STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3903

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 205

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 205 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ADOPT AND PUBLICIZE A STATEWIDE EQUITY STATEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to adopt and publicize a statewide equity statement.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that college and university-based diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives provide critical support to their respective student populations. However, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have faced scrutiny and attacks in recent years, threatening academic freedom and undermining future student success. Your Committee further finds that the University of Hawaii has made substantial contributions to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at all ten campuses in the University of Hawaii System, creating opportunities for historically underrepresented populations in higher education, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, first-generation college students, and Pell Grant recipients. Therefore, this measure urges the adoption and publication of a statewide equity statement to affirm support and demonstrate the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 205, and recommends its adoption.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair