Regents give glowing
review of DobelleThe evaluation stands in contrast
to criticism that the UH president
faces an internal crisis
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents had "an extremely constructive conversation" with UH President Evan Dobelle in discussing his annual review, says Patricia Lee, board chairwoman.
CORRECTION
Monday, Sept. 8, 2003>> The University of Hawaii Board of Regents held a "direct" and "honest" discussion with UH President Evan Dobelle about a variety of issues during an evaluation session Friday, according to board Chairwoman Patricia Lee. The headline to a story on Page A13 yesterday overstated the evaluation as a glowing review. |
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The regents reviewed Dobelle's performance in executive session during a monthly meeting Friday at Maui Community College.
Speaking for the board, Lee said she is "confident that we are going to move forward successfully for the benefit of the university."
Dobelle has been under fire from critics who say his spending policies have hiked the university's costs and he hasn't done what he promised to build a world-class institution.
Reviewing his two years as president in an essay titled "Dangerous Equations," published July 6 in the Star-Bulletin, were Rep. K. Mark Takai, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, Amy Agbayani, UH-Manoa director of student equity, excellence and diversity, and Ralph Moberly, retired UH professor of geology and geophysics.
They said Dobelle's administration "faces an internal crisis of confidence and a credibility gap between what he promised he would do and what he actually has done."
They urged the regents to consider the issues they raised in their review of the president.
In an essay published a week later, Dobelle responded that under his leadership, UH is becoming a "local and global university of which people of Hawaii could be proud."
In other personnel matters, the board appointed two UH-Manoa scientists to top research positions.
James Gaines, department of physics and astronomy chairman since 1995, was named interim vice president of research for the UH system. The position was created in an administration reorganization with a salary range from $234,000 to $253,881.
Klaus Keil, UH Institute of Geophysics and Planetology director, was appointed interim dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. He succeeds C. Barry Raleigh, who resigned effective Aug. 1.
Linda Johnsrud, professor of education administration in the UH-Manoa College of Education, was appointed interim associate vice president for planning and policy.
The board also:
>> Approved establishment of the Sidney and Erica Hsiao Endowed Chair in the Department of Zoology, College of Natural Sciences at UH-Manoa. Hsiao was professor of marine biology from 1949 until he retired in 1971. He died in 1987. His wife, Erica Hsiao, was internationally known for her glass creations. She died in April.
>> Implemented the Affiliated Student Housing program to supplement student housing with hotel rooms. A pilot project last year was expanded to 200 additional bed spaces for the 2003-2004 academic year.
The UH is guaranteeing a certain number of room rentals through a lease agreement with the Ohana Reef Towers. The hotel will have live-in staff similar to UH residency halls with resident advisors, hall directors and others. All residents will be required to comply with university policies and student housing regulations.
>> Authorized the UH administration to simplify and automate UH procurement procedures for goods, services and construction. Russ Miyake, UH director of financial management and controller, said the revised procedures will lead to greater efficiency and significant cost savings.
Most purchases of $25,000 or more under present procedures must be formally advertised as an invitation for bids or request for proposals. Under the new process, most purchases from $2,500 to $100,000 would be made through use of the SuperQUOTE online request for quotation system.
Written requests for quotations would be utilized for some purchases where electronic quotations aren't feasible, the UH said.
