A Faculty Affairs Officer works in partnership with the Office of the Provost and the University Senate, and serves as an informal, impartial and private resource available to assist faculty in addressing issues, questions or concerns related to equity, professional advancement, career trajectory and work-life balance. While this position serves as a liaison to the Office of Human Resources, it operates independently of regular institutional channels.
Esteban del Río, Professor of Communication Studies, began working at USD in 2001 and has held roles including Associate Provost, Director of the Center for Inclusion & Diversity, and department chair. He serves as the Advisor to the Provost for Faculty Affairs, producing an annual report for the Provost and the University Senate Chair summarizing themes of visitor meetings without identifiers.
In 2018/19, a University Senate committee recommended the establishment of a role that would function as an ombudsman or a similar function within Academic Affairs. The role was announced to the university at the beginning of 2020. Dr. del Río hopes that the role builds trust and provides faculty experiences of accompaniment as they strive for success and navigate issues, a mission-centered practice that is foundational to Catholic Social Teaching.
All current faculty are invited to contact Dr. del Río to discuss matters, including tenure-track and non-tenure track instructors. He also maintains regular contact with colleagues in the Department of Human Resources as matters germane to faculty arise, maintains availability to undertake investigations of faculty questions or concerns, and receives referrals from HR when appropriate.
While Deans, Associate Deans, department chairs, and other administrators serve as resources for faculty and are part of formal university supervisory structures, a meeting with the Faculty Affairs Officer can be an opportunity to talk things out, ask questions, learn about institutional resources and policies, or just be heard by a supportive listener outside of supervisory lines. On occasion, and only upon invitation, the Faculty Affairs Officer accompanies faculty as they move their issue or question through institutional channels.
Privacy is maintained, but complete confidentially cannot be guaranteed in matters related to Title IX.
You may email Dr. del Río at edelrio@sandiego.edu or protorio@gmail.com. You may also call or text him on his personal phone at (858) 663-0625.