Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2025

I. Opening Protocol

1. Mele Honouliuli: Sen. Keʻalohi Perry.
2. Land Acknowledgment: Sen. Chair Stan Orr.
3. Quorum: Quorum was established after a brief delay, during which the agenda was reordered to hear Administrative Reports first.

II. Administrative Reports

1. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Administration (Vice-Chancellor David McDonald):
   1. The Wall That Heals: Announced that the mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial exhibit will be on the Great Lawn from January 12-19, with setup beginning January 13.
   2. Legislative Session: The session runs from January 21 to May 8; as a supplemental session, budget opportunities are expected to be limited.
   3. Film Studio: Reported that the film studio proposal is progressing, with a press release issued, though it still requires final Board of Regents approval.
2. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs (Leslie on behalf of VC Dee Uwono):
   1. Banner System Shutdown: Announced a critical shutdown of the Banner system. Grades are due by December 11th; a special window for West Oʻahu submission will open December 18th and 19th.
   2. Grade Visibility: Students will be able to view grades starting January 3rd.
3. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs (John Ayabe on behalf of VC Harald Barkhoff):
   1. Registration: Thanked faculty for encouraging early registration for Spring due to the impending Banner shutdown.
   2. Program Development: The campus is in the early stages of working with the UH System to identify online programs and is exploring a 90-unit Bachelor of Applied Science degree to facilitate transfers from community colleges.
4. Office of the Chancellor (Chancellor Maenette Benham):
   1. The Chancellor delivered a farewell address, expressing deep appreciation for the faculty’s service and encouraging them to live by the campus values (Pahuhopu).
   2. Commencement: Encouraged faculty participation in the mid-year commencement on Saturday, December 13.
      1. Faculty Marshals: Alphie Garcia (Library) and Jan Javinar (Student Affairs)
      2. Student Speakers: Nicole Quibol (HUM – Philosophy) and Tinousi Mulitauaopele (BUSA – Finance & Data Analytics)

III. Action Items: Approval of Faculty Senate Minutes:

1. Academic Affairs and Planning (Sen. Katie Landgraf):
   1. Shared a “Course Low Enrollment Guidelines” document to assist faculty in getting low-enrollment courses approved
2. Budget and Resources (Sen. Brenda Machosky):
   1. Presented BRC award recommendations for approval. The report was amended to include an award for Patricia Yu, whose application had been missed due to a spreadsheet error and will be officially approved in the upcoming weeks
   2. Announced Sen. Machosky’s resignation as committee chair effective December 15
   3. The committee moved that the report and recommendations be adopted as amended, and the recommendations were adopted without objection
3. Curriculum Committee (Sen. Robyn Tasaka/Masahide Kato):
   1. Presented a report covering new courses and course modifications
   2. The committee moved that the votes and recommendations report be adopted, and the recommendations were adopted without objection
4. Distance Education (Sen. Katherine Aumer):
   1. Presented a report with DE course and program approvals and noted the committee is exploring changes to the DE designation process
   2. The committee moved the approvals and recommendations contained in its report be adopted, and the recommendations were adopted without objection
5. General Education (Sen. Megan Ross):
   1. The committee approved various courses for designations (WI, OC, DB)
   2. System-wide Update: Presented an update on the Gen Ed redesign, which aims for a single, system-wide 60-credit structure. Discussion included the “no double-dipping” rule for Written Communication and Quantitative Reasoning and the push to include HAP, WI, and Oral Communication as system-wide focus requirements
   3. The committee moved the approvals and recommendations be adopted, and the recommendations were adopted without objection.
6. Program Review (Sen. Joy Mahiko):
   1. Reported that the committee is supporting faculty leads with program reviews and will create a template for annual program updates in the spring.
7. Sustainability (Sen. Rouel Velasco):
   1. Student Pitch and Present Competition: The Senate officially approved the winners of the competition: Portia Toma (seed-saving initiative) and Patrick Iwasa (composting project)
   2. The committee moved that the report be adopted, and the recommendations were adopted unanimously
8. Student Affairs (Sen. Keʻalohi Perry):
   1. Reported support for the resolution honoring Dr. Jan Javinar

IV. Faculty Senate Chair Reports

1. ASUHWO Update (Pres. Rigoberto Gomez):
   1. Reported that student government has passed seven bills and two resolutions, including a cap-and-gown loan program, and is researching student needs such as extended library hours.
2. Faculty Senate Chair Report (FS Chair Stan Orr):
   1. Faculty Senate Agenda Minutes for Nov 2025 meeting: Sen. Chair Stan Orr noted that the meeting minutes from November 7, 2025, were approved as posted, hearing no objections.
   2. Leeward-West Oʻahu Integration: Reported on the formation of a joint committee with Leeward Community College to develop a document for Chancellor Peñaloza regarding the “dual mission institution” exploration. The document will request formal confirmations, specifically regarding assurances against reductions in force.
   3. Academic Freedom:
      1. Noted upcoming system-wide consultations regarding revisions to the academic freedom policy.

V. New Business:

1. Feedback about Executive LMS policy
   1. Draft
   2. Feedback Form
2. Student Transfer
   1. EP 5.209 Clean
   2. EP 5.209 Redline
   3. Feedback Form EP 5.209
3. Retirement Resolutions:
   1. Resolution Honoring Dr. Jan Minoru Javinar:
      1. Senator Robyn Tasaka presented a resolution, co-sponsored by the Student Affairs Committee, honoring Dr. Jan Javinar for his 43 years of service to the University of Hawaiʻi System upon his retirement.
      2. Motion: The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Faculty Senate.
   2. A discussion ensued regarding the recognition of other retiring leaders, specifically Chancellor Maenette Benham and Dr. Rick Jones. Senators Christy Mello and Tom Scheiding raised the possibility of amending the current resolution to include them; however, it was determined that separate and distinct resolutions or actions would be more appropriate to honor their specific contributions.
      1. Possible Policy Development: The Senate agreed to develop a formal policy and procedure in the Spring to standardize how retiring faculty are honored in the future, with the goal of promoting consistency and efficiency in the process.

VI. Faculty Discussion in Executive Session

Executive Session took place.

VII. Adjourn

1:35pm