President David Schmidly's son was hired last week as associate director of sustainability, a job that pays $94,000 per year.
But on Sunday, Brian Schmidly withdrew his application for the position amid accusations of unfairness.
"I care too much about sustainability in this state and at the University of New Mexico to operate in an advocacy role in which I would not be effective, and my wife has convinced me that my integrity and reputation are too valuable to continue in an environment where they will be questioned indefinitely," Brian Schmidly said in a statement.
He came under scrutiny Wednesday when UNM announced that he was chosen for the position.
"It is important to (my wife and I) that I assert once and for all that I applied for this job in good faith and took part in an open hiring process that I was assured and believe to this day was proper and scrupulously fair," he said. "Nevertheless, I have notified (Physical Plant Director Mary Vosevich) that while her choosing me was a great honor, my wife and I have decided that it is in our best long-term interests and those of the University of New Mexico to withdraw my name from consideration."
Brian Schmidly went through a two-part interview process with Vosevich before he was offered the job last week.
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"Brian brings a unique blend of marketing and sustainability experience," Vosevich said in an interview Wednesday. "His knowledge of sustainability issues will help us implement the program."
He is the director of marketing for Centex Homes New Mexico. Before joining Centex, Brian Schmidly was the director of media planning and buying for MudHouse Advertising in Albuquerque.
Many UNM community members called the Daily Lobo over fall break, complaining that Brian Schmidly was chosen unfairly.
He was selected over 33 others who applied for the job, including engineers and environmental specialists.
Qualifications for the job include a minimum of seven years' experience at the University level. Vosevich said Brian Schmidly's experience as a student fulfilled that requirement.
David Schmidly said he didn't have a hand in the hiring process and that the position his son was offered does not answer to his office.
"I had nothing to do with Brian's getting this job, and I had nothing to do with his and his wife's making this difficult decision, but my wife and I both respect their wishes," he said in a statement Sunday. "My wife and I have always been and continue to be proud of all our children, never more so than now."
Loyola Chastain, UNM Staff Council president, said staff members all over campus were demoralized by the hiring. She said the selection was one of many events that have widened the rift between University employees and the administration.
"The climate here is not ideal, and employees have been asked to sacrifice by only getting a 2 percent raise, and when things like this happen ... then it's very demoralizing to the other employees that have made the sacrifice," she said.
Chastain said it is troubling that candidates within the University were passed over in favor of Brian Schmidly.
"It came down to two applicants: Dr. Schmidly's son and a current UNM employee," she said. "The current UNM employee knows what is going on and has been around and involved in sustainability for years, so you have to ask yourself how President Schmidly's son was able to beat him out for the job."
Chastain said Brian Schmidly's withdrawal may soothe the anger of some University employees and that she looks forward to seeing who is offered the position next.
"I'm happy to see that somebody has come to their senses and that this has been corrected," she said. "We're pleased that he has withdrawn. We feel like that if that means that there are other qualified applicants that should have the position, then we're happy to hear about that."
