The Show Must Go On…
Category: Student News
GETTING ‘ER DONE
Story and Photo by
Mark Graven
Staff Reporter
Construction workers, under general contractor Flintco, were working in near 100 degree heat on Monday, June 22nd, to put the finishing touches on the front entrance of the Max Salazar Hall renovation project. Peter Siebert, project manager for CNM said that the 5-story MS building is expected to get a permanent certificate of occupancy in early July, and be ready whenever students return to campus. MS features the latest in lighting and window technology, and should be provide comfortable learning and study spaces, in addition to innovative technology interphases. “It is amazing,” exclaimed Siebert.
ECOS Recruiting For Business and Fun
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
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 Club | Advisor | Contact | Operational | Status of Meetings |
| American Sign Language | Julie Mason | Jmason15@cnm.edu | Yes | Temporarily meeting via email only |
| Anthropology | Susan Roth | Sruth2@cnm.edu | yes | Please see CNM Anthropology Group Page on Facebook |
| Assoc. of General Contractors | Brian Lowery | Blowery2@cnm.edu | Yes | Temporarily not meeting |
| Black Student Union | Sonya Lara | Slara14@cnm.edu | Yes | Meeting via Zoom, please email if interested |
| Camera Acting | Sean Boyd | Sboyd14@cnm.edu Cstapleton3@cnm.edu | Yes | Temporarily not meeting |
| Civic Engagement | Nicholas Aragon | Naragon8@cnm.edu | Yes | Temporarily not meeting |
| CNM Entrepreneurship | Laura Shul | shul@cnm.edu | Yes | Students should email if interested |
| HackerSpace | Kerry Bruce | kbruce@cnm.edu | Yes | Interested students can email or click this link |
| Horticulture | Paul Polechla | ppolechla@cnm.edu | Yes | Students should email if interested |
| Improv | Leonard Madrid | Lmadrid35@cnm.edu | No | Won’t resume until campus reopens. Please email if interested |
| Open Language | Lara Jijon Katrina Respin | ljijon@cnm.edu kcrespin9@cnm.edu | Yes | Please email either Lara or Katrina if interested |
| Queer Cats | Brian Rasmussen | brasmussen@cnm.edu | Yes | Please email if interested |
| Radiology | Deborah Singh | No | Not | |
| Rotaract | Linda Shul | lshul@cnm.edu | No | Will resume in the Fall |
| Sociology and Criminology | Max Fitzpatrick | Mfitzpatrick14@cnm.edu | Yes | Online meetings scheduled in June, please email if interested |
| USGBC | Molly Blumhoefer | Mblumhoefer@cnm.edu | No | Currently not active |
CNM offers free Wi-Fi in campus parking lots
Story by Chloe Fox
Staff Reporter
CNM is offering free WiFi hotspots for students and the public to access from their cars, located within the parking lots of each campus, according to Krystal Loya, Technical Support Specialist at the ITS Service Desk.
According to Loya, maps highlighting the hotspots can be found on CNM’s website, at https://www.cnm.edu/covid-19/documents/wifi-campus-hotspots.pdf.
“It seems to work better in certain spots, if you’re on main campus, it’s going to work best for you in the Student Resource Center lot,” says Loya.
Loya says that the hotspots on campus are available until 10 pm, when security closes down campus for the evening. “Right now with security and everything that’s going on, there’s only certain times that they can access them [hotspots]. I believe it’s still until 10 at night, when security closes the gate,” says Loya.
Baker says if students find themselves unable to access a hotspot location, all they have to do in order to gain access is give security dispatch a phone call at (505) 224-3002.
“Since campus is technically open [until 10pm], all they have to do is call security and request that to be opened, and they can come in and use the hotspot,” says Baker.
When people come to campus to access these hotspots since they are in the parking lot there is no need to deal directly with security, all a student needs to do is drive in, park, log in and get to work.
Loya says that regardless of the semester or current health situtation, individuals will always be able to access free WiFi hotspots on campus. “As long as you’re on campus and the campus is deemed to be open, they [the hotspots] are always going to be available,” Loya says.
Main Campus
For best access to free Wi-Fi visitors should park anywhere on Southside of SRC in lots located between the PPD building and KC building.
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
Workforce Training Center
Due to the nature of the size of this campus there is Wi-Fi access on both sides of the building in the South West lot and North East lot closer to the building.
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo By Daniel Johnson)
South Valley Campus
Best signal is accessed from the parking lot that is on the east side of buildings SV-1 and SV-2 on the east side of campus.
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
Advanced Technology Center
Best signal here is located on the northwest corner of the building in the Visitors Lot located off of Alameda Blvd.
Rio Rancho Campus
Another single building campus so signal is ok in most lots but for best signal you should pull in to the dirt parking lot on east side of building.
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
(Photo by Daniel Johnson)
West Side Campus
Best signal is located in parking lot on north side of WS2 building. This lot is on the north east corner of the campus.
El Patio Working Through COVID 19
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 WORK-STUDY TRANSITION
Story by E.C. McRoy
Dr. Eugene Padilla, VP of Student Services, said that students will have the opportunity to continue with their jobs as work-studies by transitioning if they choose to the new Suncat Ambassador program.
An email sent out Tuesday indicated that all work-study positions would end May 8th, however, Padilla clarified the email by saying that jobs will be transferring to the Ambassador program.
“Students will have the option of changing jobs if they want to keep working, but we want to make that their choice,” said Padilla of the changes to work-study.
Those students who are already able to do their jobs remotely are exempt from the May 8th deadline, said Padilla.
According to Padilla, “As long as people have work to do, they’re good.”
Supervisors will be reaching out to their employees to let students know who is exempt, said Padilla.
While the email indicated that the available positions of the Suncat Ambassador program would be limited, Padilla said that CNM would open up as many positions as there was interest in the jobs.
The catch is that only currently employed students can take advantage of these new positions, said Padilla.
Those students which are interested but not current work studies may have some leeway and their applications may be considered, but only after all current work-study students have applied.
“Everybody who wants to be working, can still be working,” said Padilla.
Padilla said there will not be a delay or a gap in pay as this two week grace period between now and May 8th allows students to transition from their current positions to the new program.
When normal work-study positions will open up will depend on New Mexico’s governor, “We’re responding to conditions of the state, of the nation,” said Padilla. “What we’re doing is a response. If the state starts opening up, then we cane start having some employees come back.”
Students interested in the new Suncat Ambassador program should seek out additional information on it, but also be sure to check their email for updates, said Padilla.
Students concerned about financial strain during the coronavirus are encouraged to look at scholarships available through the CNM Foundation Scholarships, said Padilla.
“A lot of scholarships are out there, many available if the student is willing to write a personal statement and get a few references,” said Padilla. “Sometimes that’s all it takes. Some are more specific, but some are out there that students just don’t know about.”
Padilla recommends students look at the Rust Fund, an emergency fund which is available to students.
The CARES Act is newly available from the Department of Education, said Padilla, indicating that they are expecting a large number of applicants.
Padilla said applications are already starting to come in and are being reviewed; students will start being notified this week.
Approximately 7,000 students have been determined to be eligible and right now there is no cap for that aid, said Padilla.
The CARES Act is designed to go to those students with the highest need, so students need to have already filed a FAFSA and to be receiving aid to be considered.
Students who are approved for the funds and are set up for direct deposit already will receive funds directly in their bank account, while those not set up for direct deposit will be mailed a check, said Padilla.
Padilla said although most aid programs are determined by the cost of attendance, the CARES Act isn’t, and students may receive more despite aid they are already receiving.
“Our hope is that we can help as many people as possible,” said Padilla.
RESOURCES:
Suncat Ambassador: https://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid/student-employment/become-a-suncat-ambassador
CARES Act: https://www.cnm.edu/covid-19/student-resources/cares-act-funding-for-students-in-need
Rust Fund: https://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid/scholarships/rust-opportunity-assistance-fund
For more info on the Rust Fund click here.
CNM Foundation Scholarships: https://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid/scholarships/foundation-scholarships
CNM Embraces Virtual Graduation
Story by Staff Reporter Chloe Fox
CNM’s graduation for Spring 2020 has been moved to an online format, in the form of student slides, pre-recorded speeches, and ceremony, according to Student Services Events Manager Nicole Romero.
Romero said that graduates should have received their invitation in their CNM email to RSVP for virtual graduation, and they will be able to upload the photograph and a quote, up to 150 characters, that they would like to appear on their slide.
Each graduate will have their own customizable slide, which will be displayed when the graduation page is accessed according to Romero.
“The slides will have their pictures, their awards, such as Associate in Sociology, and whatever quote they have if they choose to have one on there, so it will be very personalized,” said Romero. “The graduate can click on just theirs, and it will announce their name and show their slide. Or, click on none of them, or all of them.”
Romero said that the graduation will have a welcome section, a national anthem singer, student speeches, as well as speeches from the president.
Romero said that these speeches will be in the form of linked videos embedded in the graduation website.
Romero said the conferring of the degree from the president of CNM, including the tradition of turning the tassels of graduation caps, will also be accessible.
“They’re still going to do it just because it’s a formal, traditional part of the ceremony, so the President will do hers, and if anybody of course has theirs and they want to do it then they can,” said Romero.
According to Romero, the link that graduates receive to the virtual graduation will be theirs to keep, share, and access even after graduation day.
Romero said that this way of doing graduation means a total start-to finish time of about 45 minutes.
The deadline for students to RSVP via the link in their email is April 24th, said Romero.
“It’s imperative our students get in and register, as soon as they can,” Romero said.
However, Romero said 2020 graduates are also welcome to participate in the next in-person graduation ceremony, slated for Spring 2021.
According to Romero, graduates are welcome to participate in either the virtual graduation this year or the in-person ceremony next year, but they can also participate in both.
Romero said students would just have to contact Student Services in the Fall 2020 semester in order to register for the Spring 2021 graduation.
Romero also said that even though students are not required to purchase a cap and gown for the ceremony, the CNM bookstore will have all of the typical memorabilia available for 2020 graduates so they can still have keepsakes.
“We acknowledge their hard work and we want to celebrate that, and I think as a college we are doing what we can to celebrate that,” said Romero of the 2020 graduates.
CNM typically gives out diploma covers at graduation, and Romero said the school is working to find a way to make those available for participants in the virtual graduation as well.
“We will make those available, but we are just not sure how yet,” said Romero. Romero said additional up to date information about the virtual graduation, along with the link to retrieve your invitation if you haven’t received one, is available at https://www.cnm.edu/depts/graduation/cnm-virtual-graduation
CNM’S MODIFIED OPERATIONS
Story by Angelique Cox
Eugene Padilla, VP of Student Services, said that CNM is open under modified operations, and students can access all services online by email or chat.
Padilla said, “We want to help students … We are here to meet the needs of the students and we are willing to work with whatever works for them.”
Angela Sims, Executive Director of Marketing said that students should be checking their email regularly for official communications from the school as this is how information is being given out.
Although text messages are being sent out to students as well, these messages will not have all the information, said Sims.
Everything that students need to know will be in their email, said Sims.
Sims stated, “There are a lot of unknowns and students have a lot of anxiety, not only about whether or not their classes will be going forward, and whether or not they will be able to meet their educational goals, but they are facing a lot of stress in their lives.”
CNM is following the safety guidelines that have been set out by the State of New Mexico, said Sims.
The goal is to keep students stay safe and to help them to carry on with their educational goals as much as possible, said Sims.
Naturally it’s frustrating for a lot of our students who are making good progress in their education, or who are close to graduating, said Sims.
It was just announced that summer classes are going to be held all online, and this is causing a lot of anxiety because a lot of students have classes that are going to be difficult to be done online and they may be cancelled, said Sims.
CNM is trying to keep as many classes for summer as it possibly can, unfortunately, there are certain classes that just can’t be taught online, said Sims.
It’s difficult to convert courses that have lab components and other requirements that need to be done in person, said Sims.
CNM is trying to convert as many classes as possible into an online format, but some like CDL classes can’t be done online, said Sims.
Students are being asked to not drop any classes right now and to hold tight until details are finalized on April 16, said Sims.
Students will receive an email notifying them if any classes have been canceled, otherwise they should expect their schedule to continue as normal, said Sims.
Students should know that resources are still available including admissions and registration, said Padilla.
Students can reach Admissions by emailing admissions@cnm.edu, or by calling (505) 224-3000, said Padilla.
If students need help around their application, staff are available to talk to them about it and help them get through this process said Padilla.
New students are still required to complete an online New Student Orientation and should speak with an academic advisor, said Padilla.
“It’s really important to make sure that people are talking to someone at the very beginning,” said Padilla.
All returning students can access Academic Advisement online through the Connect Services website cnm.edu to set up an online appointment or chat, said Padilla
There are people there that can help them figure out an alternate class, if their class is cancelled, what else should they take to stay on track, and those advisers, they can help them figure it out , said Sims.
Padilla said, “Financial aid is still available for both the summer and fall terms, and because tuition is so low, the Pell grant is usually enough to cover tuition, books, and a computer, without having to take out student loans.”
Padilla said, “One of our values of our college is being connected and understanding that we are not alone in this. We are here to help students in a really meaningful way.”
Message from CNM’s president:
RESOURCES
Students can be transferred to any of the following departments by calling (505) 224-3000, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admissions: admissions@cnm.edu
Academic Advisement: Connect@cnm.edu
Financial Aid Office: financialaid.cnm.edu
Technical Support: ITSsupport@cnm.edu
Peace and Justice
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.