University of Hawaii West Oahu Seal

Bulletin No. 42

Date/Time sent: 03/22/2021 6:00 pm

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

Statement of Gratitude: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein

Update COVID-19

UH President David Lassner provided a comprehensive update on all matters related to COVID-19 and the 10-campus university system in his monthly report to the Board of Regents on March 18. The president also provided an update on the federal funds available to UH after the latest COVID-19 relief bill was signed into law on March 11. The president’s report and the update of federal relief funds can be viewed here:

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/03/18/president-report-march-2021/

Stay informed about UH Board of Regents and committee meetings by subscribing to email notifications on the BOR webpage. Click here for the direct link to the subscription page. Email notifications (via Mail Chimp) are sent to subscribers on the days that agendas are posted, typically six days prior to the meeting date.

Gradual Reopening of UH West Oʻahu Campus

UH West Oʻahu COVID Response Team is working with Chancellor Benham and Vice Chancellor’s to roll out a gradual plan for reopening our campus to the general public in fall 2021. Note that we are working with the UH System to ensure that our plans align with all 10-Campus plans for reopening. At the moment, we do not have a definitive plan, however, we are guided by the following commitments:

  • Strict adherence to health and safety standards
  • Targeting 21%-25% of in-person instructions in the fall
  • Flexibility at the division level to determine delivery modes
  • Commitment not to switch method of course delivery on short notice unless public health conditions require us to do so
  • Transparent and consistent communication

We must be mindful of the possible need to revert to remote instruction and remote work, hence, we will continue close monitoring of public health information and guidelines that potentially affect our fall plans. As an institution that places great value on equity and inclusion, we also will continue to think carefully about how our planning affects each member of our community and their diverse and sometimes disparate needs and desires. A successful return to campus will require of everyone the same empathy, generosity, and teamwork that makes UH West Oʻahu a special place to teach and learn. I encourage everyone to think about what they can do personally to help us navigate the next phase of this challenging time.

Update on our Campus Work Groups

We will have a full update of Work Group actions in next week’s bulletin.

Student Success: Recruitment and Retention

  • For more information contact either iVC Javinar or Instructor Reed Young.

Student Learning

  • For more information contact either VC Moniz of Chair Mary Heller.

Business Model

  • For more information contact either Dr. Walter Kahumoku or Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Ed Keaunui.

Campus Efficiencies

  • For more information contact either VC Ishida or Sheri Ching (Business Office)/

An important message from President Lassner

Aloha,

Our university, our state, our nation and the world have faced immense challenges over the past year as we have coped with a major pandemic crisis and its devastating economic impacts. At the same time, we have seen a deepening of many of the divisions between people of different backgrounds. A recent manifestation has been the deplorable increase in incidents of violence against Asians, Asian Americans and others of color.

Attacks targeting individuals of Asian descent, or who appear to be, have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Many of these attacks in recent months have been directed toward kūpuna (elders).

As a higher education institution dedicated to the inclusion and advancement of all peoples, the University of Hawaiʻi must condemn these acts of violence, discrimination, bigotry and hate.

The targeting of Asians and Asian Americans in the wake of the pandemic is one form of systemic racism that persists across our nation. We ask all to stand with one voice in solidarity to condemn these acts of racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. We should also take this opportunity to celebrate each other and lift up all that unites us.

Acts of violence or bullying will not be tolerated at the University of Hawaiʻi. Should such acts of hatred occur on any of our campuses they should be reported immediately to campus authorities.

I also ask each and every one of us to be active members of a kind and caring UH community that does not remain silent in the face of the kinds of deplorable behaviors we are seeing across the continent.

I thank you all for the aloha you share with each other and our UH community every day. I feel fortunate and honored to work within this great institution, in Hawaiʻi, and with all of you as we navigate our way to a more kind and just future.

Mahalo nui loa,

David Lassner
UH President

E mālama pono!
Chancellor Maenette Benham