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Ka Pe‘ahi Lono: Monthly Message for January

Date/Time sent: 01/11/2021 10:15 am

Aloha mai kākou!

Our first Peʻahi Lono for 2021 begins with a thought-provoking essay shared by Dr. Louis Herman, who described the essay in this way: “It deals elegantly with the intersection between economic, ecology and indigenous wisdom. Inspiration and action in the time of Covid.” The essay entitled The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance (published in Emergence Magazine) is written by Dr. Lipe’s mentor Robin Wal Kimmerer. Find it attached here or go to https://emergencemagazine.org/story/the-serviceberry/. The essay reminds us all of the importance of the metaphor “seasons” as a way to see the abundance of live, growth, and transformation. Indeed, framing the world through the lens of a mahiʻai/farmer and not the 20th century lens of manufacturing changes the way we speak and move through this life. The Serviceberry evokes a remembrance that rooting ourselves in reciprocal respect for aloha ʻāina/all that nurture us is important. That is, we are here to be transformative while being open to being transformed! I hope you enjoy, feel uplifted, and/or pause to think as you read or listen to this essay.

The “Hana Lawelawe” section of our monthly newsletter, which appears after our “Celebration of Good Works” archives our Spring 2021 Convocation/PD Day powerpoint presentation.

Please scroll down to the Important Announcement section.

E mālama pono!
Maenette Benham, Chancellor

Hana Lawelawe: On Leadership

Here is an overview of our Spring 2021 Convocation/Professional Development Day, Friday, January 8, 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Attached please find a copy of the slide deck presented (a recording will be available at a later date).

An overview of the presentation:

  1. Welcome
  2. Chancellor’s Message
  3. iVCSA Dr. Jan Javinar Message
  4. VCAA Dr. Jeff Moniz Message
  5. VCA Kevin Ishida Message
  6. Chancellor’s Call to Action: Campus Work Groups
  7. ASUHWO President Caton Liang Message
  8. Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Ed Keaunui Message
  9. Virtual Tour of the Creative Media Building
  10. Dr. Mays Imad on Healing and Moving Forward

UH President David Lassner, at the Board of Regents January 7, 2021 meeting, discussed the latest developments on the state budget. In his presentation to the Regents, Lassner stated that there are no formal plans for layoffs, retrenchment or reductions-in-force of faculty or staff with employment security within the 10-campus UH system until the Hawaii State Legislature approves a biennial budget and that budget is enacted by Gov. David Ige. His remarks also included an overview of the national events of the week, the spring 2021 semester and UH’s role in the state vaccination plan. The report can be viewed here: http://go.hawaii.edu/2fJ

A Celebration of Good Works: Kūlia i ka nuʻu (Reach for the Summit!)

Highlights from December 2020:

Catching up on 2020:

Announcements

Please refer to our weekly bulletins or our news site Ka Puna O Kaloʻi for more information, updates, news, and announcements.

Reminder: Faculty Verification of Non-Participation

This is a reminder that you must report through the MYUH Faculty Services Portal student NON-Participation in your class.  The portal opens on Wednesday, January 20 and closes on Monday, January 25.  (See attached infographic)

  1. Your participation in the Faculty Verification of Non-Participation through the MyUH Faculty Services Portal, helps our institution to comply with the UH System (EP 7.209) certifying student attendance and participation in class by the end of the late registration period.  Step by step instructions can be found:
  1. Additionally, your reporting of students who are not participating in class (No-Show) helps our institution to comply with USDOE Title IV financial aid policy to identify the first day of academic engagement and the last day of engagement for students receiving financial aid. Note compliance is required to ensure we can continue to award our students federal financial aid.
  2. Your participation sends a strong message of “faculty support and student engagement”.

Reminder: My Success E Ala Pono Information

Through the E Ala Pono Academic Progress Campaign, faculty are able to partner with our campus resources (Advising, Counseling, and the Noʻeau Center) to support the success of our students. In the E Ala Pono cycle faculty observe and interact with students and when behaviors or concerns arise (in the 3rd, and 7th week), the faculty may complete the progress update (MySuccess), which notifies both the student and the service area of concerns. A representative from the service area (Advisor, Mentor or Counselor, etc.) will meet with the student to create a success plan. The faculty will be notified of actions taken.

Progress Update 1:  January 25 – 31, 2021 (Portal closes at 11:59 p.m.)

Progress Update 2:  March 1 – 10, 2021 (Portal closes at 11:59 p.m.)

COVID-19 Update

Subject: AlohaSafe Alert COVID-19 notification app now available

To help in the fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with aio Digital and the Hawaii Executive Collaborative has launched AlohaSafe Alert, a free, COVID-19 exposure notification app: https://www.alohasafealert.org/

Once added to your smartphone, AlohaSafe Alert will send a notification within 48 hours if you come into close contact-within six feet for at least 15 minutes-with someone, who is also using the app, tests positive for the virus in the previous 14 days.

All of the data collected will be kept anonymous, and only DOH will have access to it. Should an app user test positive for COVID-19, their identity is kept private from anyone who receives an alert, and their identities are kept private from other app users.

The University of Hawaii joins DOH in encouraging everyone to download and utilize the AlohaSafe Alert app. The more people who use the app, the more effective it will be to stop the spread of COVID-19. The app is another tool in the effort to bring the pandemic that includes vaccination, wearing face coverings, practicing safe physical distancing and hand washing.