University of Hawaii West Oahu Seal

Bulletin No. 17

Date/Time sent: 09/08/2020 7:50 am

Aloha mai kākou!

Our theme this month is, E ala! E alu! E kuilima! Awaken! Come together! Join hands!

We will be able to do the hard work to get stronger if we do the good work together!

We begin our collective efforts with talk-story sessions this month. You are invited to participate in a ZOOM campus-wide conversation to share your perspectives on how we might reimagine UH West Oʻahu post-pandemic.

Please RSVP to uhwochan@hawaii.edu at least 24 hours prior to the session you are interested in attending.

To prepare yourself for the conversation please review:

The impact of COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi’s economy, the UH system, and UH West Oʻahu leaves many of us questioning, “What’s next?” The following excerpts come from UH West Oʻahu’s FY21 Operating Budget submitted to the Board of Regents. Here are a few impacts of this pandemic on our campus this fiscal year.

  • A projected 16% reduction in general funds for UH West Oʻahu.

  • Tuition and Fees Special Funds (TFSF) revenue is projected to decrease by 1.3% compared to last fiscal year.

  • Other Special Funds revenue is projected to decrease by 82%.

  • UH West Oʻahu has already reduced the campus’ operating budget for FY21 by $1.2M—to be used for critical needs only.

  • UH West Oʻahu has secured extramural funding and CARES Act funds to assist in the support of temporary, casual and student hires and costs resulting from the pandemic (e.g., PPE and IT related costs). These funds have been taken into consideration when determining the FY21 Budget. (Note: CARES funds lapse in the fourth quarter this fiscal year.)

  • UH West Oʻahu is projecting a $1,756,856 deficit/overspend for FY21 with payroll as its largest expense (projected @ $25,284,124 for FY21).

  • TFSF revenue is also used to annually pay for required debt service ($4.14 million in FY21) related to revenue bonds issued to construct the campus and $2.36 million for student scholarships per EP 6.204 ($2.36 million in FY21).

As we look for ways to reduce our costs of delivery to offer accessible, affordable, and quality educational programs to contribute to a post-pandemic Hawaiʻi – we need to “reimagine” our work. That is, how we will serve and what critical value-added programs we must offer. To do so with integrity does require us to look to our Value Proposition, Mission and Vision:

  • …prepares 21st Century leaders…through integrated, transdisciplinary programs where learners discover, innovate, and engage diverse communities to create a vibrant and just world (Value Proposition);

  • …offers a distinct and accessible student-centered education that focuses on the 21st Century learner. The University embraces Native Hawaiian culture and traditions, while promoting student success in an environment where students of all backgrounds are supported. Our campus fosters excellence in teaching, learning, and service to the community (Mission);

  • …is a premier, comprehensive, indigenous-serving institution dedicated to educating students to be engaged global citizens and leaders in society. UH West Oʻahu fosters a dynamic learning environment where all students, faculty, and staff embody and perpetuate Pacific and global understanding rooted in Native Hawaiian values (Vision).

The facilitated discussion will pose three overarching questions that will provide opportunities to share strategies of how we might reduce our costs/stop doing, where we might be able to streamline our efforts and our programs, and what we should invest in. I look forward to our discussions!