UH HILO FACULTY CONGRESS
AGENDA FOR MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2007
K-127 3:00 - 5:00 pm
OLD BUSINESS
1. Approval of the minutes of the February 16, 2007 meeting:
http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhh/congress/documents/Congress06-07Minutes03-23-07.doc
2. Report from the Chair. ACCFSC has been discussing faculty evaluation of administrators and
has been following closely the process that UH Hilo Faculty Congress has approved. There is
widespread consensus and support for the notion that faculty evaluation of administrators
should be given the same consideration as other evaluations are given. There is also a
discussion of whether there should be an Academic Senate that is system-level and that will
represent all the faculty of the UH System to the President and the BOR. There is no
consensus on this system-level Faculty Senate as yet.
3. Results of the Administrative Review conducted by UH Faculty Congress. Faculty Congress
shall go into Executive Session and all non-voting members and visitors will be asked to
leave for the duration of the executive session. No notes will be taken of this session.
Reports from committee chairs:
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Gail Makuakane-Lundin, Admissions Committee. Report from the Chair.
Sevki Erdogan, Assessment Support Committee. Report from the Chair.
Philippe Binder, General Education Committee. Report from the Chair
Barbara Leonard, Budget Committee. Report from the Chair.
Kelly Burke, Academic Policy Committee. Report from the Chair :
Recommendation #1: Double Majors and Concurrent Degrees
Problem Statement
The current policy on double majors and concurrent degrees is that no more than nine credit
hours from the first major can be applied towards a second major. Strict interpretation of this
policy would prevent students from double majoring in programs (say, agriculture and
biology) that require more than nine credits of supporting courses (such as writing,
mathematics, and chemistry). The current practice, however, is to exclude "supporting
courses from related disciplines" from counting towards the nine credits. The current practice
is unsatisfactory for three reasons: (1) it is not consistent with strict interpretation of the
written policy, (2) there is considerable confusion among advisors and students about what is
and is not allowed, and (3) it is unclear how to apply this practice to majors that do not list
"supporting " requirements separately. A consideration asks whether we intend to penalize or
encourage students that have broad interests or wish to pursue interdisciplinary careers.
Recommendation
The UHH Faculty Congress Academic Policy Committee considers the following points to be
significant in making its recommendation.
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
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Fundamental to the rationale underlying the APC’s recommendation is that if a student has
studied the material and fulfilled the requirements for a degree or a major, then they have
earned that degree or major.
To ask a student to learn some other additional material, not required of students earning just
one of the degrees or majors, sets a double standard and is therefore inherently unfair.
Following presentation of its recommendation last year, Congress asked the APC to
reexamine the issue, without having stated a specific concern. In the course of our
discussions this year no new questions, issues or information have emerged to suggest any
change in the outcome of our considerations.
Given the above stated points, the Academic Policy Committee recommends making the
following changes to the current UH Hilo catalog (page 54).
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Second Baccalaureate Degrees
A student who has already received a baccalaureate degree may earn a second
baccalaureate degree of a different type (e.g., B.S. vs. B.A.) or the same type of degree
provided that:
The major is different from the prior degree.
The student uses no more than nine semester credit hours from the first major to
satisfy
the second major.
The student completes a minimum of 30 semester credit hours at UH Hilo after
the first
degree is awarded.
All degree requirements are met.
Move to drop the second bullet point:
The student uses no more than nine semester credit hours from the first major to satisfy
the second major.
Concurrent Degrees
A student may earn and graduate with two degrees simultaneously provided that:
 The degrees are different (e.g., B.B.A. and B.S. but not two B.S. degrees).
 The degrees are in different majors.
 The requirements for both degrees are met with no more than nine credits
counting simultaneously toward the requirements of both majors.
Move to drop the third bullet point:
The requirements for both degrees are met with no more than nine credits counting
simultaneously toward the requirements of both majors.
Double Majors
A student may earn one degree (e.g., a B.A.) and graduate with two majors (double major) by
meeting the requirements for both majors with no more than nine credits counting simultaneously
toward the minimum requirements of both majors. All degree requirements associated with each
major must be fulfilled before the degree is awarded.
Move to adopt new wording:
A student may earn one degree (e.g., a B.A.) and graduate with two majors (double major)
provided that all degree requirements associated with each major are fulfilled before the
degree is awarded.
Recommendation #2: University 101 (UNIV 101)
Problem Statement:
The course was initiated a number of years ago by the CAS. The course objective is to provide a
supporting experience for first-year freshman students, especially those considered at risk for
experiencing academic problems during their tenure at UHH. Faculty teaching the class initially
were primarily from CAS. In recent years however, delivery of the class has fallen largely to
Student Services. Concern has arisen related to the oversight and monitoring of course
objectives and quality.
After a number of discussions with representatives from Student Services (including several
people who teach or have taught the class), the Chair of the CAS Faculty Senate, the Dean of the
CAS and a representative from the VCAA’s office, the following points have been discovered:
 Student Services acknowledges the need for better monitoring of course planning,
content, delivery procedures, and quality.
 Since the course is in fact a CAS course, the Chair of the CAS Senate has expressed a
willingness for the CAS Faculty Senate (likely via the CAS Curriculum Review
Committee) to examine the course with an eye toward the concerns stated here.
 The CAS Dean has similarly indicated a willingness to take responsibility for the planning
and oversight of the course, again with an eye toward the concerns stated here.
Recommendation
In view of the above considerations, the UHH Faculty Congress Academic Policy Committee is
satisfied that both Student Services and the CAS intend to examine the monitoring and delivery of
University 101 with the intention of ensuring consistent quality in the course.
The committee therefore recommends that the UHH Faculty Congress send a copy of this
summary to Student Services, the CAS Dean and the Chair of the CAS Faculty Senate.
The committee further recommends that no other action regarding University 101 be taken at this
time.
NEW BUSINESS
9. The VC Academic Affairs office has requested approval of these proposed changes to the
document "Contract Renewal, Promotion, Tenure for Teaching Faculty," found on the
VCAA’s website:
Page 8: eliminate the following paragraph: “Upon receipt of a dossier, the DPC (or DC if the DPC
has not yet convened) will invite the applicant's department to submit comments through the
department chair regarding the applicant's achievements. The DPC/DC will specify a deadline by
which comments must be received. Comments will be inserted into Appendix C of the dossier.
Departments that decline to submit comments should submit a letter to that effect, and this letter
will be inserted into Appendix C.”
Page 25: Colleague comments:
Eliminate paragraph 1: “After the dossier has been submitted, the applicant's department will be
invited to submit comments regarding the applicant's achievements. Departments that decline to
submit comments will instead submit a letter explaining that they are declining. These
comments--or the declining letter--will be inserted into Appendix C by the DPC/DC.”.
Replace with:
Candidates are strongly encouraged to request letters from their department Chair and other
members of the department. These letters should include a statement about the department’s
continued need for the candidate’s expertise and service and the candidate’s contributions to the
functioning of the department. These letters should be placed in Appendix C: Comments from the
Department.
Rationale: This revised language will help clear up some misunderstanding with the current
language, and will help facilitate the tenure and promotion process next year.
10.
CAS Senate Chair, Jim Juvik, will propose the following resolutions to Congress that are
based on resolutions passed by the CAS Senate at its 4/27/07 meeting:

Proposed UHH Congress Motion on Procedures for Filling Senior Administrative
Positions
Whereas while the UHH Congress recognizes and appreciates that faculty are
well represented on current senior administrative search committees, it is
essential to best practices shared university governance that all faculty, staff, and
students have an opportunity to participate in direct, on-campus interviews with
prospective finalist candidates for senior administrative positions at UHH,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress requests that the UHH administration (and designated
search committees) ensure that on-site candidate interviews take place during
the established academic year (August 15 – May 15),
When both students and nine-month faculty are available.

Proposed UHH Congress motion on Concerns Relative to Pending Senior
Administrative Appointments at UHH
Whereas there is a long history at UHH of an administrative culture that has
inappropriately vested in the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs powers
relative to academic policy making that are more appropriately the responsibility
of the college academic Deans and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs;
and
Whereas a consistent lack of fiscal transparency and a blurring of appropriate
administrative roles as regards the Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs and
Administrative Affairs has resulted in significant under-resourcing and
inappropriate prioritizations relative to the core academic missions at UHH,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress recommends to the UHH Chancellor and the current Vice
Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Search Committee that a new appointment
to this important position is essential to the establishment of proper
administrative roles and to confirm the preeminent position of academic policymaking over fiscal management at UHH.

Proposed UHH Congress Motion on the Awarding of “Instant” Tenure To Senior
Administrative Hires
Whereas the awarding of “instant” tenure to new senior administrative
appointments is inconsistent with established standards (timelines, on-campus
performance reviews) and procedures for awarding of tenure and promotion; and
Whereas in the past the awarding of “instant” tenure to senior UHH
administrators has sometimes created a range of litigation and expensive
settlement costs upon termination of administrative appoints; and
Whereas senior administrative appointments typically carry high salaries that
compensate for a lack of long-term job security,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress opposes the awarding of “instant” tenure to new senior
administrative appointments.
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Proposed UHH Congress Motion on Teaching Release Time for New Faculty
Hires
Whereas as the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo achieves the status of a
comprehensive University with a mix of undergraduate and graduate teaching
responsibilities and greater research commitments, UHH will move into a more
competitive faculty recruitment environment; and
Whereas given current faculty demographics and the implications of pending
salary increases, it is anticipated that a significant increase in faculty retirements
will occur over the next five years; and
Whereas the number of faculty searches at UHH is, thus, likely to increase
significantly over this period; and
Whereas teaching release is already an ad hoc negotiated component of
recruitment and can lead to inequitable treatment of new faculty; and
Whereas there are already inadequate budgetary resources to recruit and retain
high quality faculty,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress moves that the UHH administration implement a
comprehensive and fully funded faculty hiring and retention plan that will include
teaching release time for newly hired faculty in the first year. This teaching
release time will include a standard one course reduction in the first semester of
employment, and the UHH administration will add the lecturer replacement cost
for this release to the UHH base budget.
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Proposed UHH Congress Motion on Relocation Costs For New Faculty Hires
Whereas as the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo achieves the status of a
comprehensive University with a mix of undergraduate and graduate teaching
responsibilities and greater research commitments, UHH will move into a more
competitive faculty recruitment environment; and
Whereas given current UHH faculty demographics and the implications of
pending salary increases, it is anticipated that a significant increase in faculty
retirements will occur over the next five years; and
Whereas the number of faculty searches is, thus, likely to increase significantly
over this period; and
Whereas relocation costs are typically a component of hiring negotiation; and
Whereas the remoteness of the Hawaiian Islands places special burdens on
faculty and family relocation; and
Whereas there are already inadequate budgetary resources to recruit and retain
high quality faculty,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress moves that the UH administration should consult with the
faculty and the UH System in formulating a clear policy and appropriate budget to
ensure UH competitiveness in the hiring process with respect to negotiated new
tenure track faculty relocation costs. The Congress further moves that any
relocation reimbursement policy remain flexible to account for family size and
travel/shipping distance from UH, and that each amount is specified within the
offer letter.

Proposed Draft UHH Congress Motion on Start-up Costs for New Faculty Hires
Whereas as the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo achieves the status of a
comprehensive University with a mix of undergraduate and graduate teaching
responsibilities and greater research commitments, UHH will move into a more
competitive faculty recruitment environment; and
Whereas given current UHH faculty demographics and the implications of
pending salary increases, it is anticipated that a significant increase in faculty
retirements will occur over the next five years; and
Whereas the number of faculty searches at UHH is, thus, likely to increase
significantly over this period; and
Whereas new faculty startup costs are typically a negotiated item in the hiring
process and could be expected to increase as the University transitions to
comprehensive status; and
Whereas there are already inadequate budgetary resources to recruit and retain
high quality faculty,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress moves that the UHH administration should consult with the
faculty in formulating a clear policy and appropriate budget to ensure UHH
competitiveness in the hiring process with respect to negotiated new faculty
startup costs. The Congress further moves that prior to new hire negotiations,
the respective College Deans consult with the relevant department chair to
determine an appropriate and competitive startup cost offer.

Proposed Draft UHH Congress Motion on Implications of Competitive Salary and
Equity Relating to New Faculty Hires
Whereas as the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo moves to achieve the status of a
comprehensive University with a mix of undergraduate and graduate teaching
responsibilities and greater research commitments, UHH will find itself in a more
competitive faculty recruitment environment; and
Whereas given current UHH faculty demographics and the implications of
pending salary increases, it is anticipated that a significant increase in faculty
retirements will occur over the next five years; and
Whereas the number of faculty searches at UHH is, thus, likely to increase
significantly over this period; and
Whereas in the past departments have been asked to make the unpalatable
choice of either acquiescing to a high salary offer to attract a desirable candidate
(that would result in compression/equity and potential morale problems among
existing faculty), or remaining within departmental salary scales and potentially
losing the best candidates; and
Whereas there are already inadequate budgetary resources to recruit and retain
high quality faculty,
Therefore be it resolved:
The UHH Congress moves that the UHH administration should consult with the faculty in
formulating a clear policy and appropriate budget to ensure that in the competitive hiring
process equity/compression issues generated by new hires are immediately resolved.