Top UH-Manoa job draws 5 candidates

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Interim University of Hawai'i President David McClain is considering a list of five candidates to become the new Manoa chancellor, the top administrative position on the university's largest campus, university sources say.

Those being mentioned as possible replacements for Peter Englert include two deans, two vice- chancellors and a professor.

McClain hopes to be able to name an acting or interim chancellor by Aug. 1, but the Faculty Senate Executive Committee warns that any choice should not be rushed.

"We have not had the process we'd like to have in choosing the leader of our campus," said Robert Bley-Vroman, president of the Faculty Senate committee. "It needs to be a process Manoa-driven and faculty-led."

The names under consideration for the position on an acting basis, according to student body president Grant Teichman and several other sources consulted in the selection process, include:

• Andrew Hashimoto, dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

• Neal Smatresk, vice-chancellor for academic affairs at Manoa.

• Aviam Soifer, dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law.

• Gary Ostrander, vice-chancellor for research at Manoa.

• Denise Konan, professor and chairwoman of economics.

McClain said he would consult widely with campus constituencies, including students, and has included in his consultations Teichman and activist student senator Katie Barry. But faculty leaders have not been satisfied.

"There's concern around the idea about an appointment of an interim chancellor that the decision could be made in the matter of a week or so," said Bley-Vroman. "It seems really short. ... If we were to begin a serious search for a permanent chancellor relatively soon, but not in the next week, that would help with some of the concerns."

But McClain has said he wants to have a new interim or acting chancellor in position when Englert's term is up and would expect that person to be there for as long as two years.

Englert's contract ends July 31, and McClain has said it will not be renewed.

UH spokeswoman Carolyn Tanaka, associate vice-president for external affairs, said McClain wants to leave an interim chancellor in place until a new president is selected — which could be as early as next summer.

"The reason being," said Tanaka, "is that whoever the president is should have the opportunity to mount the chancellor search."

Student Barry said she understands "there's a lot of support behind Andy Hashimoto ... and also in line is Neal Smatresk."

But she has introduced a resolution in the Student Senate backing Konan. Teichman, too, said Konan is the candidate many students would prefer.

"We've been in preliminary consultations with McClain and I'm pushing for Denise Konan," said Barry. "She won the award in 1997 and 1998 for excellence in teaching at Manoa, (an award given by students), served as the interim assistant vice-chancellor for academic affairs and played a key role in developing the Manoa strategic plan. I think there's a lot of support in the Student Senate for her."

Teichman said McClain had called "and wanted everyone included in the process because that's a big contentious point on the campus.

"He said, 'Here are the names that have come up already,' and asked us if we had any we wanted to throw in the pool."

Smatresk, Soifer and Ostrander declined comment, and Konan couldn't be reached, but Hashimoto said he has heard the speculation and has been asked about it by people on campus.

"I don't think it's final," he said, of any decision.

"At this point, I really can't say much," he said. "As far as a decision, if I was it, I would have known."

But he said he has not been asked to serve.

McClain is traveling on the Mainland and could not be reached for comment. However, UH spokeswoman Tanaka said the Board of Regents would have to approve a new acting chancellor.

"He (McClain) has to take it to them. They do have a meeting in July."

Tanaka said McClain has been meeting with various Manoa faculty and student groups.

"I know names were mentioned, but I'm not privy to who they are," she said. "But the plan is to hopefully have an interim chancellor in place by Aug. 1."

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