THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	154
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the university of hawaii office of internal audit to conduct an audit of various programs at the university of hawaii west oahu that receive extramural funding, including title iii grant funding.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii West Oahu provides various programs to assist incoming and current students; and

 

     WHEREAS, many of these programs receive extramural funding, including Title III grant funding; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2014, the University of Hawaii West Oahu was awarded a total of $14,200,000 in Title III grant funding from the United States Department of Education for the construction of Native Hawaiian health and wellness facilities and the further development of Native Hawaiian student support services; and

 

     WHEREAS, $10,000,000 was allocated for the PIKO Project, the construction of health and wellness facilities and programs that integrate Native Hawaiian values of well-being, including:

 

     (1)  A wellness center that addresses holistic health and wellness programming;

 

     (2)  A nursing simulation lab for state-of-the-art training in health-related concentrations with the goal of improving Native Hawaiian health equity;

 

     (3)  A cultural and performing arts and education amphitheater as part of the University of Hawaii West Oahu library for student and campus events and activities;

 

     (4)  Community engagement and service-learning support focused on the health and well-being of the campus and community; and

 

     (5)  Academic support to increase student retention and success in health services; and

 

     WHEREAS, $4,200,000 was granted to the University of Hawaii West Oahu over a five-year period for the development of a Pueo Scholars Program, including comprehensive student support services aimed to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native Hawaiian students; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Pueo Scholars Program is a continuum of services and support starting from pre-college to graduation and includes:

 

     (1)  Dual enrollment and early admit courses for high school students in the local area of the University of Hawaii West Oahu;

 

     (2)  Implementation of the ‘Onipa‘a Summer Program designed to bolster Native Hawaiian student fall enrollment after high school graduation that includes a one-credit college preparatory course, six weeks of paid summer employment, and a one-credit summer bridge course;

 

     (3)  A dedicated Pueo Scholar advisor who assists new Native Hawaiian and other incoming freshmen and first-year transfer students to ease the adjustment to college life at the University of Hawaii West Oahu;

 

     (4)  Additional tutors for science, technology, engineering, and math subjects who are academically capable and knowledgeable about Native Hawaiian history, culture, and learning styles;

 

     (5)  Peer mentoring for students during their first year at the University of Hawaii West Oahu;

 

     (6)  Continuation of supplemental instruction for general education courses aimed at ensuring successful pass rates;

 

     (7)  Increased student leadership opportunities, including a three-credit upper division leadership course, workshops, seminars, and projects;

 

     (8)  Service learning opportunities included in coursework to enhance course material and promote civic engagement; and

 

     (9)  An educational pathway for students pursuing education degrees by providing related services and technology materials and supplies that assist in their persistence to graduation and becoming licensed teachers; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii West Oahu also provides a Summer Academy with different program options, such as the ‘A‘ali‘i Scholars Program and ‘Ike Ola, to help local high school graduates get an early start on the college experience; and

 

     WHEREAS, the ‘A‘ali‘i Scholars Program provides students the opportunity to experience college through a Hawaiian cultural lens by attending college-level courses at the University of Hawaii West Oahu and engaging in field experiences throughout Oahu; and

 

     WHEREAS, ‘Ike Ola is a program that provides students with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of health occupations and indigenous health and healing by exposing students to health issues within their community as well as highlighting related health professions; and

 

     WHEREAS, these programs are funded through local organizations; and

 

     WHEREAS, however, discrepancies in information provided by the University of Hawaii West Oahu on various programs were found, from initial documentation on the programs to follow-up documentation, as well as inconsistencies in the reporting of extramural funds; and

 

     WHEREAS, an audit of the various programs at the University of Hawaii West Oahu that receive extramural funding, including Title III grant funding, will help to ensure an accurate accounting of all funds by the University and that funds are being utilized appropriately for the benefits of the students; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii Office of Internal Audit is requested to conduct an audit of various programs at the University of Hawaii West Oahu that receive extramural funding, including Title III grant funding; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii Office of Internal Audit is requested to include the following programs in the audit:

 

     (1)  ‘A‘ali‘i Scholars Program;

 

     (2)  ‘Ike Ola;

 

     (3)  Mobile High-Touch, High Tech Learning Environment Program;

 

     (4)  Kūkulu ma ke Kahua;

 

     (5)  PIKO Project;

 

     (6)  University of Hawaii West Oahu Pueo Scholars;

 

     (7)  University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College cooperative arrangement development grant; and

 

     (8)  Ho‘okahua; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit by the University of Hawaii Office of Internal Audit is requested to include but not be limited to travel completion reports associated with the various programs that receive extramural funding; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii Office of Internal Audit is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii West Oahu, and Director of the University of Hawaii Office of Internal Audit.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

University of Hawaii West Oahu; Title III Funding; Programs; Audit