Faculty senate
seeks Manoa
chancellor
Since the 1980s, the
presidents of UH have
served a dual roleNeglect crippled UH-Manoa
UH president laments cuts
By Susan Kreifels
Star-BulletinThe University of Hawaii-Manoa faculty senate passed a resolution yesterday asking that the university seek a new chancellor -- a job currently held by UH President Kenneth Mortimer, who they feel has not supported them.
Members asked that the dual-office be separated, that a national search for a chancellor be conducted, that the senate be involved in developing the new office, and that there be no increase in the number of UH administrators as a result.
Resolutions have no binding power, but the administration considers them when making decisions.
Faculty members, who rated Manoa lowest of all UH campuses in a recent morale survey, have complained that Mortimer is not a strong advocate for their campus, nor does he communicate well or consider their opinions.
The Manoa campus has seen budget cuts and shrinking enrollments for several years.
Mortimer said he would not comment on the vote.
UH-Hilo and UH-West Oahu have separate chancellors, and faculty at UH-Hilo said their morale was higher because they felt they had a strong advocate.
UH spokesman Jim Manke said the Manoa campus has not had a chancellor since the 1980s and that opinions change on whether it's a good idea to have one.
Before the vote, Mortimer told senate members that he could "take some lessons in communications. There's an awful lot of information ... but it's not communicated in an effective way."
He said he would be holding a retreat with the senate's executive committee to discuss better communication.
He also said the administration has studied the need for a separate chancellor, but that information was not shared with the faculty.
Reasons cited by the senate that prompted the resolution include:
A hiring freeze that has damaged departments and programs.
Neglect crippled UH-Manoa
UH president laments cuts
