Posted on: Thursday, June 17, 2004

UH Board of Regents' statement

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Advertiser Staff

This is the full statement released by the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents Tuesday night.

"As many of you know, the Board has been deliberating today for 12 hours straight. It is important to know, however, that we have based our decisions on, what is for some of us, three years of working with Dr. Evan S. Dobelle.

"We have made some decisions and we believe the public has a right to know immediately. Every decision was approved unanimously by the entire Board of Regents.

"Let me begin by explaining our Board policy on Evaluation of the President because it guided us through today's discussion, deliberation and decision-making. Our policy states that the Board is responsible for the effective management of the university to insure that the citizens of the State of Hawai'i are provided with the finest possible higher education opportunities. It further states that the trust placed upon the President is vital, for it is through his efforts that the Board's aspirations for the University are realized. It is necessary, therefore, that there exist not only a unity of purpose between the Board and the President, but also a clear recognition of the President's integrity, character, and institutional commitment to this University.

"Sadly, we have come to the realization that the President no longer has our trust, and there is no longer a unity of purpose between the Board and the President or a clear recognition of his integrity, character and commitment.

"With this in mind, the first decision that we passed unanimously was to terminate Dr. Evan S. Dobelle for cause.

"The second decision we passed unanimously was to reaffirm our Board policy that makes the Vice President for Academic Affairs, David McClain, the acting President. Vice President McClain has assumed these duties effective immediately.

"Clearly, this is the most difficult decision ever to be made by Regents. However, we are confident that we have made the right decision at the right time and that our beloved University of Hawai'i will continue to move forward successfully."