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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2001

Dobelle to overhaul UH

By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer

University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle today announced an administrative and academic overhaul of the 10-campus system, calling for a four-year campus on Maui, a new University of Hawai'i at Kona, a new faculty union contract and greater unification of the campuses.

In a speech before the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Dobelle announced an 18-month, 11-part plan that would change the UH system radically in an effort to enhance its reputation by highlighting good programs and stopping the so-called "brain drain" of students leaving Hawai'i for Mainland schools.

While keeping Manoa as the flagship research campus, Dobelle said he will reduce the competition that exists among campuses and better define the mission of each. Interim Manoa Chancellor Deane Neubauer will look at developing a selective, rigorous liberal arts college there to offer a top-notch academic experience to Hawai'i's most talented students.

Dobelle called for a four-year campus on Maui — something officials there have requested for years — a new campus at Kona and an expansion of Hono lulu Community College to create a four-year technical baccalaureate program.

The West O'ahu campus, housed in temporary shacks on the Leeward campus despite its 25-year history, would be emphasized as a center for distance learning and wireless technology. The school's current liberal arts focus would not change.

"Is it too much? Maybe," Dobelle said. "But education is always to travel, hopefully not to simply arrive."

The new president also plans to finalize a location for the new medical school, bring in Coopers and Lybrand to audit the accounts and look at the UH bureaucracy, develop a plan for international education and call summits on public education, the environment and economic development.

"The University of Hawai'i also has the potential to be a unique bridge between East and West," he said. "No other university in the world is better positioned by geography or programs to fulfill this purpose."

UH has 18 months — the completion of this legislative budget cycle — to implement plans for all these programs. Dobelle will not ask for more money from the Legislature in January.

To emphasize its place as an intellectual leader, and the only American college, in the Pacific, Dobelle said officials soon will select a permanent director for the Mauna Kea Management Office. He also has directed full funding for the long-standing requests of the Center for Hawaiian Studies.

Dobelle's speech comes nearly three weeks into his tenure. On his first day Dobelle announced a new team of senior administrators.

You can reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.