THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

51

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the University of Hawaii System to identify its most important foundational courses to ensure that foundational courses are not adversely impacted by the University of Hawaii System's current budget reductions during a period of increased enrollment.

 


     WHEREAS, Hawaii is facing a shortfall in the fiscal year 2009 budget, forcing the State to cut back on education, health care, and law enforcement expenditures; and

 

     WHEREAS, S.B. No. 747 has identified the University of Hawaii System as a key component in workforce development for a diversified economy, in order to ensure that such budget shortfalls become less likely in the future; and

 

     WHEREAS, statewide economic downturns have historically led to substantial increases in enrollment in the University of Hawaii System, with Fall 2008 enrollment up over five per cent at a time when all ten campuses face substantial cuts in their operating budgets; and

 

     WHEREAS, a student's performance in certain foundational courses would seem to be a predictor of that student's ability to meet the State's current and future workforce needs; and

 

     WHEREAS, budget cuts combined with increased enrollments may adversely impact the quality of such foundational courses; and

 

     WHEREAS, even an apparently small dilution of the quality of instruction in foundational courses may have long-term impacts on the quality of the State's future workforce; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is urged to identify its most important foundational courses; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii System is requested to ensure, in consultation with foundational course faculty, relevant peer-reviewed research, and national "best practice" standards, that foundational courses are not adversely impacted by the University of Hawaii System's current budget reductions during a period of increased enrollment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii System and the Co-Chairs of the All Campus Council of Faculty Senate Chairs.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

UH; Foundational Courses