Contract not renewed
for popular LCC officialCoordinator Lucy Gay is reassigned
to her old job as counselor
Waianae-area legislators plan a public meeting about the controversial reassignment last month of popular Leeward Community College Coordinator Lucy Gay.
State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Waianae) said yesterday the University of Hawaii touched off the controversy by not renewing Gay's contract as coordinator of LCC's Waianae satellite campus, which expired July 1.
Instead, Gay was reassigned to her previous position as a counselor at the main Pearl City campus.
"She's been an incredible asset for the school in a very short amount of time, made some really great changes and improvements," Shimabukuro said. "The community is just up in arms as to why they don't want to renew her contract and instead bring somebody else in for another temporary contract."
The college has defended its actions, saying the position of academic chair for the Waianae campus was a temporary special assignment never intended to be permanent.
The decision to return Gay to her counseling duties at the main campus was based on many factors taking into account collegewide needs, explained Doug Dykstra, LCC's interim vice chancellor and chief academic officer.
"The college must exercise its discretion in personnel matters," Dykstra said in a statement yesterday.
Nevertheless, Shimabukuro said, the whole incident seems odd, especially when Gay has said she wants to stay.
Supporters say Gay increased scholarships and student enrollment, expanded the Waianae campus' curriculum and secured new equipment. Her departure has prompted petitions, newspaper editorials and even a "Friends of Lucy Gay" group.
Shimabukuro, state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae) and state Rep. Michael Kahikina (D, Nanakuli) will make the issue their main topic at their monthly town meeting Monday. They have invited David McClain, vice president of academic affairs, and Mark Silliman, chancellor of LCC, to participate.
The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Waianae District Park, 85-601 Farrington Highway, behind the Waianae Library.
Dykstra said when Gay was appointed as the Waianae faculty chairwoman, she was aware the position was for one year. The change in chairmanship of a department is common and not considered a demotion, he added.
He assured the Waianae community the college's commitment remains steadfast, and noted funding for the Waianae campus has increased during the past three years.
The college spends more than $600,000 a year on the satellite campus and supports many other programs in Waianae, he said.
Meanwhile, Gay's supporters are expected today to attempt to raise the issue at the UH Board of Regents meeting at the Manoa campus.