Bill Text: HI HR185 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Resolution 185

Introduced

Bill Title: Urging The University Of Hawaii To Adopt And Publicize A Statewide Equity Statement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-04 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR185 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HR185-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	185
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the university of Hawaii to adopt and publicize a statewide equity statement.

WHEREAS, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and offices of colleges and universities across the United States are under attack, threatening academic freedom and undermining future student success; and

WHEREAS, on March 7, 2024, the United States House of Representatives held a hearing claiming that efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion sabotage the nation's fundamental values of hard work and promote meritocracy; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has made substantial contributions to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at all ten campuses of the University of Hawaii system--progress that creates opportunities for those historically underrepresented in higher education, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, first-generation college students, and Pell Grant recipients; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii and State of Hawaii have the opportunity to lead the way in best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrate the importance of these initiatives; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the University of Hawaii is urged to adopt and publicize a statewide equity statement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is requested to post the statewide equity statement on its website in a manner that is readily accessible to the public; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii is requested to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion committees at each of its campuses to:

(1) Make recommendations regarding how to close equity gaps; and

(2) Contribute to an annual report that details action steps to be taken; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the annual report is requested to be submitted to the Board of Regents and posted on the University of Hawaii's website in a manner that is readily accessible to the public; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Regents and President of the University of Hawaii.