by Katy Knap
Daily Lobo
Gov. Bill Richardson issued an executive order Wednesday that would allow state employees to take four hours administrative leave on Friday to mourn the pope's death. But the University is requiring employees use their annual leave time.
Paul Shipley, a spokesman for the governor's office, said it was not the governor's intent for them to use their annual leave time, or vacation time, but he didn't know if UNM employees were treated differently than state employees.
"They're not directly state employees," he said.
According to a UNM Business Policy, the University will remain open unless there is an extreme emergency.
"The University of New Mexico has an obligation to conduct its education, business, clinical and support activities on a regular basis and will remain open unless extreme emergency conditions exist," the policy states.
The policy also states that only noncritical employees are granted paid administrative leave during emergencies. It does not mention paid leave for special holidays.
President Louis Caldera released a statement about the governor's announcement Thursday.
He said the University recognizes the importance Pope John Paul II had in the world over the last 26 years, and people need time to mourn his death.
"However, we also recognize this University's vital teaching mission and its commitment to providing students a top-quality education," Caldera said in the statement, adding that classes will be held as scheduled.
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He said managers and supervisors at UNM are "encouraged to grant annual leave time to employees who request time off to mourn the pope's passing."
A statement from Caldera's office about UNM's annual leave policy was not available at press time.
Jessica Lord, an employee at the Cashiers Office, said Richardson shouldn't have granted the half-day leave.
"I think it's bull," she said. "There are a lot of better things our taxpayers' dollars could go to. They can have the weekend to mourn the pope."
Jennifer Henderson, an accounting clerk in the Bursar's Office, said having time off to mourn the pope is important.
"This kind of thing only comes around once," she said. "We'll never have a pope exactly like him again."
Henderson said she isn't a Catholic and understands UNM employees are not under the same policies as other state employees, but she said she feels it's unfair to have to dip into vacation time.
"Whether we're Catholic or not, we should be able to take that time, too," she said. "I've always felt that people should have that right."
Richardson said in a statement it is important for people to remember the pontiff's life and contributions to the world.
"I hope that we take this time to remember and to celebrate, in whatever way we personally feel is appropriate," he said.
Shipley said people are not required to take any time off. If they do, they can take off the morning or afternoon.
"The government still has to run," he said.
