Report Title:

UH; Faculty Positions; Philippine Studies

Description:

Appropriates moneys for funding and for faculty positions for Ilokano, Filipino, and Philippine studies at UH Manoa. (HB1011 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1011

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for funding and faculty positions for Ilokano, Filipino, and Philippine Studies at THE university of Hawaii AT Manoa.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Filipino community has grown since its arrival in Hawaii in l906. Although Filipinos are underrepresented at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (nine per cent undergraduate students, four per cent graduate students) compared to their enrollment in the public school system (nineteen per cent), progress has been made over the years. In addition to under-representation, a significant issue for Filipino students and the Filipino community relates to the availability and stability of curriculum offerings in Ilokano, Filipino, and Philippine studies. There is an important need to increase the representation of Filipino students, as well as professionals trained in Philippine languages and culture who can work in the area of education, health, legal services, and commerce. Curriculum and scholarly research on the Philippines is also consistent with the University's focus on Asian and Pacific studies.

The University of Hawaii is proud to have the largest number of students on any United States campus taking a Philippine language and to be the only institution that offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philippine language and literature.

Filipino students and other faculty, however, expressed concerns in recent semesters because some courses in Filipino and Ilokano were not regularly offered by lecturers or instructors. Funds to hire a recently retired Filipino language faculty member are included in the 2005 University of Hawaii budget request. The University of Hawaii at Manoa Center for Philippine Studies, part of the school of Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific studies is well-known locally, nationally, and internationally for scholarship and research by faculty who teach in various academic departments (such as ethnic studies, American studies, education, history, sociology, and political science) on the Manoa campus. Philippine studies only has a fifty per cent position for the director and a fifty per cent position for political science faculty.

Funding and positions are needed to stabilize the program and increase the number of classes for the growing number of Filipino and non-Filipino students interested in Philippine studies and Philippine languages. Positions and funds are needed to support one instructor in Filipino, one instructor in Ilokano, and fifty per cent full-time equivalent (FTE) position to increase the Philippine studies director to full-time status, and another fifty per cent position for a departmental faculty position.

Additional funds for curriculum development and instructional support for various campuses are also needed, such as Leeward community college's certificate in Philippine studies.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to fund:

(1) Three faculty positions for Ilokano, Filipino, and Philippine studies;

(2) A vacant Filipino language position at the University of Hawaii; and

(3) Curriculum development and instruction for other campuses.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.