Relating To The University Of Hawaii.
The bill's implementation is expected to significantly impact how research faculty are compensated. By tying their salaries to extramural funding, the bill encourages faculty to secure external grants to support their work. This could enhance the quality of research conducted at the university as faculty may be more motivated to pursue and secure funding opportunities, ultimately benefiting the university's reputation and research output.
SB1394 aims to amend existing statutes related to the financial compensation of research faculty at the University of Hawaii. The bill mandates that a minimum of 25% of a research faculty member's salary must come from extramural funds and the research and training revolving fund generated by their respective units. This provision intends to ensure that these faculty members are funded through grants and contracts rather than solely through state allocations, promoting financial sustainability in the university's research departments.
However, the bill has raised questions regarding its implications on the job security and stability of research faculty. Critics may argue that relying heavily on external funding for salaries could lead to fluctuations in income based on grant availability, which might discourage prospective researchers from joining the faculty. Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential pressure on faculty to focus more on grant acquisition rather than the quality of research and instruction, thereby affecting the educational mission of the university.