HONOLULU -- It's been two years since Evan Dobelle was hired as University of Hawaii president. UH regents are now reviewing his performance.

Officials said Dobelle is out of town.

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UH regents, however, met behind closed doors at an off-campus site Wednesday. They were getting feedback from various UH stakeholders about how Dobelle is doing.

Dobelle promised to raise money and change the university system for the better. His critics are being asked to evaluate how well he has done.

"It's been a tough two years. I don't think anybody will say anything different. We ultimately… this university is better off than it was a year ago and two years ago," University of Hawaii Professional Assembly union leader J.N. Musto said.

Musto is one of a number of stakeholders who have been asked for input.

Dobelle's review comes just as the University of Hawaii Manoa campus has secured accreditation through 2010. The glowing report from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges is a sharp contrast to one issued in 1999 that cited major problems with leadership governance and communication.

"It reflects positively on the entire campus," UH Manoa Vice Chancellor Karl Kim said.

The report will be weighed along with the criticism of Dobelle from UH faculty and lawmakers.

"It's not just an external review and validation of what we are doing. This is an important part of quality insurance," Kim said.

Accreditation is key to the university because it means access to federal money in the form of financial aid and research grants. The faculty union points out its members have secured a record $300 million this year. Musto said that's about the same amount as the university's operating budget.

UH regents are expected to complete Dobelle's review next month.