Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 97 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a management audit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Student Housing Services department.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii, over fifty students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii. The University of Hawaii at Manoa Interim Chancellor provided information.

Your Committee believes that student housing is an integral part of the university experience. Student housing not only provides affordable access for non-residents, but serves an important and vital role in providing local residents with access to higher education. Of the 2,700 student housing residents surveyed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa Student Housing Services, twenty-four percent come from the neighbor islands and nearly twenty percent are from Oahu. Student housing should provide a variety of learning-centered residential communities where residents feel safe and supported, are treated fairly, and can enjoy an environment that supports academic success.

Your Committee heard testimony from current and former student housing residents. One student testified that she had been sexually harassed by University of Hawaii at Manoa privately-contracted security guards while in the dormitory parking area. One former Resident Advisor testified that a supervisor rented out dorm rooms during the summer to ineligible students in violation of the Housing Policy on subletting, that the supervisor was embezzling funds from the Resident Hall Association for personal use, and that the supervisor had threatened residents with bodily harm.

Furthermore, several students testified that Student Housing charges a mandatory fee, called the Resident Hall Association Dues, to residents prior to room check-in, but they believe the fee is imposed in violation of Board of Regents policy. As listed under the Student Affairs section, the two objectives of the student housing program are to "uniquely characterize student housing as both an educational program and an administrative function that is managed in accordance with the highest operational, personnel and fiscal standards." These objectives are clearly stated and there is no reference made to the establishment of the Residence Hall Association, required membership, or mandatory fee associated with the organization. Regarding student housing activities, the Board of Regents policy states that "the student housing rate structure is intended to cover all operating costs including debt service and the costs of providing an educationally-oriented student life experience."

In addition, several students testified with regard to Student Housing officials violating their right to free speech by confiscating 3,000 letters the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii planned to send to housing residents. Students also testified about specific disciplinary cases against them and the delays in getting an appeal to housing officials’ actions, causing extended displacement from their dorm and affecting their academics. One former resident cited the lack of attention and resolution in addressing an infestation of bed bugs that occurred in her dorm room, causing her to sleep on the dining table. One student testified she was the victim of retaliation by the housing staff after she reported the housing staff for not enforcing housing policies. The President of the Inter-Resident Hall Association as well as a former Resident Advisor testified that Resident Advisors lack sufficient training to perform their duties well. For example, the former Resident Advisor was required to identify the smell of marijuana, yet the training did not indicate what marijuana smells like. Housing officials affirmed that the training provided to housing staff is not from a certified or established training program.

Two Resident Advisors testified that not all students are unhappy, but that their jobs can be difficult given the peer environment they work in and the rules they must enforce.

Notwithstanding the efforts of the Interim Chancellor, your Committee is concerned about the seriousness of the allegations raised by the students, especially as they relate to health, safety, and due process, and to what appears to be a lack of administrative leadership. In fact, the Interim Chancellor stated in her testimony, "[t]he [Student Housing Services] organizational structure has long been isolated from upper campus. Within Housing, the organization is fragmented. Lacking a permanent director, or vice chancellor is challenging." Your Committee recognizes that housing staff have a difficult task and that they are committed to doing a good job. However, without adequate and stable leadership, University of Hawaii at Manoa Student Housing Services will continue to raise concerns. Therefore, your Committee believes that adoption of this measure will complement the Interim Chancellor’s efforts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 97, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 97, S.D. 1.