Closed door meetings in UH president selection process prompts community backlash

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The next president of the University of Hawaii could be decided in the next 48 hours, but it’s happening behind closed doors, prompting criticism.
Julian Vasquez Heilig and Wendy Hensel are the two candidates in the running for UH president, a role traditionally chosen by the UH Board of Regents.
There have been growing calls for more community involvement in the final decision-making, and some students and faculty made a last-ditch effort, but the regents said no.
“Once again, the BOR chooses secrecy over transparency, hiding from the very people it is meant to serve,” said one student.
“The community has a right to witness decisions that will shape this institution’s future,” said a faculty member.
The UH board of regents listened to 30 minutes of often passionate public testimony, but chairperson Gabriel Lee stood firm.
“Given privacy interests involved, not just of the applicants themselves but also respecting the privacy interests of the references and members of our community who specifically chose to submit confidential feedback,” said Lee.
Over the last several months, there have been public forums for the two finalists across the state.
There has also been a 12-person presidential search advisory group with student involvement.
The board is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, where a decision could be made.
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