1,200 graduate in May ceremonies
More than 1,200 students will take part in New Mexico State University’s spring commencement ceremonies on May 10, at the Pan American Center.
The morning program begins at 10 a.m. and will include candidates from the colleges of Agriculture and Home Economics, Business, Engineering, Extended Learning and graduate students with degrees from these colleges.
The afternoon program begins at 2 p.m. and will include candidates from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Health and and Social Services and graduate students with degrees from these colleges.
NMSU developing and implementing new compensation program
The university has hired Mercer, a global leader in human resources consulting, to assist NMSU in developing and implementing a new job classification and compensation program.
The new program will have the following components: a consistent process for documenting and classifying jobs; a systematic process for evaluating jobs to ensure competitive levels of pay; and a consistent framework and procedures for administering pay.
“We want to make sure our salaries are competitive with other entities,” said Dorothy Anderson, associate director of Human Resource Services. “We want to make sure we are able to hire and retain the best employees.”
A review of faculty salaries by rank and discipline is in process and scheduled for completion June 30. Staff salaries are also being evaluated. The university plans to look at staff duties and job descriptions to ensure positions are properly classified and compensated equitably.
“This study will help ensure we have the right number of individuals at the right levels to make sure we are using our money wisely,” Anderson said.
The university anticipates completing the study by the end of the calendar year.
Jon Boren appointed Interim Extension Director
Jon Boren, professor and Extension wildlife specialist, was introduced as the new interim associate dean and director of the Cooperative Extension Service during the general session of the Extension in-service training on April 8 in Las Cruces. Paul Gutierrez has moved to a full-time appointment as vice provost for university outreach.
Boren has been a specialist at NMSU since 1996, with a part-time appointment with the Range Improvement Task Force. He earned his doctorate in range science from Oklahoma State University in 1995.
Boren was selected by College of Agriculture and Home Economics Dean Lowell Catlett from names submitted by the Extension Administrative Team. Catlett said he would soon select a chair for a search committee for a permanent associate dean and director and he seeks input into possible search committee members. The dean said Boren would serve until at least July 1, 2009, when salary dollars would become available for the regular director position.