Tensions brew at University of Hawaii
Regents’ search for new president faces criticism
The search for a new University of Hawaii president has put the institution’s board of regents under political pressure as it faces criticism over perceived flaws in the search, including issues with inclusivity and transparency.
The University of Hawaii is the state’s only public system of higher education. With three universities and seven community colleges, it educates 83% of college students in Hawaii. Outgoing university President David Lassner, a computer scientist, has been in charge since 2014.
The tussle has heightened longstanding tensions between the university system and several powerful state senators.
The Board of Regents recently revised its search plan, demonstrating a potential willingness to address concerns. But it’s not clear what changes will quell the complaints.
A murky timeline
Lassner announced his retirement in September, but there is no exact date for him to step down. He said his final day will be determined by how quickly the regents find a replacement. He anticipated the process would take about a year. “I want to retire by Dec. 31, 2024,” he told USA TODAY.
The board is still hiring a search firm but hopes to hire a new president in June to start in the fall. Several state senators hinted that they believe a transition should happen sooner.
The university system is preparing to propose an operating budget for the next two years. “We certainly want a budget that will reflect the new vision and direction that the new president will take,” said state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim.
Under the current timeline, the outgoing president would prepare the budget, she said, and the new leader would have to defend it before the Legislature.
“It’s not the president’s budget; it’s the Board of Regents’ budget,” Lassner countered: The board, not the president, submits the request to lawmakers.
Moreover, “whenever somebody starts, they’re going to inherit a lot of work in progress.”
Lassner has long been at odds with state Sens. Mercado Kim, Michelle Kidani and Donovan Dela Cruz, who have powerful roles in the Hawaii Senate and say the university’s spending priorities are flawed.
In a July op-ed, Mercado Kim criticized several of the university’s major projects, including a temporary stadium for its football program and a new student center. She argued more resources should go to dorms, which have been under scrutiny for poor conditions.
Political pressure on regents
The board has full authority to appoint the university’s next president. The board’s members, however, are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Hawaii Legislature. Three of the regents − former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, board chair Alapaki Nahale-a and attorney Lauren Akitake − still await confirmation by the Hawaii Senate during the upcoming legislative session.
Christine Fern, executive director of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, expressed concerns about political attempts to influence the regents and thus threaten the university’s autonomy.
While Nahale-a said he had confidence in the board’s integrity and the regents’ confirmation process, he suggested the regents awaiting confirmation could indeed face pressure from state lawmakers.
“Are there individual legislators who may not want some of us confirmed because they don’t agree with how we’ve played our role? Maybe. And that’s their right – not to support or confirm,” Nahale-a said.
Mercado Kim took exception to that. “They are all strong individuals,” she said. “Can you see me influencing Neil Abercrombie? He has a bite of his own, and Lauren is a sharp woman.”
Students and faculty want a role
During the Dec. 7 Board of Regents meeting, several students and faculty members advocated to be included in the selection of the next UH president.
Bronson Azama, president of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii, said his organization considers the process “undemocratic.”
“The Board of Regents is a bunch of political appointees,” Azama said. “Whoever decides the next university president should be inclusive of the very people that are going to be impacted.”
James Lee, chair of the UH emeritus regents association, urged the board to share its powers with stakeholders. He suggested that the selection committee include representatives from the university’s four governance organizations and consider including a community member.
“Inclusion is the only way to prevent a situation where non-regent voices are relegated to second-class status, which is inconsistent with the board’s continued commitment to its stakeholders,” Lee said. “Avoid the politics. Do what is best for the University of Hawaii, its students and the state of Hawaii.”
The board does include one student regent, who is pursuing a law degree. She declined to comment.
Search plan changes course
Following the Dec. 7 meeting, the Board of Regents agreed to revise its search plan, with Nahale-a acknowledging flaws in the initial proposal.
The board will now hold a special Jan. 4 meeting. This meeting, open to the public, will finalize the details of an advisory group for the search, a potential accountability tool.
“We’re going to talk about what that might look like and how we can be as rigorous as possible about honoring (people’s) voice,” Nahale-a said.
Nahale-a also said that the board is interested in conducting “listening sessions” throughout the state.
On Dec. 17, the regents released a survey about the presidential search for students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community members.
The survey asks about the goals, values and capabilities the next president should possess and what the president’s priorities should be as they lead a massive institution impacting tens of thousands of Hawaii residents.