Meeting Minutes
September 5, 2025

I. Opening Protocol

1. Call to Order: 11:31am
2. Mele Honouliuli:  Senator Ke‘alohi Perry
3. Land Acknowledgement: Faculty Senate Chair Stan Orr
4. Chair Stan Orr clarified that the meeting was informational rather than action-oriented and reminded members to complete the attendance form. Elections will be occurring soon. Quorum requirements were not enforced for this session.
5. Minutes from the May 2 meeting were reviewed, with the addition of a note to include the Chancellor’s report on convocation to commencement.
6. Dr. Katherine Aumer was formally welcomed as Vice Chair.

II. Administrative Reports

1. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Administration (Vice-Chancellor David McDonald)
   1. Reported that the campus budget was reviewed and approved by the Board of Regents committee, with final consideration scheduled in two weeks. UHWO (~$3 million) reported as typical and aligned with enrollment, sustainability, and energy initiatives.
   2. Provided an update on upcoming construction projects, including:
      1. PV array installation
      2. Library tower repairs (advance notice to be given before scaffolding installation)
      3. East entry renovations
      4. Cable landing site for Google
   3. Announced the hosting of The Wall That Heals exhibit, scheduled for January 13–20, expected to draw 2,000–3,000 visitors daily. Faculty were encouraged to consider incorporating the exhibit into their instruction.
2. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs (Vice-Chancellor Dee Uwono)
   1. Reported a 2.7% enrollment increase overall, with gains among freshmen (+5.9%) and transfer students (+7.1%). She also introduced the new direct admission system launching September 1 and shared updates on early college program restructuring, with Wela Wahilani appointed director.
   2. Noted a new U.S. Department of Education hazing policy requiring online training for student organizations.
   3. Action Item: Wela Wahilani will contact division chairs and faculty regarding early college restructuring and pathways to West O‘ahu.
3. Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Vice-Chancellor Harald Barkhoff)
   1. Welcomed Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. John Ayabe.
   2. Announced the successful transition to the new online platform Lamakū, thanking faculty and the Odell team for their efforts.
   3. Program approvals continue to advance, with the BACM program moving toward Board of Regents approval in October and the BSNS program progressing through CACAO review.
   4. Tenure and promotion workshops for faculty candidates will be held in September via Zoom.
4. Office of the Chancellor (Chancellor Maenette Benham)
   1. Chancellor Maenette Benham provided an overview of system initiatives, including:
      1. Early college pathway program
      2. Integration of AI and digital media in instruction, outreach, and administration
      3. New text-based student communication tool
      4. Enrollment management improvements across the UH System

      She also encouraged participation in upcoming events, including the He Lei Mahalo Donor Appreciation Luncheon (September 26) and the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce golf tournament (October 3).

   2. Action Items:
      1. OVCAA team will prepare for the October 3 golf tournament.
      2. Faculty will receive an email with volunteering opportunities.

      Chancellor Benham also reported that President Hensel is preparing a leadership transition plan to be shared by the next Faculty Senate meeting.

III. Faculty Senate Chair Reports

1. ASUHWO Report  (Pres. Rigoberto Gomez)
   1. President Rigo, representing ASUHWO, highlighted initiatives to increase hybrid and in-person courses, update the grievance process, and address student concerns. He encouraged faculty to support student government elections and broader student representation.Upcoming student events include:
      1. Student Life meeting (September 9)
      2. First General Senate meeting (September 10, 5–7 PM)
2. UBAC Update (Tom Scheiding / Aldayne Adlam)
   1. First meeting for Fall 2025 meeting will be September 10. Report will occur at next Faculty Senate Meeting.
3. Faculty Senate Chair Report (Chair Stan Orr)
   1. The Chair reported that elections are to be conducted this month in advance of the October meeting. Online ballots will be distributed to constituencies as needed.
   2. Senate Chair and Vice Chair attended All Campus Council on Faculty Senate Chairs (ACCFSC) Retreat. Discussed the restart of the General Education Redesign Initiative. Current working group members Megan Ross, Mike Pak, and Kaliko Correa can continue, with additional positions available. Due Sept 19th. President Hensel’s memo states that each campus may nominate 3–5 representatives.
   3. Faculty members were reminded to email the Chair and Vice Chair with additional comments regarding the May 2 minutes.

IV. Committee Reports (informational)

1. Academic Affairs and Planning (Sen. Katie Landgraf)
   1. First report scheduled for October.
2. Budget and Resources (Stephanie Kamai)
   1. Reported a $75,000 allocation and transition to Google Classroom for applications.
3. Curriculum Committee (CC) (Masahide Kato)
   1. Represented by CC Vice Chair Robyn Tasaka, with a reminder of the September 12 proposal deadline.
4. Distance Education (Sen. Katherine Aumer)
   1. Sen. and Sen. VC Katherine Aumer shared criteria and submission deadlines.
5. General Education (Sen. Megan Ross)
   1. Sen Megan Ross introduced herself as Vice Chair and outlined upcoming meetings.
6. Program Review (Sen. Joy Mahiko)
   1. Sen. Mahiko Joy highlighted program status and upcoming workshops.
7. Student Affairs (Sen Keʻalohi Perry)
   1. Sen Ke‘alohi invited participation.
8. Sustainability (Rouel Velasco)
   1. Encouraged faculty to seek sustainability-focused course designations and announced upcoming Mala student garden activities and EcoSwap.

V. Announcements

None

VI. Faculty Discussion in Executive Session (time permitting and by request)

1. Senate Chair provided opportunity to call for Executive Session. No request was given.

VII. ADJOURN

12:34pm