(BIVN) – The interim chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo recently announced the institution will proceed with a phased reorganization plan, even as an advisory committee has been appointed to find a permanent chancellor.

In a December 22 message to staff that was also posted on the UH-Hilo chancellor’s blog, Marcia Sakai said the university is moving forward with the formation of the College of Natural and Health Sciences, effective July 1, 2018. The effort is part of a reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Sakai said she recently met with UH System President David Lassner to discuss what she learned during a series of meetings with faculty held during the fall. Sakai said Lassner “agrees with and supports my recommendation to proceed with a phased reorganization plan,” which will begin with the formation of the College of Natural and Health Sciences in July.

“During this period of transition, I hope we can all continue to work together to move the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo forward with a focus on serving our students and community,” Sakai wrote. “While there are still some uncertainties on the road ahead, I remain fully committed to working collaboratively with you as interim chancellor.”

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Search Advisory Committee will begin meeting immediately, UH officials say. “A local, national and international search will be opened with the assistance of a professional firm, and the committee hopes to begin screening applicants and nominees by the end of February 2018,” the University said in a December 19 media release.

“The next chancellor will be critical in strengthening UH Hiloʻs unique position in the state and beyond,” said President Lassner, who will receive input from the committee and stakeholders and will then present a recommendation for appointment to the Board of Regents. “UH Hilo is enriched by an amazing natural environment for learning and research, a deep grounding in Native Hawaiian language, culture and community, and remarkable faculty and student diversity—all enveloped by the warmth of the welcoming Hilo community. The next chancellor must lead the campus vigorously forward to serve Hawaiʻi Island and the state as a vital part of the UH System with a spirit of innovation and collaboration in order to adapt to the changing environment for higher education in Hawaiʻi and across the nation,” Lassner said.

According to the university, the 16-member search advisory committee includes representation from UH Hilo faculty, students, staff, the Hanakahi Native Hawaiian council and community leaders. All committee members share a common commitment to the future of UH Hilo.

Co-Chairs

• Farrah-Marie Gomes, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UH Hilo
• Vassilis Syrmos, Vice President for Research and Innovation, UH System

Committee members

• Diane Barrett, Chair and Professor, School of Education, UH Hilo
• Philippe Binder, Professor of Physics, Natural Sciences Division, UH Hilo
• Lois Fujiyoshi, Executive Director of Budget and Business Management, UH Hilo
• Kerri Inglis, Chair of Social Sciences Division and Professor of Hawaiian and Pacific History, UH Hilo
• Gerald De Mello, Retired Director of University Relations, UH Hilo
• Carolyn Ma, Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy and Associate Professor, UH Hilo
• M. Kāhealani Naeʻole-Wong, Poʻo Kula (Head of School), Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus
• Joni Onishi, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Hawaiʻi Community College
• Sherrie Padilla, Enrollment Services Manager and Director of Financial Aid, UH Hilo
• Isaac Pang, Graduate Student in Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, UH Hilo
• Kaleihiʻiikapoli Rapoza, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, UH Hilo
• Jennifer Stotter, Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action, UH Hilo
• Misaki Takabayashi, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor, UH Hilo
• Victoria Taomia, Vice President of UH Hilo Student Association