New Mexico Highlands University president Neil Woolf, who was put on administrative leave last month, has filed a lawsuit claiming he was sidelined for refusing to follow illegal orders. In his lawsuit, Woolf alleges that Frank Sanchez, the chair of the Board of Regents, directed him to reroute $600,000 in state funds to a contractor who is a personal friend of Sanchez.
Woolf says he was instructed to cancel a contract meant for a new track facility at the NMHU campus and redirect it to this new contractor instead. When he resisted these orders, he was placed on leave. “I’m bringing this case to clear my name and ensure the people of New Mexico know what really happened,” Woolf shared with an Albuquerque newspaper.
He emphasized that he refused to misuse taxpayer dollars, stating, “When asked to set aside the law to favor a friend, I said no. I never thought doing the right thing would cost me my job.”
The university, however, denies these claims. Officials maintain that there was no pressure from Sanchez or any other university leader to misallocate funds.
This incident raises questions about transparency in public institutions. In light of recent statistics from the Pew Research Center, 62% of Americans are concerned about government corruption and accountability. Cases like Woolf’s may add fuel to this fire, showcasing ongoing issues in higher education funding strategies.
In May, Woolf was just one of several administrators placed on leave, including Provost Dann Brown and men’s basketball coach Zach Settembre. Other administrators were dismissed without explanation, fueling speculation about the university’s internal dynamics.
As this situation unfolds, it reflects broader trends in higher education accountability and governance. For more insights on state funding issues in higher education, you can explore the latest reports from The Chronicle of Higher Education.
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