During a Board of Regents meeting earlier in February, Staff Council President Danelle Callan brought the issue of low staff morale to the regents’ attention, drawing on the low staff attendance at acting UNM President Chaouki Abdallah’s recent town hall meeting on Feb. 13.
Callan told the Daily Lobo that the minimal staff presence was likely caused by lack of communication about when and where the event would take place. In addition to hiring and budget constraints causing staff to take on more duties, and therefore having less free time, they also don’t have the ability to leave their desks without “coverage or backup” or time to complete their workload.
“Staff are becoming disheartened that anything they say or do has an impact in the decisions leadership make,” Callan said. “Staff have been vocal in the past, but after years without a pay increase, higher insurance costs and hiring freezes, staff are worried about their job security and also worry about retaliation for speaking up.”
Abdallah confirmed faculty and staff attendance was lower than anticipated during the town hall, and although the event was announced in his weekly message and other forms, many did not know it was occurring.
Abdallah compared it to the Health Science Center town hall that drew a larger crowd after the staff council helped advertise it. He said he hopes future town halls will be “well-advertised and attended.”
Regents President Rob Doughty said the University is going through a bit of a rough patch, but that that makes communication between all parties even more vital.
“Without asking the entire UNM staff how they feel about the institution and their employment, it is difficult to assess the particular areas that are causing the most distress and address them, although we have heard that a lack of raises and resources have been particularly hard on staff,” he said. “I believe that is why Abdallah is reaching out with these meetings.”
Doughty said he has not noticed, or heard of, low staff morale at other events, but was notified of high attendance at the second town hall.
Callan believes low staff morale is present at UNM campus, due to feedback after the town hall.
Various staff members approached Callan, telling her that, although it was confirmed that staff salary increases will not be occurring, they feel no true plans were identified and their concerns were unresolved.
“Most staff told me that they would not be interested in attending another town hall because they felt there is no point and nothing (they) say makes a difference,” Callan said.
Staff earn less each year they work at UNM, according to Callan, because insurance increases and benefits decrease, every year staff members are at the University.
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With tightening budgets over time, staff must analyze costs and benefits of their work, she said.
“I cannot speak for the staff, but I can assume that after many years of little or no compensation increases, higher benefits costs and difficult financial conditions have left some on campus unhappy and has contributed to low morale,” Abdallah said.
The acting president said he does not foresee improvements in New Mexico’s financial situation any time soon; however, said he resolved to strive for inclusiveness and transparency from the University community when it comes to identifying challenges and ideas and finding resolutions.
When individuals are more informed, they will feel less frustrated and morale will improve, Abdallah said. An increase in morale would also improve the working environment and productivity.
Although an increase in staff morale could improve the quality of services at UNM, Callahan said there is no “magical cure” to solve this problem.
“Because trust takes time to build. Staff have lost trust in leadership,” Callan said. “They feel cuts keep happening but the root of the problem never gets addressed. We need a strategic long-term budget plan that includes the preservation of our benefits, shared governance, transparency and eventual salary increases.”
Doughty said the acting president is providing stable and transparent leadership, while also facilitating opportunities for campus-wide dialogue. Solutions can be determined through comprehensive understanding of necessary changes and how UNM can address them.
“UNM strives to have a healthy work environment,” Doughty said. “We know that the cuts to UNM that have resulted from budget challenges has taken a toll on our staff and faculty. The administration remains committed to exploring ways in which to make UNM successful and serve our students, while valuing our staff and faculty.”
Callan said she appreciates that UNM leadership holds open forums to have vital conversations, but a continued effort is necessary.
“Staff are looking for leadership to go to bat for them in making the case to the regents and the governor that we have cut all we can. We can’t keep balancing the budget on the backs of staff and faculty positions or benefits,” she said. “Staff are hardworking, but it’s difficult to do your job with compassion when your feel marginalized.”
Elizabeth Sanchez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Beth_A_Sanchez.
