MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
The Regents of the University of New Mexico held a special meeting, after due and proper notice under the Regents Policies and the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at l:00 p.m. in Scholes Hall, Roberts Room. A copy of the public notice of this Special Meeting and its Agenda are on file in the Office of the President.
Regents present in person:
James H. Koch, President
John M. “Mel” Eaves
Sandra K. Begay-Campbell, Secretary/Treasurer
Rosalyn D. Nguyen, Student Regent
Regents present via conference phone:
Raymond Sanchez
Jack L. Fortner, Vice President
Don Chalmers
Attending in person:
President Louis E. Caldera
Others in attendance:
Members of the administration, faculty, staff, and the press
Regent President James Koch presided and called the Special Meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. .
Motion approved unanimously to adopt the agenda.
CONSIDERATION OF, AND ACTION ON, PROPOSED CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH PRESIDENT LOUIS E. CALDERA
• At this time, Regent President Koch invited President Louis E. Caldera to make a statement. President Caldera read a letter and made some comments. President Caldera stated that the letter is dated today and is addressed to the Board of Regents. The letter says,
“Dear Regents, this letter is to inform you that I am resigning as President of the University of New Mexico effective August 1, 2006. I have loved serving as President of the University of New Mexico. Eva and I have given our hearts and souls to further the interest of the University and to helping UNM's students and faculty succeed in their educational research and public service endeavors. The work we have done these past two and a half years with the assistance of an outstanding group of colleagues, faculty, staff and administration fills me with pride. Enrollment, retention, research funding, fund-raising and technology transfer are all up and a large scale construction program is underway. The many improvements at the University that we have been able to make, the talented new people we have brought to UNM and the plans and initiatives that have been commenced all set the stage for the next president to continue this work and chart a positive course for the future. It is now time for me to move on to new endeavors and after a period of study and writing to continue serving the University of New Mexico as a member of the faculty of the School of Law. Our family thanks you for the opportunity to contribute to the life of the University of New Mexico, we will always be grateful to the Regents for the opportunity to serve this exciting institution and wish you the best of luck in your stewardship of the University for the benefit of the students, faculty and the people of the state of New Mexico. Sincerely Louis Caldera, President.”
• President Caldera then expressed his gratitude to the University community, to all the faculty, students, staff, to the alumni, to the business community and to all those who were great colleagues and partners in helping to move the University forward. He said he is proud of the work they have done together and believes the University is poised to do great things in the future. President Caldera said that every presidency comes to an end at some point, but always the institution continues on. It has a 115-year history, it will continue on long after we all are gone. President Caldera noted that each of us does what we can to help advance it in the time we have the privilege and opportunity to be able to do so. President Caldera thanked the Regents personally for the support they provided to him and for the good work they have done together.
• Regent President Koch then recognized Regent Eaves who desired to make a short statement. Regent Eaves thanked President Caldera and Eva for the service they have rendered for the University. Regent Eaves said he has come to respect President Caldera very strongly and everyone who knows Eva, loves her and the kids. Regent Eaves thanked President Caldera for the very gracious letter. He said he looks forward to working with President Caldera in the future. Regent Eaves then stated that on a personal level, he would be very glad to help President Caldera with his future, in any way he can. Regent Eaves stated that he knows that the media has contacted the Regents and President Caldera over the past couple of weeks and wanted comments on this matter. He apologized for not being able to talk to the media because this is a personnel matter that, by law, is confidential. He hopes everyone can understand that they were constrained by the law. Regents Eaves stated his view that what the Regents are doing and what President Caldera is doing are products of very serious thought and careful consideration and he thinks that it is in the best interest of the University.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Transition Agreement and Release dated January 25, 2006 (the “Transition Agreement”) by and between Louis E. Caldera (“Mr. Caldera”) and The Regents (the “Regents”) of the University of New Mexico (the “University”) as presented to the Regents be, and the same hereby is, ratified, confirmed, and approved in all respects; and be it further
RESOLVED, that any actions taken by the Officers of the Regents and/or employees and officers of the University prior to the date hereof in furtherance of the Transition Agreement and these Resolutions are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the University, acting by and through its duly authorized officers and the University Counsel, be and they hereby are, authorized, empowered, and directed, on behalf and in the name of the University, to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments necessary and to take any and all action necessary to consummate the Transition Agreement and these Resolutions.
Upon a second and after due deliberation, the Regents voted unanimously to approve Regent Eaves' motion and to adopt the above and foregoing Resolutions.
“The University of New Mexico Board of Regents and President Louis Caldera have announced that they have reached a mutual agreement, effective today, that Caldera would not seek an extension of his contract as president beyond July 31, 2007. Further, Caldera announced that he will resign as president effective August 1, 2006, and take an immediate leave of absence.
The regents and president are working together to make the transition as smooth as possible for the university.
I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement that will enable the university to begin a search for a new president and will allow President Caldera to provide service to the university as a faculty member.
Since July 2003, President Caldera has devoted his considerable skills and talents to the University. I commend his leadership in organizing the first UNM Budget Summit. President Caldera joined the regents in bringing together students, faculty and staff, which resulted in an historic agreement on the amount of tuition increases and faculty compensation.
I especially want to commend President Caldera's foresight in encouraging and supervising the university's joint relationship with the University of California, which resulted in their successful bid to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory. This agreement will benefit the university for generations to come.
Caldera has agreed to continue to advise the regents and senior university officials as part of the transition process. He has named current UNM Executive Vice President for Administration David Harris as acting president. The regents have commended President Caldera's foresight in naming Harris. David Harris is currently in Santa Fe working on the university's budget requests.
The regents will discuss naming an interim president with academic expertise in the near future.”
ADJOURNMENT
Motion approved unanimously to adjourn the Special Meeting at 1:20 pm.
Signature: President James H. Koch Signature: Secretary/Treasurer
Sandra K. Begay-Campbell