Report of Announcements Made at the October 18th Board of Regents Meeting

University of Hawaiʻi
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Posted: Oct 18, 2002

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) held their monthly meeting today at Kapiʻolani Community College. The following recommendations were approved:

Proposed Amendments to Chapter 20-12, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Parking:

The BOR authorized public hearings to be held on proposed amendments to the current rules governing parking regulations and rates at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The proposed amendments are required to meet future budget requirements and to maintain UH Mānoa Parking Operations‘ self-sustaining status. The amendments would increase parking permit rates each year over a five-year period for employees, executive appointments and students. The increased rates will help meet projected future operating requirements, which include parking structure repairs, removal and replacement of existing fire alarm systems in the lower campus parking structures with a new unified system, a new video surveillance system, and the renovation of entry kiosks and roadway improvements. Parking Operations also plans to construct a 273-stall parking structure on the existing Hawaiian Studies gravel parking area. Planning and design is nearing completion and construction costs are projected at $3.8 million. This structure will provide additional parking for commuting students as well as dormitory students.

Transfer of Endowment Funds to a Reserve Account:

The BOR approved the transfer of $5 million from unrestricted funds of the Endowment Fund to a reserve account for the purpose of assuring that sufficient funds will be available in FY 2003 and FY 2004 for scholarships and other commitments of the Endowment Fund as stipulated by Board policy. The purpose of the request is to mitigate payout volatility, for known and existing obligations, caused by the continuing uncertainties in financial markets and the budgetary risks they present to University programs. Pursuant to Board policy, the University makes payouts out of earned income of the unrestricted fund of the Endowment Fund, and the payout amount is based upon the market value of the unrestricted fund as of June 30 of the applicable year.

2003 Legislative Proposals and Legislative Package:

The BOR approved a proposed legislative package and authorized the administration to submit the proposal to the 2003 State Legislature. The proposed bills would:

· Grant the Board of Regents flexibility to construct and maintain university projects;

· Provide appropriations for the payment of settlement of claims;

· Establish in Chapter 304, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, a University of Hawaiʻi Risk Management Special Fund;

· Safeguard all retirees, current and future employees of the University that there will be no reduction in or adjustment of retirement benefits;

· Allow certain rights and benefits which are presently available to married couples to two (2) individuals who are currently prohibited from marrying each other;

· Authorizes the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a civil service system as set forth in Chapter 76, HRS, for blue collar employees of the University; and to include the University in the definition of "justification" for collective bargaining purposes as it relates to civil service personnel;

· Further enhance the restructuring of government, whenever positions are identified for abolishment, if the reason is for modernizing business practices, the position count and monies shall remain with the department;

· Removes the statutory limitation which has prevented the University from implementing an optional retirement plan and to clarify that part-time and temporary University employees are not eligible for membership in the University‘s optional retirement plan; and

· Appropriate $500,000 for fiscal year 2004-2005 to enable CTAHR to begin to develop agribusiness incubators.

Establishment of a Master in Law (LLM) Degree for Foreign Law Professionals:

The BOR approved the establishment of a Master in Law (LLM) degree program for foreign law professionals in the William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Mānoa effective Fall 2003. The proposed LLM (Legum Magister) degree will address the growing interest of foreign-trained law professionals in learning more about the U.S. legal system. The mission of the proposed program is to enhance the international reputation of the UH law school and to enrich the international experience for faculty, staff and students, as well as increase tuition revenue.