Vision
Our shared goal in determining the structure for Arts and Sciences is to ensure that A&S is in the best position to serve as the vital heart of UH Manoa. I certainly appreciate the great interest this issue has generated and I am grateful for the creative and thoughtful ideas that have been put forward.
From what I've heard and learned from you, there is a need to increase the stature and strengthen the role of the Arts and Sciences on the campus. Many suggestions revolved around facilitating coordination of programs, determining investment areas, generating new revenue sources, and organizing infrastructure to support faculty, staff and students.
This drives me to conclude that the model I wish to pursue is for a single Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to provide greater coordination, visibility, voice, stature and a shared direction.I believe this is the best model for the following reasons:
- A single dean will provide a collective vision, voice, and direction to the Liberal Arts at Manoa.
- It provides a clear decision-making structure that will have the ability to prioritize, move resources,and make academic decisions across the disciplines of Arts and Sciences.
- A single dean with greater visibility and vision will foster greater support from the external community.
- A single dean model aligns with the way Faculty Governance is currently configured in the College.
- More centralized administration among the Arts and Sciences allows for the development and implementation of broader educational goals and accountability for the undergraduate experience.
- Pooled administrative staff is more efficient and effective.
- This model is an organizational structure best suited to maximize student success and the deployment of the
Manoa experience.
It will better serve the interests of students, graduate and undergraduate, and make us more attractive to students as they consider UHM. - A single college will allow for greater fostering of interdisciplinary work.
Finally, I believe that there is great value in making a decision, even an imperfect one, rather than continuing the current model of uncertainty and disempowered leadership that is
pending reorganization.
There are many subsequent decisions that must be made, such as:
- What are the the authorities and responsibilities of positions reporting to the Dean
- Whether we can elevate this deanship within our academic structure to give it the heft and influence necessary.
- What is the best organization of programs within a division
I look forward to working together to make a successful transition to this model after consultation about the transition process with the appropriate governance groups. That consultation will also assist in establishing the most appropriate timeline and process for implementation, and that information will certainly be shared broadly. However, I want to move forward in making strategic investments now that are needed to support A&S. I have asked the deans and I am asking you for suggestions that would strengthen activities critical in supporting A&S.
To move forward we have two groups working on issues:
- I have established a Working Group to advise me on the most relevant professional and personal qualities that a new Arts and Sciences College Dean will need to possess. In addition, this group will recommend best practices for moving from multiple colleges to a one college model. The working group will consider the best process for achieving this goal as well as the best outcome when the group's work is finished.
- The current Deans of Arts and Sciences and SPAS are working on college reorganization models that reflect different strengths and weaknesses. These two groups will be coordinating their efforts in the near future.
Mahalo for your many contributions to UH Manoa,
Virginia Hinshaw