Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 | Edition #175

Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

It was an absolute pleasure to be with so many of you at our division all‑staff gathering this past Friday in the Student Union Building. Taking time to come together as a team each semester and recount the achievements we have made in our shared commitment to innovating the student experience is both gratifying and inspiring, as we endeavor to create a culture of excellence and shared prosperity for our students and for New Mexico.

While I am always grateful for the strong attendance we regularly see at these events, I recognize that not everyone has the opportunity to attend, and I appreciate those whose roles and responsibilities require them to stay in the office during this time.

This semester, we focused on a mid‑year update from year one of five for our new strategic plan, outlining meaningful progress on each of our 31 objectives. Our drivers have been hard at work, and significant achievements across the division are advancing our progress as a campus. Prime examples include the completion of our Lobo Well‑being Insight Report; an expanded partnership with Nusenda to support the Center for Financial Capability; new, expanded initiatives to consider servingness as an MSI and the rural student experience; the launch of a new parenting‑student space in the SUB aligned with our Family U efforts; professional development offerings including First Fridays and new employee orientation for the division; and significantly expanded and standardized assessment practices.

Across the division, each of our units is also working through continuous improvement through the framework of our annual planning and annual inquiry projects, while some units have taken a deep dive through CAS evaluations. Seeing the ways these collective actions elevate the individual talents and contributions of our dedicated staff shows that the UNM Division of Student Affairs remains positioned and committed to ensuring students have the opportunity to succeed, while being poised to lead the way in creating and sustaining an innovative, equitable, and culturally responsive student experience grounded in a sense of place and tradition.

With appreciation,

Eric

After a competitive nationwide search, the Division of Student Affairs at The University of New Mexico is pleased to announce the finalists for the position of director of Campus Recreation. Each candidate will participate in open forums for students, staff, and community members to learn more about their experience and engage in dialogue about their interest in the role. 

The Director of Campus Recreation provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for all aspects of UNM Recreational Services —a university enterprise dedicated to delivering recreational and wellness programs for students, staff, and faculty. In alignment with Student Affairs strategic goals around holistic wellness, belonging, and a student-ready campus environment, the director will help advance high-impact programs that promote learning, personal development, and overall well-being. This position will contribute to the implementation of DSA’s 2025–2030 strategic plan, Innovating the Student Experience, which seeks to position Student Affairs as a global leader in delivering inclusive, culturally responsive, and innovative student-centered programs.

UNM will launch LoboTime, the University’s new electronic timekeeping system, on February 21. HR, Payroll, and IT have been preparing for this transition with leadership and representatives across campus, including our units in Student Affairs.

LoboTime replaces the legacy Banner Time Entry system and moves UNM to a fully electronic process—eliminating paper timesheets and improving efficiency and accuracy. While paper timesheets will no longer be submitted, UNM will continue to follow payroll deadlines, which can be found here: https://payroll.unm.edu/mypay/pay-schedule.html. 

As part of this transition, non‑exempt (hourly) employees will clock in and out directly in LoboTime, and both non‑exempt and exempt (monthly) employees will manage leave taken through the system. Best practice going forward will be for all future leave requests to be submitted in LoboTime. Supervisors will approve employee time cards, and unit-level org managers will provide the final acknowledgement needed for Payroll processing.

LoboTime is accessible at https://lobotime.unm.edu/. Because timekeeping procedures vary across DSA, employees and supervisors should follow guidance from their unit leadership for specific expectations and timelines.

Training and support resources are available at https://time.unm.edu/, and assigned courses can be accessed through your Learning Central plan. We appreciate your flexibility as we transition to this new system. LoboTime will strengthen timekeeping practices across Student Affairs and better support staff and student employees.

Please join Peer Learning Facilitators for Student Sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Dane Smith Hall to help study for upcoming exams in an interactive review. Pizza, beverages, and class help!

Join the Office of the Provost, OAS, and IT as we look to the future of Student Hub. 

• Refresh your knowledge of Student Hub essentials and check out improvements made since launch.
• Preview enhancements currently in testing.
• Participate in planning next steps.

Bring your laptop with you to practice along with the presentation. Student Hub trainers and power users will be on hand for support. 

Light refreshments will be served.

Date: Choose from Monday, Feb. 23 or Tuesday, Feb. 24 

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Jackson Student Center at Anderson School of Management. Zoom available for Branch campuses and those with remote work arrangements  https://unm.zoom.us/j/9697769011

Questions? Reach out to shconnect@unm.edu.

The University of New Mexico is now accepting applications for the Clauve Outstanding Senior Award, which recognizes exceptional undergraduate seniors who demonstrate strong academic performance and meaningful contributions to the campus community through leadership, service, and involvement.

Eligible students must be Albuquerque campus undergraduate baccalaureate students graduating in December 2025 or May 2026.

👉 Apply here: https://goto.unm.edu/clauve26

📅 Application deadline: Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11:45 PM

📧 Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically to clauve@unm.edu

Help the Division of Student Affairs reach its goal of raising $23,000 from 225 donors during the 2026 UNM Big Give Day on Thursday, April 9. UNM Big Give Day is a 24‑hour, campus‑wide online fundraising event that brings together alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends from around the world to support The University of New Mexico.



As an Influencer for UNM Big Give, your role is to help spread the word and encourage support for your department through social media. Check out the perks and prizes for becoming an Influencer.

Black History Month Events

African American Student Services (AASS) continues its month of “Back to the Basics” with the following Afro Black History Month events, each highlighting a core value and experience within Black history, culture, and community.