The University of Hawaii is one step closer to selecting a new president as the Board of Regents conducted in-person interviews Thursday with finalists Wendy Hensel and Julian Heilig.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The University of Hawaii is one step closer to selecting a new president as the Board of Regents conducted in-person interviews Thursday with finalists Wendy Hensel and Julian Heilig.
However, the interviews were held in executive session, raising concerns among faculty and students about transparency in the selection process.
Testifiers expressed frustration over the closed nature of the proceedings.
“You are talking about the qualifications of the next UH president,” one testifier said, emphasizing the need for public discussion unless specific legal matters warranted a closed session.
Another urged that the selection process be conducted openly to ensure community engagement, calling the decision to hold interviews in private “incredibly disappointing.”
Regents will reconvene tomorrow for further discussions behind closed doors, with an announcement on the new president expected shortly thereafter.
Current President David Lassner is set to retire at the end of the year.