THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	80
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the University of Hawaii at Hilo to consider the feasibility of establishing an Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that the mission of the University of Hawaii at Hilo has evolved and expanded in recent years from a principally undergraduate teaching institution to one with a significant research focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Hilo reports remarkable growth in its research effort in the first seven years of this decade, with increases of 462.5 per cent in funding and 341 per cent in the number of awards; and

     WHEREAS, this has been supported in large part by grants from the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR); and

     WHEREAS, the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is an important alignment with the State's economic development goal of encouraging an innovation-based economy, which depends on providing students with the advanced skills necessary to succeed in a more complex society; and

     WHEREAS, in 2008, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo established the Interim Vice Chancellor for Research position; and

     WHEREAS, currently the Interim Vice Chancellor for Research is Dr. Michael Crosby, who is on sabbatical from his position as the Executive Director of the National Science Board; and

     WHEREAS, during Dr. Crosby's tenure, University of Hawaii at Hilo faculty, community leaders, and research support staff have developed a new synergy, a sense of collaboration, and partnership; and

     WHEREAS, despite these successes, this interim position will cease to exist in January 2010; and

     WHEREAS, establishing a permanent Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development will serve as a focal point for the provision, strategic leveraging, and coordination of administrative support services necessary to facilitate the growth and expansion of research efforts at the University as well as the successful application and award of grant funds and other extramural funds to support those research efforts, the research experiences of students, and the stimulation of science and technology businesses in the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the University of Hawaii at Hilo is urged to consider the feasibility of establishing an Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Hilo include, but not be limited to, the following considerations regarding the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development:

     (1)  The role of the Office as the overarching institutional focal point for the coordination of all undergraduate and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentorship programs and the integration of ongoing and future research projects;

     (2)  The responsibility of the Office to increase the participation of underrepresented cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups from the Pacific Islands in undergraduate and graduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;

     (3)  The responsibility of the Office for all budgeting and fiscal aspects of research grants in order to allow both faculty and students to focus their efforts more directly on their research, education, and training;

     (4)  The responsibility of the Office in leading the efforts of the University of Hawaii at Hilo in science and technology economic development, encouraging interdisciplinary activities, and fostering programs that promote the science and technology-related economic progress of the State; and

     (5)  The short-term and long-term funding requirements, including potential sources of federal, state, and private funds, necessary to establish and maintain the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, any related faculty, technical, and administrative positions, and any related teaching, laboratory, equipment, or other capital requirements; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Hilo is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any budget 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, President of the University of Hawaii System, and Chairperson of the Board of Regents.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

UH Hilo; Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development