STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1737

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 140

       S.D. 1

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. 140 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE FORMATION OF A UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SECOND CENTURY PROMISE TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the advancement and improvement of the University of Hawaii system by establishing a task force for developing a funding formula for state funds for the system.

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

     Your Committee finds that the year 2007 marks the one hundredth anniversary for the University of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that over the past century, the University of Hawaii has grown into a world-renowned institution that supports ten campuses and offers in excess of six hundred twenty degrees and certificates.  Moving forward toward the next centennial, efforts must continue to support the expansion, growth, and diversification of the University of Hawaii to ensure that it remains a highly respected and influential institution in the Pacific and throughout the world.  To continue with the University's progression and advancement, it is important for the Legislature to ensure that the University is properly funded to maximize its operational efficiency and effectiveness. 

     This measure seeks to address these issues through the establishment of a task force, composed of interested and knowledgeable individuals, to consider the relationship between the State, the University of Hawaii, and the students and develop objectives and benchmarks for funding appropriate funding to meet those goals. 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the composition of the task force to include the Hawaii Educational Policy Center and to exclude the Governor, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, and the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education; and

     (2)  Specifying that the task force is requested to examine input and perspectives of the National Center for Higher Education and the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education.

     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. 140, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 140, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair