September 3, 2003

Chancellor Peter Englert

University of Hawai`i at Manoa

Bachman Hall

Honolulu, HI 96822

Dear Chancellor Englert and Search Committee for the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs,

Dr. Hamilton McCubbin was recently announced to be among four finalists being considered for the position of Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. We commend you for responding to longstanding criticisms that current and past administrations have failed to hire and promote Native Hawaiian faculty as part of a concerted effort to pursue diversity throughout all ranks of the University.

While we continue to have concerns about diversity in hiring at the University, we regret Dr. McCubbinπs selection as a finalist for one of the most powerful positions at UHM raises serious concerns. Dr. McCubbin's distinguished academic career is marked by notable achievements, but it has also in recent years been tarnished by investigations into his workplace interactions with female subordinates.

Here are the facts, as we know them:

1. Dr. McCubbin has twice left an academic institution under circumstances that were publicly associated with allegations of unprofessional conduct.

2. Dr. McCubbin stepped down as Dean of the University of Wisconsin at Madison's School of Human Ecology in 1999 after a female professor filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.

3. Dr. Jikeyong Kang, now a professor at the University of Manchester alleged that Dr. McCubbin pursued an unwanted personal relationship with her over three years, beginning in 1995 while he served as dean of her department (Daysog, 2003a: 2). Among the allegations made by Dr. Kang was that he "repeatedly kissed her against her will, persistently called her at home at night, asked her to massage him, and suggested they have an intimate relationship" (Daysog, 2003a: 2).

4. In early 1999, Dr. Kang's complaint was formally investigated by the University of Wisconsin. That investigation reportedly found Dr. Kang's allegations "revealed no misconduct." However, university officials reported that the investigation "led to discussions between McCubbin and the school's provost and chancellor over the direction of the school" (Daysog, 2003a: 2).

5. Dr. McCubbin stepped down as dean in 1999, after serving 14 years in that position; he returned to the faculty in a tenured position until January, 2000, when he joined the Kamehameha Schools as Chief Executive Officer (Daysog,2003a: 2).

6. In December of 1999, the University of Wisconsin paid $85,813 to Dr. Kang.

7. In May of 2003, it was publicly disclosed that Kamehameha Schools conducted two separate investigations of allegations that Dr. McCubbin "had an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer" (Daysog, 2003b: 1).

8. KITV 4 reported that the investigations were of "an inappropriate relationship with a woman who was one of his secretaries" (Kerr, 2003: 1).

9. Kerr further reported that "two other staffers found out, made a complaint and they have been on leave with pay for the last month or so, as the investigation continued (Kerr, 2003: 1). The Honolulu Star Bulletin added that "the employees, who are on stress leave, were concerned that their co-worker may have been receiving preferential treatment as a result of an alleged relationship≤ with Dr. McCubbin (Daysog, 2003b: 2).

10. The second investigation was completed about a week before Dr. McCubbin "abruptly resigned" from a position that paid him $350,000 "several months after he signed a three year contract extension" (Daysog, 2003b:2). In public statements, Dr. McCubbin himself stated that he resigned from his position at Kamehameha in order to spend more time with his children and grandchildren on the mainland, and on his writing and academic career.

We can't know the ultimate truth of these troubling allegations. However, all of us in our University and Hawai`i community should be concerned about the impact of these contentions on Dr. McCubbinπs role within his next academic position. The position for which Dr. McCubbin is applying is one of the most important and sensitive positions at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. All academic matters, including tenure and promotion decisions are funneled through this office, as are investigations and grievances stemming from sexual harassment complaints involving members of the faculty.

We assume that at least these very public allegations of sexual misconduct were thoroughly investigated by the search committee and the Office of the Chancellor, and discussed as well with Dr. McCubbin prior to placing him on the ≥short list≤ of finalists for the Vice Chancellor. However, such private discussions cannot allay the personal and professional concerns and understandable fears of women on this campus who would have to deal with Dr. McCubbin should he be appointed.

All of us who have decades of work with and concerns about womenπs issues ≠ and we assume this is also true of your office - are well-aware that the majority of sexual misconduct cases do not come to the attention of the authorities charged with investigating such allegations. It is a very courageous employee and/or colleagues who come forward to report concerns about sexual harassment or misconduct towards themselves or others in the workplace.

The details ≠ both the allegations and lack of response - surrounding Dr. McCubbinπs last two professional positions are and should be seriously disquieting to any future employer, but also to anyone concerned about the well-being of students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawai`i.

We urge you and the search committee to ask hard questions and to consider the implications of hiring a candidate with such serious and very public allegations against him. And in the end we hope that you as Chancellor, and the search committee as advisors to the process are confident that the candidate you select will be representative of the highest academic, professional and ethical standards of the University of Hawai`i and one who is committed to the health and safety of your students, faculty and staff.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Annelle Amaral, Planned Parenthood

Meda Chesney-Lind, UHM Womenπs Studies

Allicyn Hikida-Tasaka, Hawai`i State Commission on the Status of Women

Val Kalei Kanuha, UHM School of Social Work

Christine Quemuel, UHM Womenπs Center

References:

Rick Daysog, 2003. "$85,813 paid in McCubbin complaint: A Wisconsin college settled charges filed by a female professor." Honolulu Star Bulletin. Wednesday, May 7, pgs 1-3. http:llstarbulletin.com/2003/05/07/news/story 2.html.

Daysog, Rick. 2003. "McCubbin resigned after 2 inquiries." Honolulu Star Bulletin. http:llstarbulletin.com/2003/05/08/news/story 2.html.

Kerr, Keoki. 2003. "Kamehameha Schools CEO resigns While Under Investigation." May 5. The Hawai`i Channel http:www.theHawai`ichannel.com/print/2181542/detail.html?use=print.

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