University of Hawaii West Oahu Seal

Bulletin No. 98

Date/Time sent: 09/06/2022 9:00 am

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

Welina mai kākou!

Hoʻokāhi ka ilau like ana (Wield the paddles together)

Grand RE-OPENING of our Dining Hall (Da Spot) and BOOKSTORE

You are invited to celebrate the Grand RE-OPENING of our UH West Oʻahu Dining Hall and Da Spot and our NEW BOOKSTORE. Please join us for fun festivities, food tasting, giveaways, and discounts on TUESDAY, Sept. 20, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Post and pass this flyer along to colleagues, students, family members, work-mates, neighbors! Invite your friends and family to have lunch, peruse our bookstore, and learn more about UH West Oʻahu at our Nāulu Outdoor Learning Center! OH, and we will have a drawing for great gift bags every 30 minutes!!

Bookstore and Da Spot Dining Hall Grand Reopening Banner

See you there!

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. This is an important opportunity for you to celebrate our campus faculty, staff, and student accomplishments, as well as familiarize yourself with our impact strategies for 2022-2023.

Working to keep our campus safe! 

COVID 19 reminder graphic

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, kūkūlu kaiāulu!

Announcements and Reminders

Campus Hours (as of August 22, 2022)

CAMPUS Hours (as of August 22, 2022)

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the campus hours had been set in 2016. During COVID, beginning March 2020, we provided limited access to campus. Access was given to UH employees, students, vendors, services, and invited guests. As we re-opened, beganning in the Spring of 2022, and slowly returned to in-person meetings and classes, our hours shifted to accommodate this change. As of August 22, 2022, our campus hours, for the Fall 2022 semester is as follows:

Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: Campus is accessible for students & faculty/staff as well as special functions
Saturday time: To be determined (see below)
Campus is closed on Sundays and State Holidays.
Please know that Campus Hours and building/parking lot access times may be adjusted without notice.

Regarding Saturday campus hours: Students are welcome on campus on Saturdays. If they need a space/table with WiFi access, areas include the Nāulu Outdoor Learning Center and the lanai areas of the Health Science Wing. A UH ID is not required, however, we strongly suggest that you carry your ID with you.

This is currently posted on our Auxiliary Services website: https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/auxiliaryservices/

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