Managing unprofessional behaviors or other faculty and clinician matters can be complicated and will often require or benefit from the engagement of other administrative offices and processes at the UNM Health Sciences Center (HSC). To support faculty, Division Directors, Chairs, and Deans, the Office of Academic Affairs has recruited a Director of Faculty Employment Relations, Shirley Alexander, to assist with identifying the appropriate path to take when issues affecting faculty performance are of concern. The role of the Director of Faculty Relations is to initiate documentation of concerns and provide guidance on appropriate next steps. This may include the provision of policy process and advisement, engaging with a referral for mediation, and/or professionalism development.
The Director of Faculty Employment Relations is the first point of contact within the Office of Academic Affairs. Contacts and communications with the Director are confidential to the extent permitted by University policy or federal or state law. The Director of Health Sciences Faculty Employment Relations reports to the HSC Vice President of Academic Affairs. The role of this office does not replace or supersede provisions, processes, or responsibilities of units or individuals articulated in policies in Sections C and E of the UNM Faculty Handbook or UNM human resources or compliance policies.
Within the HSC, the Director of Faculty Employment Relations provides consultation to faculty, department chairs, division leaders, and other senior administrators on academic employment and policy matters. The Director works with HSC leaders and supervisors in all Departments for the provision of educational workshops to promote the management of behavioral concerns; preliminary mediation and conflict resolution services. The Faculty Employment Relations Office can provide advice on policies and procedures pertaining to academic grievances, layoffs, misconduct, and related administrative and personnel issues. The Director can help as a resource on academic personnel policies, including providing training, informational, and educational programs. Some matters will simultaneously affect multiple mission areas (clinical, research, education) and may reflect multiple interpersonal relationships. This Office will assist with providing the available resources to help manage faculty matters, including disruptive or unprofessional behaviors. In the HSC, Amy Levi, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Shirley Alexander, Director of Faculty Relations, oversee the management of the response to managing faculty matters covered in the Faculty Employment Relations resource guide. In addition, the HSC Academic Affairs Office works closely with the Interim Associate Dean for School of Medicine Academic Affairs, Donna Sigl; the HSC Vice President for Research, Richard Larson; UNM Senior Vice Provost, Barbara Rodriguez; the UNM Office of Academic Personnel and other campus and HSC offices. The HSC Office of Academic Affairs can provide assistance as well as referrals to other offices for resources and support.
Faculty Academic Affairs Organization Chart - Click Here
Faculty Employment Relations Resource - Click Here
Faculty Relations
Office Location: Health Sciences and Services Building (HSSB)
Mailing Address
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-1070
Phone: (505) 272-0855
