Regents, foundation talk policy over accepting gifts
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
A verbal tussle erupted yesterday between UH Foundation officials and UH regent Jane Tatibouet over an 80-year-old law that requires the Board of Regents to officially accept all gifts over $50,000 — and how that would affect philanthropic giving to the University of Hawai'i.
Foundation president Elizabeth "Betsy" Sloane told a regents committee that to rigidly follow the policy would amount to "completely tying our hands" as the foundation begins a Centennial Campaign to raise between $175 million and $200 million through 2007 for projects on all 10 campuses.
Foundation vice president for development Donna Vuchinich said the foundation is negotiating $30 million in gifts. She also said there is a long-standing policy of gift acceptance that includes protections for the university.
"This is not meant to prevent giving, or tie your hands," said Tatibouet, asking why a $600,000 gift to build a teahouse on the Lyon Arboretum grounds was made public before the regents knew about it.
"It's to protect the university," Tatibouet said. "The university is on the hook if a problem occurs."
Regent Myron Yamasato suggested that it makes sense for the foundation to accept the gifts subject to board approval later on. "If the board doesn't approve it, then you just give it back," he said.
In clarifying the issue, regent Kitty Lagareta noted that the board does not want to restrict the foundation from accepting large gifts, but has to worry whether gifts such as the teahouse are "ultimately going to cost us more."
"Here's a gift that involves land and programs and the public has an expectation," said Lagareta. "If it gets to be $3 million (instead of the original estimates of around $1.2 million that would include half for an endowment), then this board becomes the bad cop."
The committee agreed to refer the matter to university counsel Walter Kirimitsu for a legal opinion. Sloane suggested going to the Legislature to amend the statute.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
