THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

180

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

reQUESTING the University of Hawaii to conduct a study OF STATE funding criteria and models utilized AT OTHER PUBLICLY FUNDED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR A PER STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA.

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii's (UH) net operating funds have increased only modestly over the past five years, and during the same period enrollments system-wide have increased thirteen per cent, resulting in a greater variance between general funds received and the number of students enrolled; and

WHEREAS, increased autonomy for UH would be better served if funding decisions are based upon mutually accepted criteria that reflect the priorities of the State and UH, rather than the current options of lump sum or line item funding; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii should design a funding model of higher education that promotes greater efficiency and planning in the institution; and

WHEREAS, higher education funding formulas are successful when the State and its people have as a goal the maximization of participation and excellence in higher education as well as the maximization of social and economic benefits of education; and

WHEREAS, there are many other states, such as California, and other countries, such as Aotearoa, that employ funding formulas to allocate public resources to higher education; and

WHEREAS, the State of California utilizes a formula that differentiates between students based on the institution attended, research conducted, and the comprehensiveness of the program; and

WHEREAS, Aotearoa utilizes a formula that differentiates between students based upon the type of discipline; and

WHEREAS, formula-based funding could provide greater flexibility to the Legislature by emphasizing certain workforce development areas, such as teacher education or nursing, that would offer a greater incentive for students studying in those areas; and

WHEREAS, formula-based funding could provide an incentive based driver:

(1) For expansion of UH where it needs development;

(2) For reduction of UH where it needs minimization;

(3) To formulate disciplined decisions regarding academically critical areas and must be subsidized under all circumstances; and

WHEREAS, there are many criteria to consider in determining an optimal formula, including enrollment, strategic initiatives, teaching and research performance indicators, and peer comparisons; and

WHEREAS, the determination of an appropriate basis on which funding decisions should be made needs careful analysis, calculation, and institutional research that is not available at this time; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the UH is requested to conduct a study of funding criteria and models, including formula-based funding, utilized at other publicly funded institutions of higher education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UH is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations of alternative funding criteria and models, including the optimal criteria for providing appropriate and adequate funding for the State of Hawaii's system of higher education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Regents of the UH is requested to report on the status of a per student funding formula for UH Manoa to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2006 and on the status of a per student funding formula for UH-Hilo, UH-West Oahu, and the UH's seven community colleges no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of

the Board of Regents of the UH, the UH Interim President, and the UH Chancellors of the Manoa campus.

Report Title:

UH; REPORT; PER STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA