Wood questions regents’ hire

Faculty President Richard Wood called for an internal review of the Board of Regent’s 2010 hire of Director of Internal Audit’s Manu Patel.

At last Monday’s Regents meeting, Wood stressed the importance of transparency in the hiring process, the gravity of the position and some questionable practices by Regents Gene Gallegos, Jamie Koch and Carolyn Abeita.

The Albuquerque Journal reported faculty members said Patel received special treatment during the hiring process, was hired without a complete interview and was not required to provide proof of his references. Patel received a multiyear contract $30,000 higher than his predecessor, according to faculty.

Patel’s salary is $152,000.

Regent Jamie Koch said the hiring process was legitimate and followed state and federal hiring law, the Journal reported.
“This is a regents’ hire,” Koch told the Albuquerque Journal. “… We should be able to interview the individuals we want.”

Regent Don Chalmers said the claims should be considered.

In a June 21 letter addressed to the Board of Regents, Wood called for transparency in order to legitimize any hire by the Board of Regents.

“We believe that, if left unaddressed, this situation may ultimately cause grave damage to the University of New Mexico,” he said in the letter. “The Audit Committee, the Internal Audit Department, and the Human Resources Division are all involved parties in this matter.”

Faculty President-elect Timothy Ross said he hopes to pursue an audit next year and wants an answer from the regents by the end of this summer on whether one will be conducted.

“We will insist upon them doing an independent investigation of that office,” Ross said. “You know, it’s their call. We’re simply asking them, telling them, we’d like to see an independent audit.”