It is all about staying in touch, staying connected, and helping each other, according to Lima, who applauds Jijon for setting a great example.
According to Jijon, the group members have collaborated on writing projects, including a children’s book, entitled “CNM Small World,” and a book of poetry, ” Immigrant Memories and Poetic Ambitions.”
The club is currently considering producing a book and/or an event about their experience during the pandemic, Jijon said.

CNM STEMulus Lies Dormant

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Photo & Story by Senior Reporter Chloe Fox

As photographed on July 2nd, the lights remain off inside the building, with no posted notice of a reopening date. 

The CNM STEMulus Center, located in the First Plaza Galleria at the corner of 2nd Street and Copper Avenue, remains dormant as a part of COVID-19 health and safety procedures. There has been no official announcement as to when the space will resume occupation as of July 14th, 2020.