STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1771
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2021
RE: S.C.R. No. 201
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2021
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 201, S.D. 1, entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE AND ASSESS THE UNIVERSITY'S: (1) TENURE SYSTEM FOR RESEARCHERS AND OTHER NON-INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY; AND (2) COMPENSATION STRUCTURE OF FACULTY ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY EXTRAMURAL FUNDING AND GRANTS; IN COMPARISON TO PEER HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND PROPOSE THE BEST PRACTICES TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE UNIVERSITY,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly to convene a task force to examine and assess the University of Hawaii's:
(1) Tenure system for researchers and other non-instructional faculty; and
(2) Compensation structure of faculty engaged in activities supported by extramural funding for grants;
in comparison to peer higher education institutions across the United States. This measure also requests the task force to propose best practices to be implemented by the University of Hawaii and to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2022.
Your Committee finds that according to the American Association of University Professors, the principal purpose of tenure is to safeguard academic freedom, which is necessary for all who teach and conduct research in higher education. However, the American Association of University Professors also indicates that the tenure system for higher education in the United States has eroded, where the percentage of faculty members that are off tenure-track has been steadily increasing.
Your Committee also finds that the University of Hawaii's decision to classify a faculty position as one eligible for academic tenure results in the long-term commitment of public resources for that position. Therefore, it is a matter of statewide concern to ensure that public resources are targeted to support academic tenure for faculty members whose primary duties and responsibilities are to provide instruction to educate and promote the success of students enrolled at the University of Hawaii.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Amending its title to read, "URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AND UNIVERSITY
OF HAWAII PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE AND ASSESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TENURE SYSTEM FOR RESEARCHERS AND OTHER
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY, AND COMPENSATION STRUCTURE OF FACULTY ENGAGED IN
ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY EXTRAMURAL FUNDING AND GRANTS, IN COMPARISON TO PEER
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES; AND PROPOSE BEST
PRACTICES TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.";
(2) Clarifying that the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, President of the University of Hawaii, and Vice President for Research and Innovation of the University of Hawaii, or their respective designees, are requested to serve on the task force; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 201, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 201, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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