The new president of the University of Hawai'i, M.R.C. "Marci" Greenwood, inherits a 10-campus system challenged with bursting enrollment, unprecedented budget cuts and the stalled expansion of its West O'ahu campus.

Greenwood officially took the helm of the UH system from former President David McClain on Saturday, but she isn't expected to physically begin presiding over the university until Aug. 20.

Key campus leaders yesterday identified some of the major challenges Greenwood faces as UH president. During a time of severe budget cuts to the university — about $155 million in restrictions — Greenwood will preside over historic increases in enrollment, mainly at the seven community college campuses. She'll also be expected to oversee the construction of the new UH-West O'ahu campus, which has been stalled since January.

Negotiation of pay cuts for UH faculty and staff is likely to still be an issue when Greenwood arrives. McClain was attempting to address up to half of the governor's $106 million in budget restrictions over the next two years through salary reductions.

NEW ENVIRONMENT

Beyond these pressing issues, Greenwood's immediate challenge will be acclimating to a new social and political environment, said UH-West O'ahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni.

"My sense is her first few weeks and months will be spent researching and gaining a better level of understanding of the issues we're dealing with," said Awakuni, who met with Greenwood a few weeks ago to discuss issues unique to UH-West O'ahu.

As chancellor at the University of California at Santa Cruz from 1996 to 2004, Greenwood was highly regarded, increasing the number of academic programs by 52 percent, with a 41 percent increase in graduate programs; hiring 250 new faculty members; and more than doubling extramural research support.

Greenwood also served two years as the UC provost, the second-highest administrator in that system, until she resigned in 2005 amid allegations of favoritism and an investigation of her hiring practices.

Awakuni said he'll be seeking her guidance as UH-West O'ahu attempts to sell more than 50 acres of land to raise money for the construction of the first phase of its new campus in Kapolei.

"The biggest challenge is to try to figure out ways to fund Phase I. It's a big public works project that deserves the attention of the state Legislature, the governor and others," Awakuni said.

The state has already spent some $35 million to lay down the infrastructure — water and sewer lines and other utilities — for the project.

A deal that would have brought $100 million to UH-West O'ahu fell through last year when Texas-based Hunt Development backed out of an agreement to buy 298 acres at the perimeter of the campus, citing the recession as the reason.

Meanwhile, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said she's concerned about the effects of more than $50 million in budget cuts on the state's largest research institution.

BUDGET CUTS

The UH system's flagship campus is currently eyeing about $36 million in cuts from the past legislative session and an additional $30 million in restrictions in labor costs from Gov. Linda Lingle. While about $14.7 million of that will be offset by federal stimulus dollars, Hinshaw said the cuts could have an effect on student success.

"Manoa has a unique role as a Research I institution, the only one in the state. ... We're being hit the hardest and we're actually the major generator (of research dollars)," Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw said she'd be looking to Greenwood to shield Manoa from current and future budget cuts.

"We did an economic impact study last year to look and see how the dollar flow was. It showed for every dollar invested in UH-Manoa, it generated $5.34 worth of spending in Hawai'i. ... If you starve that generator, or cripple it, that money goes away," Hinshaw said.

Across the system, UH faces trimming about $76 million from its annual $470 million budget next year. UH also expects $79 million in cuts in fiscal year 2011.

The budget cuts come as the university's campuses are experiencing record enrollment. Enrollment at all 10 campuses is expected to top 60,000 students in the fall, up from 53,500 last year.

The bulk of the enrollment increases are on the seven community college campuses, where registrations are expected to surge by more than 25 percent, UH officials have said.

Community colleges have planned for the increases in enrollment by adding about 500 additional class sections and hiring additional instructors.