RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology was established by the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii in 1988, to bring the University's resources in ocean, atmospheric, and earth sciences; ocean engineering; and alternative energy research and training under unified leadership; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's location in the Pacific, its geological origins and processes, and its abundant natural resources, including a 2,000,000 square mile Exclusive Economic Zone, provide University of Hawaii scientists with unique research opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology enhances educational opportunities in ocean and earth science and technology for the people of Hawaii, the nation, and the Pacific Basin; and

WHEREAS, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology has brought the University of Hawaii at Manoa to preeminence in research and development in ocean and earth science and technology, currently ranking it third in the nation in federally funded oceanographic research (dollars); and

WHEREAS, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology has established extensive cooperative research and educational programs with Japan and other partner nations in the Pacific; and

WHEREAS, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, by virtue of the unique synergy between the assembled faculties of its component disciplines, provides a foundation for the development of marine-related industries within the State; and

WHEREAS, section 304-8.1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, established the Research and Training Revolving Fund at the University of Hawaii to support "[r]esearch and training purposes which may result in additional research and training grants and contracts"; and

WHEREAS, for research units such as the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, which obtained $60,000,000 in extramural support, the return of Research and Training Revolving Fund moneys to the source units provides the essential means to continue attracting grant and contracting revenues and the financial flexibility to remain entrepreneurial and to aggressively pursue growth in research areas of economic importance to the State and nation; and

WHEREAS, the centralization of authority over the Research and Training Revolving Fund, faculty hiring, and all such management prerogatives formerly held by the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology's leadership undermines the entrepreneurial dynamism essential to the School's continuing success; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature reaffirms its support for the faculties and leadership of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and their efforts to maintain existing and establish new multidisciplinary and inter-institutional academic and research programs benefiting the University of Hawaii, the State, and the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the University of Hawaii and the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii are strongly urged to accord the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, in recognition of its national and international standing, the efficiency and skill of its management, and the outstanding quality of its faculties, a standing within the University of Hawaii that will ensure, through continued autonomy in the management of its resources of funds, facilities, and personnel, the continued success of the School as the University's premier research institution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, President of the University of Hawaii, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

Report Title:

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology; Support