STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2193
Honolulu, Hawaii
S.D. 1
President of the Senate
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 149 entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO INCORPORATE AS PART OF ITS 2015-25 UH MANOA STRATEGIC PLAN THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES MEMBERSHIP PHASE I AND II INDICATORS, AS APPROPRIATE, AS A MEANS TO ESTABLISH GOALS AND METRICS FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S CONTINUED PURSUIT TO BE AMONGST THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN THE NATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to incorporate as part of its 2015-2025 UH Manoa Strategic Plan the Association of American Universities membership phase I and II indicators, as appropriate, as a means to establish goals and metrics for the University's continued pursuit to be amongst the most prestigious research institutions in the nation.
Prior to decision making on this measure, your Committee made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1 of this measure. The proposed S.D. 1 retained various provisions of this measure and also inserted provisions that:
(1) Discuss the existing faculty classification system at the University of Hawaii and the importance of instruction and teaching for its faculty; and
(2) Request the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to:
(A) Review and conform the classification of its faculty to ensure greater alignment with the mission and purpose of the University;
(B) Review and report on teaching equivalents; and
(C) Submit a report and follow-up report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 from one individual. Your Committee received comments on the proposed S.D. 1 from the University of Hawai‘i System and one individual.
Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the flagship campus of the only public university in the State, serves a diverse community of students and public and private stakeholders, provides a world-class education, and performs scholarly work and service in areas of critical importance to Hawaii, the United States, and the entire Asia Pacific region. Since the University of Hawaii at Manoa is a major research university and categorized as Research 1 or R1, it has the potential to become a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an association of leading comprehensive research universities distinguished by the quality of their research programs and graduate education. Aligning the University's goals and metrics with the Membership Principles and Membership Indicators of the AAU would place the University of Hawaii at Manoa amongst the highest ranked universities in the nation.
Your Committee further finds that the Board of Regents is required to classify all faculty members at the University of Hawaii, of which there are currently seven faculty classifications. These classifications may need to be reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with contemporary national practices. Furthermore, although the University of Hawaii is a research institution, instruction is the University of Hawaii's highest priority, and teaching remains the most important duty of its faculty. Since Regent Policies are reviewed every three years, with the next scheduled review to take place in 2020, your Committee additionally finds that this provides a good opportunity for the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to review the classification and teaching responsibilities of faculty at the University to ensure that faculty are fulfilling their teaching duties and that students are provided with high-quality education.
Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1 and making further technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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. 149, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 149, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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