Bulletin No. 6

Date/Time sent: 06/22/2020 8:45 am

Aloha mai kākou!

Mahalo for paying attention! It is important that you and your colleagues read the weekly bulletin. Please pass this message on!

There is much that has been accomplished over the last week to prepare our campus for re-opening in the fall. Hereʻs a short list of our on-going efforts:

Clear plexiglass counter guards have been installed at the library.

Continued instruction of our online courses, Summer Session I.
Preparations for our 3 pilot hybrid courses, Summer Session II. Development of online professional development focused on hybrid teaching methods.
DE/IT focused work on Hybrid modalities with faculty/instructors and staff.
Our scheduler, registrar, Division Chairs/Academic Affairs, and student services are diligently working on our Fall schedule of classes. Any questions please reach out to your Division Chair and/or the Office of the VC Academic Affairs.
IT efforts to upgrade our Zoom capacity, introduction of Dropbox, and increasing our storage capacity. IT continued efforts to upgrade all our classrooms and teaching laboratories in preparation for delivery of hybrid courses.
Ongoing work by facilities to prepare public areas (library, student services, etc.) for physical distancing.
The first full draft of our UHWO COVID-19 Guidelines that overview our operations is being vetted by campus units and will soon be made available online. This is a living document that will evolve as we learn more.
We are in the process of hiring a core cluster of student assistants/campus student success ambassadors who will assist faculty/instructors and student/peers in the following areas: Online/IT capacities and agility, student success coaching and tutoring, ADA/learning support, and Instructional assistance. For more details reach out to: John Ly, Therese Nakadomari, Gloria Niles, Kaʻiulani Akamine, Alan Rosenfeld, and Lokelani Kenolio (Work Group Co-Leads).
A letter to students went out last week to all students from the Chancellor’s Office to overview the actions of the campus.

Clear plexiglass counter guards at student services.

Enrollment Efforts: In addition, our enrollment team in partnership with our Division Chairs and faculty are working diligently to reach out to our continuing students to assist them in their decisions and efforts to return/register for fall semester. We need to continue to strengthen the community college transfers as well as our new incoming freshman classes! If you would like to kōkua please contact your Division Chair or AVC Rosenfeld, Dir. Enrollment Lokelani Kenolio, or Michelle Cohen (macohen@hawaii.edu).

Fiscal Year 2021 Budget: We are still very concerned about the implications of the State of Hawaiʻi economy on our general funding to the University of Hawaiʻi. Chancellor is working with the UH System and our Campus Vice Chancellors and Budget & Finance on scenarios that account for both a drop in enrollment and cuts to our G-Fund. As you know hires (Institutionally funded) are frozen and many expenses restricted. All our units have prioritized their operational costs and are reviewing cost-centers that can be scaled-back. At the same time, we are assessing where investments need to be made. We will soon prepare for structural shifts that will encourage us all to rethink how we effectively deliver quality educative programs and services targeted to the needs of our community. Please keep an eye on the weekly bulletins for more information.

Acting with empathy during COVID-19 and Civil Protests: I know that this has been a time of fear, frustration, panic, anger, confusion … Indeed, the amount of media attention keeps these emotions at or near the surface seemingly all the time. As a result of these significant disruptions, it is crucial for all of us to demonstrate empathy in each and every encounter — for our students, our coworkers and ourselves.

I want to make one thing clear: I want to acknowledge and uplift the amazing courage of our student services, academic, and administrative teams. If courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite the fear, then how could I use any other term to describe our work groups and campus teams? Mahalo to all who have acted with poise and professionalism, despite the long hours, the increased workload, and the anxieties we are experiencing ourselves.

I ask you to consider three (3) steps to live with empathy:

Letʻs work together to provide a sense of normalcy for our students. I can’t remember who shared this definition but it is spot on: “Empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to the feelings, thoughts and experiences of others without explicit communication.” Yes, life is disrupted, but we can provide stability, greeting everyone with sincerity and warmth, listening and supporting their educational journey. “Social” or “Physical” distancing does not mean “emotional disconnection.”
It is important to remember that doing the work you do as part of our “Essential Business” is exhausting; I know that we are all mentally, emotionally, and physically strained. This makes self-care incredibly important. We all know that if you are not at your best, then providing an exceptional learning experience becomes challenging. So, take extra time to take care of yourself remembering to take breaks and connect with others – as it is not just for them, it is important for you, too!
Remember, we are all in this together! Be sensitive to the needs of your coworkers. You may not know the unexpected stresses they may be addressing at home/away from the workplace but regardless we need to have each other’s backs. Be a voice of encouragement; celebrate the small and big accomplishments as well as the daily routines, take time to say “thank you for showing up and working hard.”

In the end, at some point the pandemic will be controlled and we will find a new normal – what will be remembered is how we responded and treated one another. This is our time to strengthen our legacy of gracious space and empathy.

E mālama pono!
Chancellor Maenette Benham