The Board of Regents voted yesterday to extend University of Hawaii president M.R.C. Greenwood contract through July 31, 2015.

Board members said they decided to reward her with the three-year extension because of her performance.

"We believe Dr. Greenwood has demonstrated her effectiveness and her commitment to UH," board Chairman Howard Karr said. "The regents are confident that the university and the state of Hawaii will benefit from her continued leadership."

Karr said during a time of drastic budget cuts, Greenwood moved forward on several critical projects, including major research initiatives, such as the university’s Cancer Center and the proposed 30-meter telescope on Mauna Kea.

Regents praised Greenwood’s role in convening the first Hawaii Higher Education Summit last fall and placing the university’s athletic teams in the Mountain West and Big West conferences.

The regents also were pleased with Greenwood’s participation on the host committee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting later this year.

All previous conditions in her contract remain the same, including $5,000 a month housing allowance for living at a residence other than the university president’s house in Manoa, after it required renovation.

Greenwood’s contract calls for her to be paid $475,000 yearly but she has voluntarily taken a 10 percent reduction in light of pay reductions by other administrators.