RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) conducted a study in 1985, culminating in a report entitled, "The Establishment of an Independent University of Hawaii at Hilo" (January 1986), which made various findings and recommendations concerning the proposal; and

WHEREAS, the LRB study should be updated to reflect current circumstances and demographics which may have changed significantly since 1986; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo) is a comprehensive university with a full range of baccalaureate degrees, a number of master's degrees, and approval for two doctoral programs, and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that a large segment of the County of Hawaii's residents, organizations, and individuals affiliated with UH-Hilo are frustrated with the current condition, status, and overall quality of education at the UH-Hilo campus; and

WHEREAS, one proposal to address this issue involves the establishment of a new institution of higher education, to be called the "Hawaii State University", that incorporates UH-Hilo and is separate and distinct from the University of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State University would be governed by its own board of regents, and run by its own president; and

WHEREAS, over the past seven years, UH-Hilo has increased enrollment by thirty per cent and federal financing by more than five hundred per cent; and

WHEREAS, over the past seven years, UH-Hilo has added two classroom buildings and begun planning for a new privately funded dormitory; and

WHEREAS, a study of the advisability and feasibility of establishing the Hawaii State University to incorporate UH-Hilo would provide direction to the Legislature in making a decision on this matter; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the State of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the LRB is requested to prepare a report on the advisability and feasibility of establishing UH-Hilo as the Hawaii State University, including recommended changes in organization, cost estimates of reorganization, differences of opinion, and other types of information pertinent to this matter so that the Legislature has enough information, as is reasonably attainable, to make an informed decision; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration of the University of Hawaii system and UH-Hilo are requested to cooperate with LRB by furnishing all pertinent data and information requested, and submitting recommendations and opinions with respect to issues for which the LRB may seek input; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LRB is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of the LRB, the Interim President and Chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, the Chancellor of UH-Hilo, and the Chair of the UH-Hilo Student Association.

Report Title:

STUDY; NEW HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION FOR HAWAII COUNTY