University of Hawaii West Oahu Seal

Bulletin No. 26

Date/Time sent: 11/09/2020 8:00 am

E ala! E alu! E kuilima!
Awaken! Come together! Join hands!

There are two parts to the Chancellor’s message this week (1) COVID-19 related matters and (2) Update from the UHWO Task Force.

COVID-19 Reminders

I know that we are all fatigued by what is now mind-numbing repetition of shut-downs and the up and down nature of frustrating numbers. I was reminded when I met with Dr. Mays Imad, that it is important to pause and reflect, breath, and then make intentional choices that can help to regulate emotional responses during times of stress. I have found that asking myself this question helps: “Given what’s going on, what’s the best thing for me to do or not do in this situation?”

Here are some reminders:

  • When you come to campus please remember to check-in using the LumiSight App.

  • Please follow all protocols when you come to campus. See our Pueo Safety Promise.

  • Please stay alert to email postings regarding the health and safety of our campus community.

  • Should a co-worker or student report to you that they have tested positive please remind them to alert our campus COVID Response Team through the hotline at 808-689-2525 or covidwo@hawaii.edu.

  • Please note: although your student or co-worker may be fully online or working remotely respectively, they should contact the hotline so that we can ensure we provide support and services if needed.

  • For more information or questions please see our campus COVID-19 site.

UHWO Task Force

Update on task force membership:

  • ASUHWO: Jenna Marie Marcos and Caton Liang

  • Faculty: Kaʻiulani Akamine, Loea Akiona, Ross Cordy, Alphie Garcia, Mary Heller, Louis Herman, Ed Keaunui, Frank Kudo, Monique Mironesco, Kamuela Yong, Reed Young

  • Staff: Michelle Cohen, Lori Foo, John Murakami, Therese Nakadomari, Princess Soares, Marnelli Ulep

  • A representative from UHPA and a representative from HGEA

Update on the work of the task force:

  • The Task Force has generated five recommendations for FY21. These deal with Facilities Efficiencies, Operational Efficiencies, and Increasing Instructional Efficiencies.

  • The TF has developed a survey to invite all UH West Oʻahu stakeholders–students, staff, faculty, and leadership—to provide feedback on the recommendations. They anticipate that the survey will be disseminated early this week. Surveys must be returned by the end of business day, Friday, November 13. The task force wants everyone to remember that this is the first of several feedback surveys to the campus community for the purpose of increasing opportunities to gather and give voice to the collective wisdom of our stakeholders.

I would like to mahalo the task force for meeting the immediate challenge to recommend cost efficient tactics that keep us stable and enable us to  invest in those programs and actions that will have an immediate high return. If we can capitalize on these opportunities we will be able to reinvest in a next tier of growth and support opportunities!

E mālama pono!
Chancellor Maenette Benham