STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1516-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 205

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 205 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ADOPT AND PUBLICIZE A STATEWIDE EQUITY STATEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to lead the way in best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrate the importance of these initiatives by adopting a statewide equity statement.

Your Committee received testimony in support for this measure from University of Hawaii System.

Your Committee finds that in addition to ethnic diversity,

UH is home to many first-generation students, veterans, international students, and students from the continental United States – all of which help make each class of students complex and diverse. As a result, UH has a special burden to ensure that all

students feel welcome within the institution.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 205 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair