Hawaii Senate Bill SR116

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22
• Report Pass: 4/4/22
• Passed: 4/5/22

Caption

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.

Impact

The resolution encourages the University to address the academic challenges faced by Filipino students, including their decline in transfer rates to four-year campuses. It also calls for the establishment of supportive academic programs and the filling of critical faculty positions to enhance educational opportunities for Filipino students. The report requested from the University is intended to detail budgetary needs and make recommendations to foster better educational outcomes, which could directly influence state educational policies.

Summary

Senate Resolution 116 requests the University of Hawaii to report on the efforts made by the Pamantasan Council to improve the status of Filipinos within the university system. This resolution underscores the significant demographic representation of Filipinos in Hawaii, who make up one-quarter of the state's population. The bill highlights concerns regarding the underrepresentation of Filipino students at key academic levels, particularly at four-year universities, and notes issues with faculty representation as well.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding SR116 is the recognition of Filipino faculty and their roles within the educational landscape. The legislation points out that many Filipino faculty members are employed in temporary positions, which can impact institutional stability and student support. Additionally, the resolution acknowledges the lack of curriculum options related to Philippine studies and languages, highlighting a gap that needs addressing to meet the educational needs of Filipino students.