Bulletin No. 97
Date/Time sent: 08/22/2022 9:00 amE ala! E alu! E kuilima!
Awaken! Come together! Join hands!
Welina!
Bienvenue, Herzlich Willkommen, Fáilte, ברוך הבא (ba-ruch ha-ba),
Bem-vinda, Bienvenidas, ようこそ (Youkoso),
환영 (Eoseo Osibsio)
Welcome Back Faculty and Students!!
Welina mai kākou!
Hoʻokāhi ka ilau like ana (Wield the paddles together)
If you missed our UH West Oʻahu Fall 2022 Convocation and PD Day on Tuesday, Aug. 16, a recording will be available at a future date. Additionally, you can view the powerpoint presentation. It was a moving morning for us all as we reconnected with one another and learned more about what we individually and collectively accomplished over the last two (2) years and what we will need to do as we advance forward into this upcoming academic year. I mentioned four (4) highlights, in brief:
- The UH West Oʻahu Veterans Center of Excellence provides a space on campus for veteran students to access resources and tools to succeed in college, to connect with others, and to simply relax. Mahalo to Dr. Rick Jones our interim director and Dr. David Dinh a member of the Center Advisory Board.
- When I think of Poʻokela (excellence) on the top of that list is the work that many of you do to support the learning journey of our students. The hōʻike/the exhibition of that knowledge reveals not only their depth of understanding a complex set of constructs but also the transference of those ideas to applicable practice that can transform/improve the quality of life for their communities. Today, we shine the light on the Student Research and Creative Works Symposium that Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt has been leading, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last fall 2021.
- The library is our central place of learning, providing a gathering place where we can engage, explore, and experiment with new ideas that take us out of our little boxes and help us to experience new ways of thinking. That has not been easy to do the past two years, however, our librarians found ways to reach out online and were able to host, in-person/in a safe way, gatherings. A very special installation was the Americans and the Holocaust’ traveling exhibition coming to James & Abigail Campbell Library. This is a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
- We celebrated the people, place, and passion of our university recognizing our reaffirmation for eight years of accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. The accreditation process is a marker of institutional quality, and accreditation is required by the U.S. Department of Education for students to be able to access federal financial assistance, including student loans.
Mahalo again to all our presenters and especially to our kupuna-in-residence, Aunty Lynette Paglinawan, who set the tone for our day together. And, to our professional development presenters: Dr. Jan Javinar & Dr. Steven Taketa, Leila Shimokawa & Dr. Joyce Chinen, and Dr. Lea Kinikini!
Working to keep our campus safe!
Aloha UH West Oʻahu ʻOhana!
As the State of Hawaiʻi, in particular the County of Honolulu, continues to experience a large number of COVID-19 cases, we want to do all we can to ensure the health and safety of our campus communities. As a reminder, here is the UH System masking policy for all campuses:
Masking continues to be required in classrooms, shared laboratory spaces, and tightly confined educational spaces, such as advising offices, and in campus venues when the number of attendees is close to maximum capacity or if it is anticipated that high numbers of higher-risk persons will be attending. Campus officials may further specify areas where and when face masks are required to enhance safety.
- Masking is still encouraged indoors when around people during crowded events, especially for those who are not vaccinated or who are immunocompromised. If there are signs requiring masks posted outside a space or office, honor those
signs. - Campuses may require masks indoors based on the level of COVID-19 community transmission as recommended by the CDC, UH medical and public health experts, and HDOH.
- Masking is optional for outdoors and outdoor events.
- Instructors or presenters may remove their masks while teaching, provided that they maintain 6 feet distance from others.
- Masks must be worn by anyone who has been exposed to someone with the virus or who is returning to campus after a quarantine or isolation. The well-fitted mask must be worn for the full duration of the 10-day period, up to five (5) days
after you return to campus.
Masks that “meet a standard” (N95, N99 or N100 masks) are not required. Gaiters do not provide adequate protection. All masks should be well-fitted, which means the mask:
- Has a nose wire to crimp down on top of the nose
- Has at least 2 or more layers of washable fabric (for cloth masks)
- Covers both the nose and mouth entirely
- Fits snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
Note: Masks, or respirators with exhalation valves should be avoided as they do not protect others from expelled respiratory droplets and aerosols.
Also, please consider the following to help prevent the spread of the virus:
- If you know you have been exposed to the virus, or begin to experience symptoms, please get tested (PCR or at-home antigen test) before returning to campus or UH facility, regardless of your vaccination status.
- If returning from personal or university-approved, out-of-state travel, it is strongly recommended that you take a COVID-19 test (PCR or at-home antigen test) within two days of return to the state and BEFORE returning to a UH campus or facility. It is also strongly recommended that a follow up test be taken on day five after your return.
- Everyone is strongly recommended to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination that includes receiving the 1st booster shot, and 2nd booster shot, if eligible.
The 10-campus system will continue to provide recommendations and update guidelines depending on the level of community transmission, and recommendations by UH medical and public health experts and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Mahalo for your understanding and cooperation in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, and doing your part to keep our community healthy.
Keep in mind, kūkulu kaiāulu!
Announcements and Reminders
FACULTY: Important To Verify Class Participation
Aloha faculty,
Federal regulations require UH to verify student participation in classes each semester. To make the process as convenient as possible, STAR has launched the new STAR Instructor Support App. The App will make officially certifying student participation in your classes much easier and faster, saving you valuable time while allowing UH to meet its federal reporting requirements.
To learn more, check out this short video.
Please email starhelp@hawaii.edu or contact STAR Help if you have any questions or concerns.
Mahalo nui loa for your assistance in compliance with this federal requirement and for supporting the success of our students.
Have a great semester,
Debora Halbert
Interim Vice President for Academic Strategy
From Hawaiʻi State Ethics
The Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission is pleased to offer upcoming ethics training classes for all state employees on the following dates:
Aug. 18, 2022, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 20, 2022, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 16, 2022, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 24, 2023, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
These classes will meet the mandatory ethics training requirement currently being considered by Governor David Ige.
Individuals can register for a course online at https://ethics.hawaii.gov/training/. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Additionally, state employees can take an online self-directed training course at https://ethics.hawaii.gov/ethicsonlinetraining/. This 30-minute, interactive training provides basic information for state employees subject to the Ethics Code, including all executive and legislative branch employees, and judiciary employees (other than judges and justices). Individuals who complete the training will obtain a certificate of completion that satisfies state ethics training requirements. An online training specifically for volunteer board/commission members is also available at this link.
For more information, contact the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission at 808-587-0460 or ethics@hawaiiethics.org.
Mahalo nūnui for taking the time to review this week’s bulletin.
E mālama pono!
Maenette Benham, Chancellor