Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1788 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the terms of members of the University of Hawaii's Board of Regents from four to ten years.

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that, while there are a variety of term lengths found among universities across the country, on average governing officials serve between six to eight years. The University of Hawaii has sought and received increased levels of autonomy over the last 18 years. The responsibility of managing a state university system comprising more than 10 major campuses, over 50,000 students and an $800 million budget can be a daunting task for volunteers. Your Committee finds that responsibility to ensure successful management of the University requires a length of term that will allow regents the opportunity to learn the "ins and outs" of the University's operations. Such a length of term will not only provide the governing body with experienced members, but will also send the message that the regents have made a full commitment to time and effort.

Your Committee has amended this measure to clarify that the term of office, other than that of the student member, shall be limited to one ten-year term, and that the appointment process is subject to Senate confirmation pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1788, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1788, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.