Requesting The University Of Hawaii To Report On The Pamantasan Council's Systemwide Efforts To Improve The Status Of Filipinos At The University Of Hawaii.
The bill seeks to facilitate improvements in representation, success, and academic performance of Filipino students, faculty, and staff at the University of Hawaii. It requests a comprehensive report from the university, focusing on various areas including the 2019 appropriation for the Pamantasan Council and its subsequent budgetary needs. This report is intended to guide the development of recommendations and necessary legislation to enhance Filipino-related curriculum offerings and to increase faculty representation, thus striving for greater equity within the university system.
SCR132 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to report on the Pamantasan Council's systemwide efforts aimed at improving the status of Filipinos within the university system. The resolution highlights the demographic significance of Filipinos in Hawaii, noting that they represent one-quarter of the state's population. Despite progress in student representation at community colleges, there has been a noted decline in their transfer rates to four-year campuses, indicating systemic issues that the resolution attempts to address.
Ultimately, SCR132 intends to fortify the role of the Pamantasan Council in advocating for Filipinos at the University of Hawaii. By mandating a report on improvement efforts and resource allocation, it aims to ensure that Filipino students can more effectively access higher education and contribute to Hawaii's workforce as fully empowered citizens. The outcomes of this resolution could have significant implications for broader educational equity and representation within the state's academic institutions.
Notably, there are concerns regarding the underrepresentation of Filipino faculty and critical, permanent faculty positions remaining unfilled. The bill stresses the importance of addressing these gaps, especially in light of the challenges faced by the Filipino community, including those amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics might argue that without adequate resources and support, the Pamantasan Council's efforts could be hampered, reducing its effectiveness in improving educational outcomes for Filipino students.