STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1391

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 59

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 59 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING TO CREATE AN UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF ROBOTICS AND EXPLORATION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage the College of Engineering of the University of Hawaii to:

     (1)  Create an undergraduate certificate program for robotics and exploration; and

     (2)  Ensure that the certification program is in compliance with the University's academic standards and accreditation policies; and

     (3)  Submit a report on the development of the robotics and exploration certificate program to the 2010 Legislature.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one individual.  One individual provided testimony in opposition.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that, while there is support for the intent of this measure, the University has expressed concerns regarding the creation of a new program when the University faces severe budget reductions over the next two years, if not longer.

     Your Committee understands these concerns, but believes that the concept of an undergraduate certificate program for robotics and exploration has merit and would benefit from further review.

     Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly, by:

     (1)  Amending the title to read:  ENCOURAGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF ROBOTICS AND EXPLORATION PROGRAM;

     (2)  Amending the BE IT RESOLVED clauses to reflect this change;

     (3)  Requesting an interim report to the 2010 Legislature and a final report to the 2011 Legislature; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.

     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.R. No. 59, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 59, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair