Bill Text: HI SR167 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Urging The University Of Hawaii And The University Of Hawaii Professional Assembly To Convene A Working Group To Conduct An Assessment Of Current University Of Hawaii Practices And Policies Regarding The Requirements And Percentages Of Extramural Funding Utilized For Compensation Of Faculty Engaged In Extramural Activities With Consideration Of National Best Practices And Approaches At Its Peer Institutions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-25 - The committee on HRE deferred the measure. [SR167 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2021-SR167-Introduced.html

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

167

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY to convene A working group to conduct an assessment of current University of Hawaii practices and policies regarding the requirements and percentages of extramural funding utilized for compensation of faculty engaged in extramural activities with consideration of national best practices and approaches at its peer institutions.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii, as a land grant university, has historically embraced a three-part mission that includes teaching, research, and service; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuant to law, section 304A-1002, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and University of Hawaii Board of Regents Policy No. 9.202, the University of Hawaii historically classified its faculty into various employment categories by campuses such as "instruction", "research", "specialists", or "extension agents"; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is a need for a more holistic and rigorous approach to recognizing and acknowledging the complex and dynamic work of faculty across the institution in regard to instruction, research, and service; and

 

     WHEREAS, peer universities have three classifications; professors, assistant professors, and associate professors compared to the University of Hawaii, which has seven faculty classifications; and

 

     WHEREAS, at the University of Hawaii, all faculty have an expectation of engaging in productive and meaningful research and scholarship, including "I" (instructional) faculty, many of whom are among the most impactful and productive researchers and scholars; and

 

     WHEREAS, many "R" (research) faculty teach courses and mentor students, even if it is not a primary duty or responsibility outlined in their job description; and

 

     WHEREAS, the extramural funding generated by University of Hawaii faculty and administrators is growing and is now approaching $500,000,000 per year, which is more than major economic sectors such as agriculture and is a matter of statewide concern; and

 

     WHEREAS, "R" faculty at peer university institutions do not receive tenure and are required to bring in extramural funding to pay forty to eighty percent of their compensation; and

 

     WHEREAS, currently, the following sources serve as the funding support for permanent "R" faculty:  general fund, 72.5 percent; direct extramural funding, 16.2 percent; University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund, eight percent; indirect extramural support through the Research and Training Revolving Fund, 0.3 percent; and other miscellaneous sources, three percent; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is concern that monies from the general fund and University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund account for over eighty percent of "R" faculty support; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the University of Hawaii would benefit from an assessment of current University of Hawaii practices and policies regarding the requirements and percentages of extramural funding utilized for compensation of faculty engaged in extramural activities with consideration of national best practices and approaches at its peer institutions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the University along with the Executive Director of University of Hawaii Professional Assembly are urged to convene a working group of faculty members and administrators to conduct the assessment of current University of Hawaii practices and policies; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group's membership should be a balance of individuals who have experience with peer universities and no connection with the University of Hawaii and individuals who have University of Hawaii experience; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group's review and assessment is requested to consider:

 

     (1)  Current and best practices of the University of Hawaii's benchmark and peer institutions in light of its Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation;

 

     (2)  How the University of Hawaii can be more aligned with peer universities with respect to the manner in which "R" faculty are compensated;

 

     (3)  How other peer universities handle tenure for their "R" faculty as compared with the University of Hawaii's approach;

 

     (4)  Maintenance of the University of Hawaii doctoral programs' very high research designation and standing; and

 

     (5)  Promotion of integrity in the University of Hawaii research endeavors; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii administration continue to work with the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly to thoughtfully adapt its policies and practices, regarding the requirements and percentages of extramural funding utilized for compensation of faculty engaged in extramural activities, to the findings of the working group as it also commits to meet the unique needs and circumstances of this State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii shall report on its findings and advisory recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group dissolve upon completion of its work; and

 

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Research Faculty; Salary; University of Hawaii; Working Group

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