The Voice of Central New Mexico College
Story and Photo by
Mark Graven
Staff Reporter
Maria Castro, a 2020 graduate of Rio Grande High School says she will be studying at CNM this fall to become a teacher. She is currently working at the La Michoacana de Paquime, 3900 Isleta Boulevard, Southwest. Castro sees herself as a middle school teacher, and will take her courses online, if that is what is required.
Story and photo by
Dshawal Oluwakoya
Staff Reporter
According to CNM bookstore staff Ann Heaton the main campus bookstore is active and open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm via the side window.
Even when the bookstore is not open, Heaton said bookstore staff is still active, working behind the scenes to get things done.
“Opening up the bookstore did mean we had to face a few challenges but nothing serious, everyone was excited and ready to go. We have also taken measures to ensure we follow the necessary social distancing guidelines as we require that all students and staff stand at least 6 feet apart in the queues, with their face masks on,” she said.
Heaton said that there are barriers in place between student and staff as well as protective gear made available for purchase for students without those items, all to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
”We do provide delivery services on most items ranging from 4 to 7 business days,” she said. “All you need is your student ID and an online payment method.”
However, for school supplies that were purchased along with course registration students will be required to go to the main campus library with their student ID, she said.
Heaton said that bookstore staff is trying to make the student experience of purchasing school supplies as pleasant as possible considering the on-going pandemic.
“We understand the challenges students face and we are always ready to help,” said Heaton.
Architecture student Brittney Nast said that getting school supplies was a little frustrating because she found it confusing and wasn’t sure if she was getting the right thing or what she needed.
Nast said that it depends on the time students go to the bookstore, that when she went on Wednesday there was a long line under the sun.
Remedying the mistake wasn’t difficult: “I ended up getting the wrong supplies and had to go back to get the right ones. The lady was nice. She asked for my student ID and course number, and even when I came back to return what I got she was really understanding about it,” said Nast.
Brandon Garcia, an architecture student, said that his experience was normal and that he had no problems.
“I went very early to get my supplies. I made sure to call ahead to inform them that I was coming on Tuesday,” he said. “I didn’t have a queue. I got there really early, no one else was there. The only thing I was worried about was parking.”
When Garcia arrived, the doors were closed and after he called again, staff informed him that he had to go to the window.
Professor David Miertschin with the CNM science department said that some of his students had to go to the bookstore to collect the necessary course materials for online learning.
“Some of the students don’t know what to do,” he said. “Some of them don’t have transportation, some are in another state.” Miertschin said that he feels that it is part of his job to help the students as much as possible and to inform them of what they need.
“My students know how to reach me quickly if they have any questions,” he said.
Story by E.C. McRoy
Managing Editor
CNM ranked first for online colleges according to Guide to Online Schools, a site that strives to be a comprehensive guide to schools and a resource for students to make the best decisions in regards to choosing a school, according to Adria Vaughn, a Guide to Online Schools representative.
“Guide to Online Schools has been publishing rankings of online colleges since 2009,” said Vaughn. “Our ranking system helps students better understand the return on investment of a specific degree option.”
Of course it’s also a tool for schools to leverage when looking for potential students, said Vaughn.
The schools considered for the ranking had to be offering at least one online associate degree program, according to Vaughn, meaning that there were a total of five community colleges in New Mexico that were included.
Each school considered was given a score that was calculated by retention or graduation rate, online enrollment percentage, and the number of online associate degrees offered, said Vaughn.
Although CNM has a higher tuition than some of the school on the list, said Vaughn, it is only supplemental information and is not used to consider the quality of the school.
“Graduation or retention rate was weighted highest to ensure that the rankings highlighted the schools whose students are most likely to earn a degree,” said Vaughn.
Financial aid and resources available at each school is not a factor when considering ranking, according to Vaughn.
Vaughn said that the rankings are meant to be a tool to help students find programs best designed to fit their educational goals and needs and that while “rankings may not directly impact how potential employers view individual resumes, we hope that the information provided will guide students to select a program that allows them to pursue their career goals”.
According to Vaughn, there is an overall ranking across the nation, but CNM unfortunately did not make that national ranking for 2020.
Guide to Online Schools is a resource for students and potential students, including tools beyond school rankings, said Vaughn.
These tools include rankings by degree levels and program titles, student reviews, and supplemental resources pertaining to online education, said Vaughn. Guide to Online Schools: https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/best-online-community-colleges/new-mexico
Photo by Mark Graven
Staff Reporter
Photo By Dshawal Oluwakoya
Staff Reporter
The sound of the birds chirping fills the air.
The trees spread their branches far and wide.
The trees can be contorted,
Bent in weird ways,
And they still are beautiful.
Nature is pleased.
Story by Mark Graven
Staff Reporter
Yes we do have an “N” Building on the CNM Main Campus as of Wednesday, June 24th. But after next week, it will be gone, according to Peter Siebert, a facilities project manager with CNM’s Physical Plant Department.
Workers were on site cleaning out classrooms this week. A special crew (Keers) is being utilized to handle the presence of asbestos and lead for the demolition, according to Siebert.
The asbestos and lead did not pose a threat to occupants during the building’s history, because hazardous materials were “encapsulated,” under tile, Siebert said.
Art classrooms, among those being cleared this week, will be moved temporarily to the newly renovated Max Salazar Hall, until they find a permanent place in Ken Chappy Hall, after it is renovated, Siebert said.
The N site will become part of the North Parking Lot, and also provide space for an enlargement of the plaza in front of Louis E. Saavedra Administration Building, according to Siebert.
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.
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.
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 |