New UH president must restore pride

Newly named University of Hawai‘i President Evan Dobelle brings with him a varied background that includes politician, diplomat and academic administrator.

He’ll need all three skill sets, and more, to succeed in managing the tumultuous University of Hawai‘i system.

Certainly, all of Hawai‘i wishes Dobelle well as he takes over the heavy responsibilities now being shouldered by Kenneth Mortimer. Mortimer’s tenure was characterized by years of budget restrictions that only now are beginning to lift.

Mortimer leaves behind a considerable gift, in the form of broad public and political recognition that the University of Hawai‘i must have autonomy in order to rise to greatness. Through vigorous pursuit of research grants and an aggressive fund-raising campaign, Mortimer also brought a level of financial independence to the university system.

But Dobelle takes over, as he is only too painfully aware, at a time when faculty morale is sagging and the prospect of a strike more likely by the day.

A strike would do more than disrupt teaching and harden feelings. If a strike lasts any time at all, the UH would lose valuable momentum. A long strike might even cause some research projects to pull up stakes and move to a more hospitable academic climate. This is a "brain drain" we cannot afford.

Dobelle comes to campus under a minor cloud caused by the selection process, which took place almost entirely in secret. That secrecy might have been necessary to preserve options, but it left many on campus feeling left out of the game entirely.

In an adroit move, Dobelle immediately acted to defuse this unhappiness by asking that the search for a new Manoa campus chancellor be put off until an all-faculty selection committee can be brought into the process.

Dobelle has roots in Democratic Party politics; he served in the White House under Jimmy Carter and was treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. That kind of background can help in heavily political, heavily Democratic Hawai‘i.

But ultimately, it won’t be political connections or adroit diplomacy that makes or breaks our next university president.

Success will be measured by continuing the drive for autonomy, by further building Hawai‘i’s reputation as a quality research center and by providing a strong record of quality education and community service.

And finally, success will be measured by the degree to which campus pride and cohesiveness are restored to full luster.

In this effort, Dobelle must have the entire community’s support.

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