The Board of Regents and President of The University of New Mexico have reached an agreement for an early exit from the presidency by Robert G. Frank. The agreement specifies that Frank will leave office as of Dec. 31, 2016.

“The Board of Regents has determined it is in the best interest of UNM to bring a quick resolution to this matter that is both fair and doesn’t impede our ability to move forward as an institution and conduct a successful presidential search,” said Board President Robert Doughty.

The Board agreed to provide Frank with a paid professional-development leave of absence per his original contract that would end with the expiration of his contract on May 31, 2017. The president would then begin his new faculty appointment as the director of the Center for Innovation in Health and Education on June 1, at a reduced annual salary of $190,000.

Frank’s director appointment is a tenured faculty position within the Family and Community Health Department of the Health Sciences Center. Chancellor Paul Roth will determine the metrics and scope of the position, using Frank’s executive skills in clinical healthcare and innovative applications to advance the mission of the HSC and UNM.

The agreement also stipulates the president and his wife Janet will move from University House by March 1, 2017.

The Board has appointed Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chaouki Abdallah to lead the UNM administration, on an acting basis as of Jan. 1, 2017. Craig White, Dean of the Anderson School of Management, will be acting Provost.

The regents are moving forward with a search for a new president. Isaacson, Miller has been chosen as the search consultant to identify, recruit and evaluate potential presidential candidates. Board President Robert Doughty, who is chairing the search, selected a campus advisory committee to assist in the selection process. The Regents, pursuant to state law and their own policies, will then select a minimum of five finalists for on-campus interviews.

The regents plan to make a decision on a new president by early spring.

The campus community is encouraged to follow the search process and to provide comments and feedback by visiting UNM Presidential Search.