Though he had critics, UC Merced Chancellor Kang wasn't forced out

While many have praised the leadership of outgoing UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang, others have said he lacked the style and vigor needed to fight on behalf of the youngest campus in the University of California system.

Kang announced his resignation Thursday.

The abrupt nature of his announcement has raised questions about whether or not his style of leadership was responsible for losing him the support of Merced's political establishment.

Sources with knowledge of the matter told the Sun-Star that Kang was "not a good fit" for Merced and that his "wishy-washy" leadership wasn't what the school needed in its infancy. The sources did not want to be named because of their ongoing relationship with the university.

Kang and University of California leadership disagree.

University of California Provost Lawrence Pitts said Kang has done a fine job of leading the university during a time of budget shortfalls across the state. Pitts said Kang's departure had nothing to do with performance.

While Pitts admitted there was some disaffection on campus, it shouldn't be blamed on Kang. Many on the faculty came expecting quicker expansion of the campus and staff, but the financial crisis and state budget woes have slowed that process down. "All of a sudden the money stopped flowing," he said.

Kang, who described himself as a consensus builder, said he's worked hard on behalf of UC Merced.

Last year when some professors from other UC campuses proposed shutting down UC Merced in favor of shifting limited resources to the more established campuses, Kang called UC President Mark Yudof. "I contacted President Yudof and he immediately shut (the talk) down," said Kang.

The most important victory under his leadership, according to Kang, was when the university's footprint was given the green light in 2009 after years of environmental hurdles. "It was far more complicated than I ever imagined," he said.

Kang said that in the past five years the university has grown from virtually nothing to an expanding university with a staff and student body to be proud of. Much of that happened under his leadership, he said. "I couldn't be prouder," he said.

Another source familiar with Kang and critical of his leadership style said some people were upset over some of the difficult decisions Kang has had to make. For example, the source said Kang's decision to push harder for more faculty -- and not the medical school -- didn't make everyone happy.

Kang said he fought for both, noting that advocating for the medical school and faculty has been a "balancing act" and that he's been able to effectively push for both.

Josh Franco, former UC Merced class president in 2006-2007, who was part of the selection committee that appointed Kang, said Kang had a different leadership style from the founding chancellor, Carol Tomlinson-Keasey.

Tomlinson-Keasey, who died in 2009 from cancer, fought for the school with passion and charisma.

"Kang was more of a consensus builder," Franco said. "Her objective was to build a university and ensure it would be there forever. Kang was to ensure that the long-term plans were cemented."

"People were expecting someone who would fight for the campus the way Keasey did," Franco added. "The way Kang fought for the campus was different. That's two different approaches but (Kang) provided a level of energy and stability for a campus that is growing."

Kang, 65, who took office in 2007, is the university's second chancellor since the school opened in 2005. He will stay on as chancellor into 2011.

Reporter Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.