THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	153
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the University of Hawaii System, in consultation with the Council of Chief Academic Officers, to develop a comprehensive approach to the teaching of engineering at University campuses statewide.

     WHEREAS, the State's economic development goal of encouraging an innovation-based economy relies on workforce proficiencies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and requires that students have broad opportunities to learn the advanced skills necessary to succeed in a more complex society; and

     WHEREAS, currently the University of Hawaii System offers a number of engineering programs statewide, ranging from applied technical education programs at the Community Colleges to Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Degree programs at the University level; and

     WHEREAS, further development of engineering programs is a matter of statewide concern and would provide wide-ranging academic and economic opportunities for the State; and

     WHEREAS, additional engineering programs would address state needs for a skilled workforce with both experience and training in high priority areas for science and technology economic development in the State; and

     WHEREAS, additional engineering curriculum offerings would allow the University of Hawaii System to excel in applied and basic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research fields that provide the hands-on experiences essential for its graduates to be competitive in the global discovery and innovation enterprise; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System, in consultation with the Council of Chief Academic Officers, is requested to develop a comprehensive approach to the teaching of engineering at University campuses statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing a comprehensive approach to the teaching of engineering statewide, the University of Hawaii System and the Council of Chief Academic Officers are requested to include, but not be limited to the following considerations:

     (1)  An assessment of engineering academic and workforce needs in the State;

     (2)  The cost of program implementation on a statewide, campus-by-campus basis, including the current budgetary environment, initial implementation, and a review of continuing operational costs;

     (3)  Potential articulation and transfer among campuses;

     (4)  Academic considerations, such as accreditation and faculty availability, and how the effort fits with existing or planned programs at other campuses;

     (5)  An evaluation of the current proposals to establish an applied engineering program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and an engineering technology program at Maui Community College; and

     (6)  A proposed implementation schedule; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii System is request to submit its findings and recommendations, including any budgetary requests and proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the

University of Hawaii System, Council of Chief Academic Officers, and Chairperson of the Board of Regents.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

UH System; Engineering; Comprehensive Approach