Contact
person: Susan M. Schultz: smspoetryprof@gmail.com
I
MUA MĀNOA will hold a press conference after interim Chancellor
Robert Bley-Vroman's campus conversation (12-1 p.m., 11/3). At this
press conference, I MUA MĀNOA will demand the following:
--That
the interim Chancellor and UH administration solve the current budget
crisis on its flagship campus in order to avert imminent damage to
its departments and student services.
--That
$5 million dollars be transferred from the $30M rollover of funds so
that Arts & Sciences can operate until the end of the fiscal
year.
--That
UH administration cut Public Relations personnel before cutting any
of the faculty, instructors, or graduate teaching and research
assistants (GTAs and GRAs). That they not hire any new PR until a
plan for financial sustainability is adopted.
--That
UHM administration creatively use available funds to respond to the
short-term financial crisis.
Consider
utilizing short-term operational expenses tuition funds that have
been provided to divisions that have large reserves, such as part of
the $20M savings at the Cancer Center. These funds have recently been
transferred from the construction bond fund to the Cigarette Tax
account at the Cancer Center. Also consider reclaiming a portion of
start-up monies that were not spent within 3yrs of hiring from
research faculty hired with large start-up packages (those that were
awarded $500K-$1M or more).
--That
the interim Chancellor take action on administrators against whom
multiple complaints have been ruled, and who appear to be
contributing to the fiscal crisis.
--That,
for the longer term, the interim Chancellor develop a clear vision of
budget priorities in collaboration with faculty, and that such vision
be shared transparently.
--That
the budget process be inclusive of all stakeholders so that faculty,
students and staff may propose requests that support the missions of
the university.
--That
tuition follow students. Tuition allocations must be related to
enrollment so that units can sustainably operate with growing
enrollments, and so that successful units can themselves grow.
Students should receive increased services for the tuition monies
that they pay.
--That
a search be launched for a permanent Chancellor. Opening such a
search would send a strong message that the BOR wants to invest in
the long-term viability of UHM.
The
health of UHM is crucial to the rest of the UH system, as well as to
the state, because UHM teaches the teachers (public school teachers,
community college and other campus instructors); because research is
vital to furthering scientific and other work for the good of all;
and because the arts are not “elective,” but a crucial part of
our cultural lives. Our students deserve better.
I
Mua Mānoa (IMM) is a collective of dedicated students, faculty, and
staff determined to improve the quality of the University of Hawai`i
at Mānoa (UHM). We volunteer our skills, knowledge, and time to
develop a shared campus government, which is transparent and ethical
in its operations. We strive to develop a positive campus community
where the concerns of the students, faculty, and administration are
addressed equally and fairly.
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