The UNM Mathematics and Statistics Department’s acting chair stepped down from her position, and college deans said they are not comfortable disclosing why.
Deborah Sulsky was appointed to the position of acting chair in September when the previous department chair left on medical leave, but she refused to elaborate on the circumstances behind her resignation.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said.
Brenda Claiborne, College of Arts and Science dean, said Sulsky informed her that she was stepping down a week ago.
Claiborne said Sulsky revealed the reasons for her resignation, but Claiborne declined to reveal that information.
“I prefer not to share those reasons without her knowledge or consent,” Claiborne said. “I very much appreciate professor Sulsky’s service to the department during her tenure as acting chair.”
Janet Cramer, the college’s associate dean, also said she was uncomfortable speaking about the situation.
“We’re not comfortable relaying that information,” she said. “I think she can speak for herself.”
Other math department faculty members declined to comment, saying that they didn’t want to get involved.
Claiborne met with the department Tuesday afternoon and said the college is in the process of selecting another acting chair.
Claiborne said Sulsky will return to her previous position as a professor and associate chair of the department.
“I expect to have someone appointed in the next few days,” she said. “In the meantime, the department’s instructional capacity and quality will not change.”
