By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
University of Hawaii President Kenneth Mortimer expects
the state to cut his budget by up to 5 percent.

UH chief
optimistic despite
fund cuts

Mortimer praises faculty and
directors in his State of the
University address

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

In his State of the University speech today, president Kenneth Mortimer told University of Hawaii faculty and administrators that university autonomy will allow them to do their jobs better.

But he said the state government should not give any less money just because the university can make its own policy decisions.

Still, Mortimer expects a cut of up to 5 percent of the $272 million the university received from the general fund last year and warned that the university must make tough budget decisions that will include discussions about downsizing and streamlining.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
With protesters outside the main entrance at Kennedy Theatre
during his State of the University address this morning, University
of Hawaii President Kenneth Mortimer headed for a side exit
when he finished speaking. Outside, protesters caught sight
of him and rushed toward him. Meanwhile, Mortimer had
trouble getting in his car. The protest was organized by
Manoa United, a new coalition of student and faculty groups.

In the early part of his speech, Mortimer did not give any specifics about budget cuts.

Meanwhile, Mortimer said the start of a new school year is a great time of optimism for the university. He praised the new directors for the School of Medicine and for the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii as people who will bring a new direction and new challenges to the University.

"We here have a great deal to be proud of as we start the academic year," Mortimer said.

He also praised faculty for setting records in terms of research funding. For the last three years, he said faculty have brought in $164 million annually in research grants.

Meanwhile about 40 protesters were outside Kennedy Theatre chanting "Save the University." They were protesting Mortimer's proposal to close the School of Public Health, among other issues.

This was Mortimer's sixth State of the University speech.