Memo Nieto

TO: Dr.
Adriana Nieto, Chair & Professor

Department of Chicana/o Studies
FROM: Dr. John Masserini, Dean

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
DATE: December 5, 2023
SUBJECT: Written Warning & Removal as Chair
CC: Dr. Marie Mora, Provost ad Interim

Dr. Catherine Kleier, AVP Faculty Affairs
____________________________________________________________________________________
This memo serves as a written warning, resulting from incidents that occurred in the Jordan Student
Success Building (JSSB) on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Those incidents involved inappropriate
comments by you to university employees that were overheard by MSU Denver students and
unprofessional behavior in the office of Human Resources.
There have been two formal written complaints submitted to my office. Eyewitnesses to the events have
come forward and confirmed the specifics. Below are a few details from the complaints:
• “I walked back out to the front desk and saw her speaking to my students…while hitting the desk…”
• “…Adriana made rude comments about how it’s unfair that HR gets to work from home.”
• “[She] said she had been to HR, and no one works there or knows what they’re doing.”
• “This is when she stated to me that if she was going to pay to send her son to school it wouldn’t be
to MSU…’you know what I mean?’.”
• “[when she made] her comment regarding not paying for her son to go here...we had students up
front who do pay to go here…”
It goes without saying that this behavior is inappropriate for anyone working at MSU Denver, much less an
academic leader and department chair. It was especially alarming when you stated to me and Executive
Director Nahum Kisner “If I could pay full tuition, do you think I would send my kid here?” in the lobby of the
JSSB building, within earshot of our students. This was the second time you said this in front of students
this day.
In your last performance review (July 2023), I took the time to outline areas that need improvement,
identifying your tendency to emphasize the negative viewpoint in most conversations. This often leads to
comments and tone that are disruptive, unprofessional, and counterproductive to solution-finding and a
growth mindset. The incident in question on November 8 certainly demonstrates a lack of reflection and
behavior modification on your part.
The Chicana/o Studies Department recently went through an external program review. While the
curriculum, scholarship, and overarching support of our students by individual faculty was a highlight, the
bulk of my conversation with the reviewer had to do with his observation of a lack of leadership in the
department. Specifically, strategic planning for increased enrollment, future direction of the department,
and collaboration with our Office of HSI were just a few of the major concerns. Unfortunately, this external
view aligns with my overall impression of the leadership and future direction of the department as well.
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Campus Box 37 P.O. Box 173362 Denver, CO 80217-3362 Phone: 303-556-3215
I simply cannot have members of CLAS leadership behaving in such a manner as you displayed on
November 8. Due to this, I am removing you as Chair of the Department of Chicana/o Studies, effective
December 22, 2023. I expect you to complete your job duties for the remainder of the semester, as defined
by the Faculty Employment Handbook, the CLAS Operational Handbook, and all other applicable university
policies and procedures. Specifically, I want our students’ needs met until the Holiday Break, after which,
there will be an interim chair appointment for the department.
My office will assign you additional classes for Spring 2024 to bring you back to a full-time faculty position.
Following the policy and procedure in the Faculty Employment Handbook, I am allowing no more than 25%
of reassigned time for Spring 2024 to help with this adjustment. That will take the form of some reduction
in teaching. You are expected to teach a full load of classes (24 credits) next academic year. Details of the
AY ’24-’25 workload will be decided by the Interim Chair once that person is identified and placed. You are
not eligible for the 5/6 salary benefit, as you did not serve the required amount of time in the chair role.
Furthermore, that salary benefit is no longer applicable for anyone hired in an administrative position
starting July 2021 or later.
I am truly sorry it has come to this. I hope honest and deep self-reflection will occur and this opportunity to
return to the faculty will give you a chance to re-engage in new and productive ways.

Memo Nieto

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Memo Nieto

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TO: Dr.

Adriana Nieto, Chair & Professor

FROM: Dr. John Masserini, Dean

DATE: December 5, 2023

SUBJECT: Written Warning & Removal as Chair

CC: Dr. Marie Mora, Provost ad Interim

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