UH group protests ouster of director

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Administrators representing student services at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa have submitted a formal protest of the "arbitrary manner" in which UH housing director Darryl Zehner was relieved of his duties by Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert.

Zehner, who has served for two years, was told by Englert two weeks ago that his contract would not be renewed after it ends in February and that he would be reassigned to other duties. Zehner said there was no explanation for the move and he has appealed.

Friday's protest letter went to UH President Evan Dobelle and the Board of Regents, asking them to investigate "this deplorable action and seek a solution that preserves the integrity of the university as an institution that values its employees and treats them with fairness and respect."

The letter supporting Zehner came from the Office of Student Affairs Administrative Council, a group of which he has been part. According to the council, "Under Mr. Zehner's leadership, services to students have been greatly improved, and efforts to modernize housing continue to be implemented."

Jim Manke, spokesman for the chancellor, would not comment on the letter because it involves a personnel matter.

But in two letters to the editor in Ka Leo, the campus newspaper, graduate students found fault with Zehner's administration of the housing office. Both letters, published Friday, applauded the chancellor's efforts to alter "the entrenched culture" of student housing, which they said places the needs of administrators and staff above those of the students they serve.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.