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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, March 12, 2005

UH students protest firing of art teacher

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

A group of 40 University of Hawai'i art students met this week with Neal Smatresk, the vice chancellor of academic affairs, to protest the dismissal of Ryuta Nakajima, an assistant professor of art and art history, which they called unfair and potentially discriminatory.

Several students spoke of Nakajima's commitment to his students, his teaching and contemporary painting, saying "his door is always open."

"A lot of faculty feel strongly that they want to keep him on," said student Eli Baxter.

"We don't understand the reasons why," said student Josh Drechsler, who led the group. "He has full student and faculty support. It's a shame and we don't want to see it happen."

Neither Judith Hughes, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, nor Willa Tanabe, chairwoman of the Art Department, would speak publicly about the case, saying personnel matters are confidential and governed by privacy laws.

But Tanabe said: "I think the process was fair."

Smatresk promised he would look into the situation but told the group it was unusual for a decision made by a department to be overturned by his office.

"The fact that you're all here for a faculty member is a moving thing," Smatresk told the students, who had filled a large conference room. "That speaks volumes."

The official reasons for Nakajima's contract cancellation are unclear, but Nakajima said he had been told he is "not a good teacher" by the head of the painting program.

"Mr. Nakajima is a contemporary artist," Drechsler said. "This provides the students with a well-rounded education ... crucial to the survival of the art department and the success of the graduating students into the contemporary art world."

Smatresk promised to meet again with the students after speaking with the dean, professors and the committee involved in the contract review process.

But Smatresk also told the students the decision may stand.

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