"A nonproductive relationship exists between the Board of Regents and the president, which colors all major issues, exacerbates the politicization of the environment ... and jeopardizes the functioning of the UH system," the report said.

The WASC team placed blame on both sides — the president for being "distant" and failing to take an active leadership role and the board for micromanaging the system.

In reaction to the WASC report, regent vice chairwoman Kitty Lagareta said in a statement last night that the WASC findings were "right on target, particularly ... observations about the status of the relationship between the Board of Regents and the president. We have been aware of our responsibility to resolve the situation."

Dobelle was not available to comment on the report.

"Both the president and the BOR are under-performing in their respective roles, possibly due to the inability of the two to find an appropriate balance of roles," the report said.

"The president has a proactive duty to work with the board and to 'work the board,' " the report said. "This means that a president cannot carry out his agendas without board involvement and support, and must actively foster their engagement.

"While the UH system president has incorporated numerous progressive ideas in the original strategic plan," it said, "he does not now appear to be fully in charge of how those items are proceeding. Frequently, issues on which we would expect the president to make recommendations to the BOR have become a matter for BOR involvement in a unilateral way, or have been dealt with despite the president."

Similarly, the report said the board is also under-performing.

"Contrary to the hope expressed in last year's report, we cannot say that the BOR has developed sufficient understanding of either its policy-making and oversight functions nor of the multiple missions of the campuses.

"Rather, the BOR appears to be involved in continuing disputes with the president, micromanagement of the campuses (particularly UH-Manoa) and conflict-of-interest questions."

WASC is one of two independent accrediting commissions that look over the shoulders of academic institutions and make sure they're functioning to offer the best for their students. WASC accredits four-year institutions while its sister agency, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges handles the same for two-year institutions.

Both have been engaged in simultaneous reviews, ACCJC to assess progress of the 10-campus reorganization that elevates the community colleges to equal status with Manoa, and WASC on issues of governance, including the relationship between the board and president.

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