Hawaii Proposes Vetting Commission for Trustees  

Last month, Hawaii Senators Donna Mercado Kim and Donovan Dela Cruz introduced Senate Bill 2991, which sought to “modify the appointment process for the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii” by removing the requirement “that the Governor can only appoint from pools of candidates presented by the Candidate Advisory Council for the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.” ACTA Chief of Staff Armand Alacbay wrote a letter in support of the bill, quoting ACTA’s report Governance for a New Era: “Many would argue for specific board seats allotted by constituency or vetting commissions that would reduce gubernatorial responsibility. These efforts are misguided; it is incumbent upon sitting trustees to represent the broader public interest. It is also important that appointing power rest with those who are directly accountable; commissions lack that accountability.” ACTA’s letter to the legislators is below: 

Dear Senator: 

I want to reach out to you in light of your recent work on SB2991. As a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation of academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) appreciates your efforts to strengthen accountability in higher education.  

I have included a copy of Governance for a New Era, the product of a summit of 22 distinguished policymakers led by former Yale University president and chairman of the City University of New York Board of Trustees Benno Schmidt, and including former Michigan Governor John Engler, former Florida Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan, and former U.S. Representative Tom McMillen.   

In discussing the role of the governor, the report notes that while “many would argue for specific board seats allotted by constituency or vetting commissions that would reduce gubernatorial responsibility… these efforts are misguided; it is incumbent upon sitting trustees to represent the broader public interest. It is also important that appointing power rest with those who are directly accountable; commissions lack that accountability.”  

In this spirit, I would like to offer our aid if there is any way we can be of assistance. If there is anything we can do to help your efforts to support SB2991, or with any other matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. 

We are immensely grateful for your commitment to American higher education, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future. 

Sincerely, 
Armand B. Alacbay 
Vice President of Trustee & Government Affairs