Our History & Function

The Academic Excellence & Student Success Committee (AESSC), formerly known as the Academic Procedures Committee (APC), was created through the merger of two committees in Fall 1943: The Committee on Admissions, established in Fall 1928 and the Committee on Scholastic Standing established in Fall 1935. Edward White, who was the director of admissions at the time, was the committee’s first chair.

The Committee on Admissions was formed to enhance the admissions procedures and process of the University. Its first chair was Thayne M. Livesay, who also served as the first director of admissions.

The Committee on Scholastic Standing was formed to recommend academic policies to the university’s leadership. Its first chair was Ernest C. Webster, who was the dean of student personnel (a role similar to todays dean of students).

AESSC functions as advisory to the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence, Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success, and Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management on matters relating to the development and implementation of academic policies, procedures, standards and actions that students normally encounter during their academic journeys at the university.

The work of AESSC are significant for the continued development of the variety of academic policies, decisions, and directions at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.