Pre-Recorded Graduation Ceremony – Take Two

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Story by Angela Harrington

Photos by CNM Chronicle

Staff Reporter

This year’s CNM graduation ceremony, scheduled for May 1st at 12 noon, will be virtual again, according to CNM Dean of Students, Chris Cavazos.

“A lot of factors played into the decision to go virtual” said Cavazos.

Cavazos said that the decision to hold a virtual ceremony had to be made in advance due to the need to procure vendors and the venue.

He said that normally they use Tingley Coliseum or Expo New Mexico to hold in-person ceremonies, but due to the pandemic these venues were not an option.

“Obviously we didn’t expect to be doing another virtual ceremony a year later. Last year was kind of a spur of the moment, let’s put something together and go for it [situation]” he said.

Due to timelines and the need for planning, the decision to remain virtual was made in late February, and confirmed in the middle of March, according to Cavazos.

“We are aware of other schools, especially APS, who are holding in-person ceremonies; but we had already at that point decided to do virtual for planning purposes” he said.

There is still some chance for an in-person drive-through recognition celebration, on the same day as the virtual ceremony, said Cavazos.

The proposed celebration may consist of a drive-through diploma pick-up in front of the Student Services Center, according to Cavazos.

He said, “The celebration that we’re hoping to plan is going to be more about fun and recognition. Kind of like when you walk out of the ceremony and you start cheering and clapping. That’s what the celebration piece will be.”

It may be a chance for graduating students to put on the cap and gown, if they choose to, and celebrate at a distance, according to Cavazos.

He said that this has not been fully approved yet but that he hopes to have a decision and final details pertaining to this in the next week or so.

Cavazos said, “Cap and gown are not required for the virtual ceremony. However, graduation items are available to purchase through Jostens.”

What is for certain though, is that the virtual graduation ceremony will be available to family and friends from anywhere in the world, by attending online, according to Cavazos.

“There are some pluses, some positives, to a virtual ceremony” Cavazos said.

Cavazos encourages graduates to participate in the virtual ceremony. If a student believes that they are eligible to participate, but they have not received an email with instructions, please contact the Student Activities office or email graduationceremony@cnm.edu.

According to Cavazos there are some deadlines for signing up. To have your name appear in the program, you must sign up by April 9th. To be part of the recording and have your name read out loud, the deadline is April 16th.

“I would definitely encourage participation, although it’s not as ideal as an in-person ceremony, such as previous graduates and future graduates will be able to experience” said Cavazos.

Students have earned the opportunity to participate in a ceremony and it’s their day, he said.

“Everyone is going to remember this time forever. So why not say, I graduated during a pandemic? That makes it an even bigger accomplishment, if you ask me” Cavazos said.

He said that the school wants the students to be recognized for their accomplishments.

“CNM is doing the best we can with what’s available now and what we’re allowed, to make it a memorable day” stated Cavazos.

Additional information about the proposed accompanying drive-through celebration will be made available as soon as the decision is finalized, said Cavazos.

He said, “For all our students, graduating or not, just to be successful in their education during this time of crisis, is really something to recognize and be proud of.” The Chronicle will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Dean Urges ECOS to Advertise Stipend for Serving on Board.

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Story by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer


CMN Dean of Students Chris Cavazos says that the Executive Council of Students should feel free to advertise that a stipend is available to students who serve on the ECOS board. 

ECOS members met with Cavazos at its regular meeting of March 26th to discuss a range of topics, including how to increase student participation in ECOS, which is charged with parcelling out funding for a host of student activities with a fund that comes out of registration fees.

Cavazos recommended that ECOS frame the advertisement appropriately, noting that a stipend, like a scholarship, could be used by students “to help pay for their education.”  

ECOS is mandated by its constitution to meet with the Dean of Students, when its membership falls below five students.
Currently, the ECOS Board has three members, as it operates in an “emergency” mode:  Alex Crossland, president, Imane Bahji, vice president, and Colin Stspleton, outreach officer.

The three board members are in line to earn a stipend of up to $1,000 dollars, for the fiscal year, through regular participation in ECOS meetings and activities.  
Cavazos lauded the board for its efforts to improve remote learning at CNM, noting they had, among other things, raised student concerns with President Tracey Hartzler; met with the Faculty Senate; and fashioned a plan, in conjunction with Dean Phil Lister of the School of Math, Science, and Engineering  to improve faculty/student interaction within science and math courses.

“ECOS has been very active,” said Cavazos.  “You have been noticeably active, and we want to keep it going.”

ECOS members had been reluctant to emphasize the monetary aspects of board service over concern that students might join for the wrong reasons.  

But board members were ready to proceed with an advertising program, after Dean Cavazos made his point that the stipends serve an educational purpose.

Cupola At Ken Chappy

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Photo by Mark Graven

Staff Writer

Popping up from the top of Ken Chappy Hall on Monday, March 29th, is a brand new cupola, covering the area where an open courtyard used to be.  Workers at the site said the cupola will be finished with glass windows, which will allow plenty of natural light for an art classroom planned for the space, according to CNM officials.  Franken Construction of Albuquerque is the general contractor for the KC remodel.

Plaza Comes Alive

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Story and Photo by

Mark Graven

 Staff Writer

Photo of the new plaza in front of Louis E. Saavedra


As Spring has sprung in Albuquerque, the new plaza in front of the Louis E. Saavedra Administration has come to life with grass, as workers have sodded swathes of the Plaza area with the green stuff, photographed on Monday, March 29th.
The new grass is part of the final touches being put on the plaza, which has blossomed out of the area where the east side of  “N” Building used to be.  N was demolished last year.  Some of its former classrooms are being replaced in the newly renovated Max Salazar Hall, and other will soon occupy Ken Chappy Hall which is currently undergoing renovation, CNM officials say.
Concrete benches, a bike rack, and new trees, were already in place on the plaza, before the grass was added last week.
The west side of  N’s former space features new parking spaces, freshly striped.  Workers on site said that old North parking lot, will get some spruced up parking spaces, as the construction project winds to a close.

Ken Chappy Hall Remodel Proceeds

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Photo by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer


Ken Chappy Hall, on the CNM Main Campus, reduced to just its superstructure in its 2021 remodel, is making a comeback.  On Tuesday, March 23d, it was sporting new yellow walls.  A closer look reveal that the bright color is from sheeting material, and is not likely to be the finished product, as remodeling by the Franken Construction Company of Albuquerque proceeds. 

ECOS and Dean Come Together to Improve Online Learning

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Story By

Mark Graven

 Staff Writer


CNM’S Executive Council of Students (ECOS) met with the Phil Lister, dean of  the Math, Science and Engineering School at CNM, to chart a path forward in improving remote learning in science and math courses.  

Dean Lister, who engaged ECOS board members concerns at their regular meeting of March 19th via a Jitzi link, which students can access on Fridays at 2 p.m.

By the end of the meeting Lister said he would be contacting members of his faculty to encourage more lecture sessions with students, and more faculty/student interaction generally.

ECOS board members say they have been fielding complaints from students  that some on-line math and science courses lack a real-time lecture component in which students can ask professors questions to clarify difficult concepts.

Lister said he would like to hear personally from students that might be dissatisfied with their faculty interaction time, so that problems can be addressed.

“I want to hear from students”  said Lister.  “It can be scary for students to raise concerns.  I want to assure students that we are friendly.”

He said that some faculty may have had a harder time adjusting to remote learning in Covid times. And these faculty members could be given assistance.  

ECOS members suggested that professors with recorded lectures could share them with other professors that have had difficulty in on-line lecturing.

ECOS members have taken the position that recorded lectures are better than no lecture at all. The have also said that it helps science and math students to see problems worked on a whiteboard.

Lister said that not all students prefer lecture, but he agreed with ECOS members that courses, and sections of courses, that do have lectures, could be indicated in the course catalogue, or some other means.

“It is important that students know what to expect,” said ECOS President Alex Crossland. 

Dean Lister agreed with ECOS members that students had a right to know what type of learning experience they are signing up for.

Board Vice President Imane Bahji, who has spearheaded the ECOS’s effort to inject more lecture in on-line math and science courses, said she was pleased with Dean Lister’s responses, but that ECOS would still have to  “keep our eyes out.”

ECOS members said they want on-line improvements implemented by the start of the upcoming summer semester.

Pop In, By Appointment To The Library

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Story by

Salvador Zambrano

Staff reporter

As of March 12th, main and westside campus have been offering services to students by appointment said Associate Library Director for CNM Renee Goodvin.

Students will have to fill out a daily health assessment before coming to campus to ensure their own safety and the safety of others, she said.

“It is a great idea because we are allowing students to get the resources that they need, but it’s a difficult situation because students want to come to the library to study. Which is one of the main services we provide.” She said.

The library homepage also provides students with the ability to check out books and other electronic equipment like iPads or laptops, she said.

Appointments can also be made through the library for ace tutoring services, she said.

Once students have been approved for those items, they will be directed to make an appointment through the website to come and pick them up, she said.

Goodvin said, printing services are also offered but at main campus only

she added that she suspects the current level of operations would last until the end of the spring semester. As the state continues to move from yellow to green and finally turquoise, there will probably be more services provided to students.

“Honestly we don’t know, we’re waiting for the president to give us the ok,” she said. She added that she suspects the current level of operations would last until the end of the spring semester.

The library has already partnered with campus safety to ensure proper social distancing throughout the library by placing tables 6 feet apart and limiting the amount of chair available, she said.

Goodvin said she was glad CNM was reopening and knows they’re trying to do their best to ensure student safety.

Lighting the Plaza

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven 

Staff Reporter

Workers from Theco, an electrical contractor out of Corrales, install a light pole on the new plaza in front of the Louis Saavedra Administration Building, as the project reaches the finish line.  The project features concrete benches, freshly planted trees, and a new bike rack.  It occupies part of the space where “N” building once stood.  The workers requested to remain anonymous.

  • Location where light pole is to be installed
  • Workers from Theco work on light pole
  • The finished installation of the new light pole

ECOS & Dean to Discuss Future of Online Education

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By

Mark Graven

Staff Writer


Phil Lister, Dean of the School of Math, Science and Engineering at CNM has accepted an invitation to attend the next Executive Council of Students (ECOS) to be held March 19th, according to ECOS President Alex Crossland.
The EOCS board has been searching for a way of obtaining more interaction between professors and students in math and science courses in the remote learning process that has taken over CNM, during Covid times.
To that end the ECOS board members, at last Friday’s meeting, crafted an email inviting Dean Lister to meet with board members this coming Friday.  By the end of the meeting last Friday, Lister replied that he would attend, Crossland announced.
Dean Lister presides over a large amount of academic territory at CNM.  The MSE School offers degree programs in Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Earth and Planetary Science; Engineering; Geography; Mathematical Science; Nutrition; Physics; and Pre-Health Scidnce; and non-degree programs in Astronomy and Natural Science (for teachers).
Physics course have come under particular scrutiny at ECOS board meetings because they lack a lecture component, according to Imane Bahji. ECOS vice-president.  
Bahji said that if difficult science and math courses are not going to offer lecture, or some other reasonable substitute for faculty student interaction, then CNM should say so upfront, so that students know what they are getting into.  
ECOS had previously contacted CNM President Tracey Hartzler, and met the the Faculty Senate, but did not achieve the improvement to remote learning that board members wanted to see.
Students interested in watching ECOS meeting with Dean Lister can go to My CNM and search for ECOS meeting link.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., as per usual with ECOS meetings.

Where’s Owlivia?

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

The tree’s an CNM’s Westside Campus where the famous horned owl couple live.

“Owlivia,” the female half of the now famous horned owl couple in residence at CNM’S westside campus peeks over the second level ledge, on the Southside of the main entrance to the Michael J. Glennon Building.  Her mate, “Whodini,” was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday, March  7th.   Campus personnel said that Whodini often disappears into the trees, by the entrance, when Owlivia, takes the south ledge perch.  
The owls have been recently spotted together on a ledge on the Northside of the MJG entrance, where “Owlivia” had laid two eggs.  Unfortunately, the eggs rolled off the ledge, and did not survive the fall, campus personnel said.  

Photo of an Owl peaking out over the second ledge on the South Side of the entrance at CNM’s Westside Campus.

This marks the second year in a row in which Owlivia has lost her eggs.  The owls achieved notoriety, when a young owlet fell out of his nest in a tree, near the entrance, in 2018, and had to be rescued by local wildlife workers.
Campus administration and security officers now keep tabs on the comings, goings and doings of the owls, which security officers have named.  The Chronicle spoke with Larrison Nelson,, an administrative technician with the Scholl of Adults and General Education and Roger Trujillo, a CNM security officer, outside WSII on Tuesday. 
Nelson and Trujillo said that during the summer months, the owls like to hang out in the pine trees to the north of Westside II building, but prefer to be around the MJG entrance when it is colder.
When the campus is busy, security has signs to set out to indicate the presence of the nesting owls.