STAND. COM. REP. NO. 300

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1160

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1160 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII FOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation to the University of Hawaii (UH) for all campuses to increase diversity of and student success by promoting additional student support services for students with disabilities, underrepresented groups, single parents on welfare, and other non-traditional students.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Women's Center, University of Hawaii Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services, XYZ: Gay-Straight Alliance at UH Manoa, the Honolulu Community College Skills Center and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure would strengthen and expand programs that serve students who are under-represented and under-served, including students with disabilities and various ethnic groups. Your Committee further finds that the campus programs promoting diversity and programs for under-represented students, students with disabilities, and under-served groups would assure the success of these students as they would be able to remain in school and eventually graduate.

Programs at the UH system and campuses need to be expanded to increase the number of underrepresented ethnic groups and to support other groups that contribute to campus diversity. The Board of Regents policy on non-discrimination and affirmative action states "[T]he University is committed to a policy on non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, court records, sexual orientation, or veteran status."

This measure is consistent with the University's strategic goals on access and social justice as well as federal, state and university policies on non-discrimination and affirmative action. Your Committee believes that inclusion and diversity contributes to a rich academic environment and workforce development.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting the sum of $2,500,000 for seventeen positions for all campuses.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1160, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1160, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair