U New Mexico Issues New Suspension to Professor Accused of Harassment

The University of New Mexico on Tuesday issued an emergency suspension to Cristobal Valencia, the assistant professor of anthropology who was due to return to teaching this fall after a first suspension for sexual harassment. The university said late last week that it was reopening its investigation into Valencia due to at least one new report of sexual harassment that followed several local news stories about his case. It said it received new information Tuesday, leading it to suspend Valencia anew.

“Effective immediately, Valencia is suspended from all academic duties associated with his faculty appointment, including teaching, research and service,” the university said in a statement. “The suspension will remain in place while the new complaints are investigated by the appropriate authorities, or until the case is resolved. … His suspension is an emergency short-term action taken as a precaution to prevent any risk of harm to others, and was based upon the seriousness of the allegations.” Valencia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.