She’s not done yet
July 30, 2008
Rose Tseng, chancellor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, says she’s got plenty of things on her to-do list before she steps down from her current position in December 2009. Since Tseng became chancellor in 1998, outside grants for scientific research at UHH have increased from $3 million a year to about $20 million. - Photos By William Ing/Hawaii Tribune-Herald
UHH chancellor Tseng has projects to finish before departing post
by John Burnett
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
Published: Monday, July 28, 2008 9:15 AM HST
It’s been nearly two months since Rose Tseng informed the University of Hawaii regents that she would step down as chancellor of UH-Hilo in December 2009.
Tseng, who has presided over a decade of unprecedented growth at UHH, talked to the Tribune-Herald last week, discussing her plans and hopes for the 17 months she has remaining in the school’s top spot. Attired in a tasteful black dress and long-sleeved red jacket and impeccably coiffed in her trademark semi-wedge, Tseng radiated the energy of a woman half her age and carried herself like the long-time institutional CEO she is.
“Whatever you do, please don’t describe me as a lame duck,” said Tseng, who is in her mid-60s. “I’m too young and there’s too much still to be done.”
Tseng said she gave the regents more than a year-and-a-half notice “so they can take their time and find a good permanent replacement,” adding that she will probably not have a role in the search for her successor. She’ll take a sabbatical for the entire 2010 calendar year, then return to UH-Hilo in a still-to-be-determined capacity for two years before retiring.
“I was a (United Nations) consultant,” she said. “I could use my international connections for the university. I could do fundraising. I’m very big on grants, getting foundation money — and I would have more free time to do that. I could do (technological consulting). I have a lot of connections in Silicon Valley. … There are a lot of possibilities. Then, there’s teaching. There’s nothing wrong with that. I love to teach, too. There are just too many options (laughs). … There are still 21/2 years before I have to decide.
“There’s also what the new chancellor wants, how he or she thinks I can best help.”
If Tseng returns to the lecture hall or the lab — which seems unlikely — she is a full professor with a Ph.D. in nutritional science who minored in biochemistry and physiology. She has spoken extensively on leadership and said it’s possible she could teach leadership at the school’s College of Business and Economics.
Since Tseng became chancellor in 1998, outside grants for scientific research at UHH have increased from $3 million a year to about $20 million. The student population has also grown, from under 3,000 to over 3,600 — not the 5,000 students officials had projected, but enough to cause a serious shortage of both on- and off-campus housing. She has been working to remedy the situation.
Bridgecreek International, a private developer, has signed a lease to build and operate the China-U.S. Center — a cultural center with a hotel, commercial space and housing for up to 1,200 students — across Kawili Street from the UHH campus just mauka of Waiakea High School. Groundbreaking, which has been postponed twice, is now scheduled for late this year or in early 2009 for the first of four 300-student dormitory buildings.
“We’re the only (campus in Hawaii) to completely (fund) a building with private money without state funding,” Tseng said. “Frear Hall at (UH) Manoa has $25 million in state funding. We are not using any state dollars. It will be about $75 million to $80 million, all private money.”
It was also announced last week that Place Properties of Atlanta plans to construct and manage a 400-student dorm project on Honpa Hongawanji Mission of Hawaii land makai of the Waiakea High soccer field on Kawili. The projected price tag is $40 million-$50 million in private funds and the development is contingent upon rezoning approval for the property.
The $14 million Student Life Center is slated to open this fall, with a state-of-the-art exercise facility, Olympic-sized swimming pool, conference rooms and a snack bar. Ground should also be broken this year for a new Science and Technology Building, which will be on the West Lanikaula Street site of the soon-to-be-demolished Beaumont Agricultural Station.
“I don’t have a specific deadline for anything,” she said. “Facilities-wise, I want to finish the Student Life Center and some dorms. The Science and Technology Building is something I have pushed from the beginning, because I think (the island) is a good natural laboratory. And I want the local kids to have a high-end research center where they can study. We’re (also) expanding the Student Service Building. We have $24 million to do that.”
But not everything is rosy, pardon the pun. Former athletic director Kathy McNally was forced out earlier this year when it was found that the department was running some $500,000 in the red. Luoluo Hong was named interim AD in addition to her duties as vice chancellor for academic affairs. A nationwide search is under way for a replacement.
“We have never restricted athletics money,” Tseng said. “We have cut some of the travel that’s not needed and we are trying to streamline the travel costs.”
Travel expenses are unlikely to improve. The rising price of fuel and loss of airline seats in Hawaii after the collapse of Aloha and ATA airlines will almost certainly continue to affect the department.
“We did request $85,000 more next year for travel costs because (athletic teams) have to travel,” Tseng said. “Athletics are very important and their mission is very important. We want very good scholar-athletes, not just people brought in here to win just for winning. … The next athletic director will have to find this balance.”
Tseng also said the stagnant state economy has caused the governor and state legislature to order belt-tightening across the board for the current fiscal year.
“About $800,000 I have to cut,” she noted. “It’s not easy, especially when we’re growing and adding new programs.”
The school expects enrollment to increase to 5,000 students, which Tseng called “a target, rather than a goal,” by 2014, according to Gerald De Mello, director of university relations.
“We will probably get to 5,000 in a few years, but there has to be enrollment management,” Tseng said. “It has to be quality first. We don’t want to increase the numbers and then not have the resources to help these students. Then there are dormitories. If we don’t have enough dormitory rooms, we cannot get to 5,000.”
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