STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2740

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2905

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2905 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to:

     (1)  Fund five part-time graduate assistant and student employee (2.5 FTE) positions to conduct and disseminate research relating to Asian American and Pacific Islander students in higher education; and

     (2)  Provide direct services to undergraduate and graduate students interested in diversity careers in student affairs and higher education.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System Vice President for Student Affairs, Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc., Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 12, and nine individuals.

     Your Committee finds that research is necessary to address the underrepresentation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in many higher education institutions.  Your Committee further finds that providing resources to the Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity at the University of Hawaii will expand its capacity to address critical issues in higher education and support undergraduate and graduate students interested in diversity careers in student affairs and higher education.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date of this measure to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2905, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2905, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair