Bill Text: HI SR172 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The University Of Hawaii To Develop A Comprehensive Plan To Address Student And Faculty Housing Facility Needs At The Manoa Campus.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-04 - Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). [SR172 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SR172-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
172 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
Proposed |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOUSING FACILITY NEEDS AT THE MANOA CAMPUS.
WHEREAS, a shortage of available and affordable housing exists throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, there is a limited supply of on-campus student housing available for students attending the University of Hawaii and such shortage of housing facilities puts students into the general rental market further increasing demand for rental housing; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (UHM) Student Housing Services program (SHS) is comprised of twenty-one residential buildings; and
WHEREAS, UHM SHS operates as a special fund pursuant to section 37-52.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, whereby funding to address deferred maintenance needs in residential facilities operated by SHS is intended to be covered by revenue generated by the SHS program; and
WHEREAS, a majority of UHM SHS buildings have not undergone any major renovation or improvement since constructed in the 1970's, except for renovations and construction of the Hale Aloha towers and Frear Hall in 2008-2009; and
WHEREAS, the business structure of UHM SHS has historically prioritized affordability, which has now compromised future financial and economic sustainability of affording needed major repairs and affording necessary major renovations of the aging facilities; and
WHEREAS, the physical condition of certain on-campus facilities have compromised their ability to remain in service; and
WHEREAS, the Hale Noelani facility is an on-campus SHS facility comprised of five buildings, originally constructed in 1978 and included over five hundred beds; and
WHEREAS, the Hale Noelani buildings were closed and taken out of service in 2018 due to significant deficiencies in building conditions, necessary maintenance, and urgent repairs whose costs were so substantial that the SHS program lacked sufficient funding and resources to address longer term strategies for improving all student housing facilities; and
WHEREAS, the revenues of SHS have been barely sufficient to support minimal business operations of SHS since its inception in the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary and essential for the SHS program to re-examine its business operations and structure in order to find more affordable and financially sustainable approaches to meet its facilities needs for services, like janitorial, custodial, and maintenance services, from both public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has executed alternative development models utilizing public-private partnerships for building student housing facilities at the Residences for Innovation and Student Entrepreneurs (RISE) project and the residences for graduate students at the former National Marine Fisheries site; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has focused on alternative development models, including housing for graduate students, but has not created a workable plan for current undergraduate housing facilities; and
WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii also operates faculty housing and offers below-market rates to new faculty members, but does not generate sufficient revenue to help offset the construction of additional faculty housing units; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the University of Hawaii must seek new repair, maintenance, and development models, to include novel approaches to financing the renovation, improvements, and expansions of its existing on-campus housing inventory for students and faculty members, both through public financing or public-private partnership options; and
WHEREAS, the SHS program should rely on diverse sources of funds to operate and maintain its programs and facilities; and
WHEREAS, this includes the University of Hawaii establishing a business model that provides a reliable stream of revenue that can sustain its programs and facilities on an ongoing basis, including a long-term facility repair and replacement program; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is requested to develop a comprehensive plan to address undergraduate, graduate, and faculty housing facility needs on the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is requested to redevelop Hale Noelani, increasing its bed space to at least one thousand five hundred beds using the most long-term cost-effective method to both the State, University, and students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is requested to develop a new business model, including the potential of mixed-use or private-public partnerships, that ensures the Student Housing Services program and faculty housing is capable of operating as a self-sustaining, special funded unit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is requested to create a plan within their budget to support in-state residents with demonstrated financial need via a housing allowance, stipend, or similar grant-in-aid to offset the cost of residents to ensure long-term affordability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii at Mānoa is requested to furnish a report to the Legislature that contains conceptual business models, operational plans, and financing models consistent with this Resolution no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii System and Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.
University of Hawaii; Housing; Education
