Presidential Selection Committee outreach underway

News Release from University of Hawaiʻi  September 10, 2013

The University of Hawai‘i System’s presidential search has begun in communities across the state.  Members of the Presidential Selection Committee are appearing at various community gatherings to solicit input and suggestions from Hawai‘i residents on what they would like to see in the University of Hawai‘i’s next president and the presidential agenda.

The groups include Neighborhood Boards, volunteer and civic clubs, professional organizations, service and church groups, UH alumni and related groups, educational councils and other community organizations, and will include presentations on all islands.

“Selecting a president for the university is the most important task of the Board of Regents,” said Board Chair John Holzman, who chaired the Selection Committee before assuming leadership of the full board. “We want to take the time to identify the next leader of one of the state’s most visible and valuable institutions and the public’s input has weight with us.”

The Presidential Selection Committee is chaired by Regent Carl Carlson, and includes the following members: Regents Jeffrey Acido, Chuck Gee, James Lee, Barry Mizuno, Saedene Ota, and Jan Sullivan, community/stakeholder representatives Paul Lococo Jr., All Campus Council of Faculty Senate Chairs (ACCFSC), Richard Mizusawa, Student Caucus representative, and Walter Niemczura, UH Administrative, Professional and Technical employees (APT) representative. Ex-officio non-voting members of the committee are Regents John Holzman and Coralie Matayoshi, J. Kuhio Asam, UH Foundation representative, and Dean Maenette Benham, UH Executive and Managerial representative.

“The committee, and the entire Board of Regents, knows how important this university is to the people of Hawai‘i, and we want to hear their suggestions and thoughts on what type of leader we should be looking for,” said Committee Chair Carl Carlson. “We’re hoping to speak with as many residents as possible in the coming months, and encourage those interested to visit our website for updates and to share ideas with us.” The committee’s website www.hawaii.edu/presidentialsearch features a listing of upcoming appearances and various ways to contact the committee.

The selection committee’s outreach began on September 3rd at UH Mānoa with a campus wide conversation at noon, followed by Neighborhood Board appearances in Wai‘anae, ‘Āina Haina and Liliha. The current schedule includes visits to the following locations with additional meetings to be added through December and into 2014 if needed.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013

Waikīkī Neighborhood Board meeting

Waikīkī Community Center

7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013

Nānākuli Neighborhood Board meeting

Nānāikapono Elementary School Cafeteria

7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

Kaimukī Neighborhood Board meeting

Kaimukī Christian School

7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 20, 2013

UH West O‘ahu Campus Conversation

10 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

Kapolei Neighborhood Board meeting

Kapolei High School Cafeteria

7:30 p.m.

Additional community outreach meetings will be posted as they are scheduled at www.hawaii.edu/presidentialsearch.

Community groups wishing to host a Presidential Selection Committee appearance should call Outreach Coordinator Christine Neves at (808) 956-6405 or email the committee at presidentialsearch@hawaii.edu.