KCC chancellor’s removal urged

The faculty senate at Kapiolani Community College is formally calling on University of Hawaii administrators to remove Chancellor Leon Richards from his job, after a lopsided vote of no confidence in him.

In a poll of faculty and staff conducted by the senate via electronic ballot, 13 of the college’s 16 departments and units voted against Richards’ leadership and management, while three supported him.

On Thursday the senate sent a resolution announcing the results to Richards, UH Vice President of Community Colleges John Morton, UH President David Lassner and UH Board of Regents Chairman Randolph Moore.

“Be it further moved that John Morton, vice president of community colleges, remove the chancellor from all decision-making authority, ask the chancellor to resign, and remove the chancellor from campus immediately,” the resolution said.

Morton visited KCC on Friday and spoke with faculty members. UH spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said Thursday that Morton was reviewing the situation.

“He has received the resolution from the faculty, and he will be considering it during his normal annual review of the chancellor, which is currently underway,” Meisenzahl said.

Richards sent an email to the KCC community Thursday saying change was in store for the campus but that it would take time.

“A lot was said during the two open forums last week,” he wrote. “You spoke about transparency, consensus building, fear, morale, communication, safety, collaboration and frustration, and I want you to know that I heard you. Changes will not happen overnight but they will happen.”

Asked whether he had considered retiring or resigning, Richards told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that he hadn’t thought deeply about his next steps.

“Since I just got the outcomes today, I’ve not had a chance to talk with family and with friends,” he said Thursday. “I think decision-making at this particular stage should involve my family, not only in terms of at home, but also the KCC ohana here.

“I would like that time to at least contemplate to see how we can make things better,” he added. “All of this came as a shock.”

Faculty members generally declined to speak on the record about their concerns about the chancellor, some citing fears of retaliation. Political science professor Joe Overton questioned whether the vote genuinely reflected faculty opinion.

“You can play the numbers game and say 13 out of 16, but you can also say, all right, that is based simply on those who voted,” Overton said.

Richards began teaching at KCC in 1977 and served as acting chancellor for two years before getting the permanent job in July 2007. He said he does not have a contract with the university and serves at the pleasure of the president.

In his email, Richards praised the KCC community. “Your dedication, passion and hard work are the reasons why Kapiolani Community College leads the University of Hawaii system in so many areas, and there is much to be thankful for, but there is so much more to do,” he wrote.

The no-confidence vote was held after a survey of faculty conducted by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly gave Richard’s the lowest ranking of all 10 UH chancellors. More than 78 percent of respondents said his contract should not be renewed.

Survey respondents faulted the chancellor for failing to support and let the faculty make academic decisions; failing to communicate, collaborate and make timely decisions; failing to support the school’s mission or constituents; and permitting a hostile work environment.

KCC students have won national and international awards, particularly in the science, technology and culinary fields, during Richards’ tenure, professor Robin-Claire Mann said. In recent years KCC has become the largest community college in the state. The chancellor has bolstered international enrollment, bringing in much-needed funds to the campus, Overton said.