University of Hawaii West Oahu Seal

Bulletin No. 45

Date/Time sent: 04/12/2021 8:00 am

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

Statement of Gratitude:
“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” – Robert Braathe

Update COVID-19

More of our faculty, staff and student employees have elected to get vaccinated. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated. While we are no longer setting up vaccinations for our faculty and staff, you should be able to register with your UH/UHWO ID as an essential worker. Please know that we continue to follow all campus protocols that include checking-in prior to coming to campus through LumiSight, use of masks, washing hands, and physical distancing. For more information please go to our updated COVID-19 webpage.

Update on Gradual Reopening of UH West Oʻahu Campus

Currently, our campus is open to all UH West Oʻahu students, faculty, staff and visitors (prior arrangements). We remain closed to the general public.

On campus this spring semester there are a handful of F-2-F (face-to-face) courses, blended/hybrid classes, labs and studios. We are inviting and scheduling more summer on-campus classes, experiences, and presence in offices. In the fall of 2021, we anticipate at least 20-25% of our courses to be offered on campus to include: F-2-F or blended/hybrid variations.

Our facilities are prepped and ready: janitorial routines are set, cleaning and sanitizing supplies are at the ready, and safety protocols and classrooms at 6’ distancing are in place.

Update on our Campus Work Groups

All the campus work groups are developing strategies that both meet our current fiscal objectives as well as our Strategic Action Plan goals. They are also utilizing the “draft” Revised UH West Oʻahu Business Model in their decision making processes. Some elements of these strategies may be funded by current one-time federal stimulus funds (see below). Should you have any questions about the work group strategies please contact:

  • Student Success: Recruitment and Retention – iVCSA Javinar or Instructor Reed Young
  • Student Learning – VCAA Moniz or Chair Mary Heller
  • Business Model – Dr. Kahumoku or Faculty Senate Chair Ed Keaunui
  • Campus Efficiencies – VCA Ishida or Sheri Ching/Business Office

Update on Federal Stimulus Funds

A reminder that the Hawaiʻi State Legislature is still in session. The University of Hawaiʻi (a State Department) has not yet received our FY 2022 budget (08/01/21 to 07/31/22). We still anticipate the $2.7 million cut to our G-Funds (covers personnel costs). We do not anticipate the return of permanent positions that were swept last legislative session (April 2020). While recent federal relief funding to the State of Hawaiʻi is helping to fill the current need it is important to remember that it is “one-time” funding. It provides temporary relief and is not a bail-out or a solution to our economic dilemmas. We have not seen a State of Hawaiʻi long-term sustainability plan or business model that will help us, University of Hawaiʻi, meet the cliff we will experience when federal relief funds are gone.

Consequently, UH System and all campuses, including UH West Oʻahu, continue to be fiduciarily responsible. We continue to adhere to the hire freeze (with waivers to justified, targeted hires) and review of all expenditures (on the output end). At the same time, our brilliant, hard-working enrollment team in Student Affairs (and includes partners from Academic Affairs, Administration, and ASUHWO) has been working 24/7 to strengthen our efforts to increase student applications and yield.

Hence, how our campus employs federal stimulus funding is key. First, we must know the federal regulations and expend our resources within acceptable federal guidelines. Strategically, it is imperative that UH West Oʻahu also examine how our expenses support current needs and have sustainable impact. A quick overview of federal funding is provided in this HEERF Tree diagram (PDF). Provided in a prior weekly bulletin is more detail regarding each of these funding streams (all bulletins are archived for your information).

To aid in decision making and provide another layer of communication with campus stakeholders, the UH West OʻAHU Federal Funding Advisory Council has been formed. The purpose of this council is to (a) learn more about the (currently 3) US Federal Funding Acts and resources to higher education, and (b) provide the Chancellor (PI of the campus federal resources) with recommendation and guidance regarding the use of these resources. Members of this council were selected by the communities they represent:

  • Faculty Senate: Katherine Aumer
  • APT: Donna Shaver
  • ASUWHO: Brittny Perez and Alan Iwasaki
  • Nalimakui Council: Kaʻiulani Akamine
  • Kapwa Council: Rouel Velasco
  • Work Groups/Business Model: Leslie Rush
  • Facilitating: Chancellor Benham and Sheri Ching/Business Office
  • Notetaker: Chris Neves

If you have time to view the information provided to UHWO Executives and the Federal Funding Advisory Council that overviews Federal Funding (what we know now) please see this draft PPT presentation (PDF). An updated slide deck will be presented to campus leadership and to Division Chairs later this month.

A proposal template will be available to VCs today, April 12. Proposals will be accepted from: OVCAA, OVCSA, OVCA. The following units will route their requests through the appropriate Vice Chancellor: IT, Facilities, Distance Education and OPDAS, Early College, Libraries, Counseling/ADA, and ASUHWO. Review process:

  1. Step 1: All proposals must be reviewed by the appropriate VC before coming to the Chancellor
  2. Step 2: Chancellor’s office will route the proposal to both the UHWO Federal Funding Advisory Council for discussion and the Business Office to determine eligible expenses per Federal Guidelines.
  3. Step 3: Campus Executives (Chancellor and Vice Chancellors) will make the final decision.