STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1528

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 137

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 137 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO DESIGN A LONG-TERM COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to improve financial efficiency by requesting the University of Hawaii to establish a long-term comprehensive financial plan.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that the State dedicates substantial financial resources to the University of Hawaii and, thereby, maintains a vested interest in the success of the system.  Budgeting of state funds to the University of Hawaii that optimizes efficiency and effectiveness of operations is reliant upon a clear financial plan that is linked to equally clear objectives of the university system, its campuses, and its programs.  Your Committee finds that the legislatures of many other jurisdictions are undertaking actions to align funding for their public universities and colleges with the current and future needs and priorities of those states.  This measure seeks a similar approach of gaining information from the University of Hawaii regarding its long-term financial plans and priorities to assist the Legislature in making future budgeting decisions that will support the goals of and are consistent with the objectives of the university.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 137 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair