Albuquerque Journal

Return to UNM Short for Caldera
By Journal Staff Report

Former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera will resume his duties temporarily as a law professor after his leave of absence ends Dec. 5, a UNM official said Wednesday.
    President-elect Barack Obama this week said Caldera will serve as director of White House Military Operations.
    Leo Romero, interim dean of the UNM School of Law, said Caldera received unpaid leave of absence from UNM in early November to serve with the Department of Defense Agency Review Team for Obama.
    Caldera will return to paid employment at UNM at least for part of December to complete his teaching duties, Romero said.
    Caldera taught two classes this fall in election law and legislation. The faculty post pays him about $120,000 a year.
    Caldera accepted a post as a tenured law professor under an agreement with UNM prior to his resignation as president in 2006. UNM also agreed to pay him more than $700,000 by July 2007. Caldera served as president from 2003-06.
    Romero said he anticipates Caldera will request another unpaid leave of absence to accept his post in the Obama administration. The leave request must be approved by the School of Law and the UNM Provost's office, he said.