UNM to change gender, race and ethnicity-based employment policies after federal actions

The University of New Mexico reviewed and will revise its policies related to preferential hiring, promotion or compensation decisions based on gender, race or ethnicity following recent U.S.
Education Department guidelines and President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

On March 6, UNM updated its website for guidance on federal executive actions to announce the policy review and upcoming revisions. UNM has submitted draft revisions to the Policy Office for review and expects approval and implementation over the next several weeks, according to UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cinnamon Blair.

The announcement also stated that UNM will review departmental procedures to ensure that hiring, promotion and compensation decisions do not consider gender, race or ethnicity. Additionally, the University will review language in hiring guidelines and job postings “to ensure appropriate and compliant language is used,” including removing references to affirmative action.

Affirmative action at UNM seeks to promote race and gender diversity in employment by recruiting qualified women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans, according to UNM Compliance, Ethics, & Equal Opportunity.

On Feb. 14, the Education Department directed universities across the country to end race-based programs or risk losing federal funding.

Four specific policies will be revised: Regents’ Policy Manual - Section 2.3, Regents’ Policy Manual - Section 6.2, University Administrative Policies - Policy 2720 and University Administrative Policies - Policy 3210.

RPM Section 2.3: Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation

RPM 2.3 details the University’s commitment to affirmative action. The procedure is implemented in student admissions as well as the University workforce, according to the policy.

“With respect to the workforce, in the case where a vacant position falls within a job group which is determined to have underutilization, the hiring official gives preference for selection to a finalist who is a member of the underutilized group, provided that finalist’s qualifications and past performance are substantially equal to or exceed the other finalists’ qualifications,” the policy reads.

RPM Section 6.2: Hiring, Promotion and Transfer

RPM 6.2 mandates that all hiring, promotion and transfer of staff shall be based on training, experience and past performance, and in consideration of UNM’s affirmative action policy.

UAP Policy 2720: Equal Opportunity and Prohibited Discrimination and Related Misconduct

UAP Policy 2720 outlines University equal opportunity and discrimination misconduct policies, including those that discuss affirmative action.

“The University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action,” the policy reads. “It makes good faith efforts to recruit, hire, and promote qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.”

UNM has a responsibility to its students, staff and New Mexican citizens to actively recruit, hire and retain the best-qualified people possible in the context of its commitment to affirmative action principles, according to the policy.

UAP Policy 3210: Recruitment and Hiring

UAP Policy 3210 describes recruitment and hiring procedures, as well as employment restrictions.

“The goal of the University's recruitment and hiring process is to achieve an excellent and balanced workforce with representation and participation from all of the diverse sectors of our society,” the policy reads.

The policy outlines an objective of fair and equitable treatment of all candidates in the recruitment and hiring process.

Human Resources will communicate the policy changes as they roll out, Blair told the Daily Lobo. It is not yet clear what the changes will entail.

“What remains unchanging is our commitment to support all students, faculty, and staff at UNM,” the website for guidance on federal executive actions reads. "We want to ensure that all in our midst thrive."

Lily Alexander is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @llilyalexander

Nate Bernard is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @natebernard14

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