Action Needed

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If you have any questions, email UHPA at:

questions@uhpa.org

March 2008 Board Notes

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NEA HIGHER EDUCATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT

NEA Director for Higher Education
Sally Pestana reported that her idea how to raise political action
contributions for NEA-PAC was well received by NEA Board members.  In turn, she has challenged the 180 NEA Directors to do the same.  She will learn more in May—the next time the NEA Board meets.

She and other UHPA Board Directors
will be attending the NEA Higher Education Conference, which is being
held this year from March 28-30 at the Hilton Washington Hotel in
Washington, DC.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

  • President
    Joseph Chernisky reminded Directors that the Annual Membership meeting
    is scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2008 at Leeward Community College.  Committee
    chairs have been notified that their reports to be included in the
    Annual Membership meeting packet are due on Monday, April 14.  Committee chairs were asked to update their committee binders.  Additionally,
    he emphasized that we need to practice having clear communications
    between committee chairs, members, and staff to avoid any confusion as
    to the time, place, and date of a meeting.
  • A draft of a funding template was shared with Directors.  President
    Chernisky explained that to have due diligence in their fiduciary
    responsibilities, the Executive Committee would appreciate at least
    24-hours’ notice for any funding requests.  Because of the
    number of funding requests received recently and what may be
    anticipated in the future, a funding template has been created.  After it has been finalized, it will be put on UHPA’s website with guidelines.
  • President
    Chernisky and Executive Director J. N. Musto met with Governor Linda
    Lingle and her Senior Policy Advisor Linda Smith on February 13
    regarding the Hawaii Higher Education Commission.  The intent of the Commission is geared more toward K-12.
  • It was reported that 22 candidates have been selected for the Board of Regents.  Regents Andres Albano, Jr., Michael Dahilig, Ramon dela Pena, and Kitty Lagareta are among those selected.  To view the Regents Candidate Advisory Council selections, go to http://www.hawaii.edu/rcac/.
  • It has been nearly 5 ½ years since Bargaining Unit 7 members ratified the 2003-2009 Agreement between UHPA and the UH-BOR.  The faculty contract will expire on June 30, 2009, and UHPA’s priority will be to focus on negotiating the next contract.
  • President
    Chernisky expressed his appreciation to the chairs and members of the
    Collective Bargaining Committee, the Legislative/Political Action
    Committee, the Nominations and Elections Committee and to the Ad Hoc
    Committee on Special Projects.  They have all been working diligently on a multitude of things and putting in long hours.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Executive Director J. N. Musto reported that the P-20 Council continues to meet.  The
    P-20 Council is a partnership of the Good Beginnings Alliance, the
    State of Hawaii Department of Education, and the University of Hawaii.  Their agenda focuses on preschool through postsecondary education.  For information about the P-20 Council go to http://www.p20hawaii.org/.  UH
    faculty members, including Director Karla Hayashi, have been
    participating in the American Diploma Project that reports that today’s
    workforce requires more education and training, with many high school
    graduates not prepared for college or work.  The Board of
    Education recently approved three graduating degrees—the normal
    18-credit degree, an advanced 24-credit degree, and a more advanced
    28-credit degree that concentrates on math and sciences.  To
    achieve a specific number of students graduating by the year 2020, the
    Council has sought commitments from employers, construction/technical
    unions, and the University of Hawaii to ensure that if high school
    graduates have those earned degrees, they would be accepted if they
    applied to their programs.
  • Hawaii AFL-CIO President Randy Perreira is the new Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA).  Executive Director Musto has discussed the scope of bargaining with the state on matters such as health benefits.  Of mutual interest to all public sector unions is having paid family leave including child care and care for the elderly.  The
    public sector unions will be meeting to discuss these issues and the
    best approach to achieve changes in public policies pertaining to them.
  • Directors were reminded that after July 1, 1996 newly hired public employees needed to work 25 years before they received the full health insurance premiums at retirement.  Employees with 10 years vested service would receive 50% health insurance coverage.  Those
    with 15 years vested service would receive 75% health insurance
    coverage, and employees with 25 years vested service would receive 100%
    health insurance coverage.  For public employees hired after July 1, 2001, the state will only pay the health insurance premiums at retirement for the retiree and not their spouse or dependants.  The spouse or dependant coverage is still offered, but the retiree must pay the full cost.  Employees
    are qualified to retire if they are 62 years or older (55 years for
    those that remained in the old contributory system) with 10 or more
    vested years of service.  If a faculty member, even if
    they are less than 62 years old, passes away during their employment,
    his or her spouse would receive health insurance coverage based on a
    prorated payout.  If a faculty member is already retired
    and death occurs, the spouse would receive health insurance coverage
    based on the election at retirement.  Information whether or not a domestic partner would receive similar benefits was not available.  Executive Director Musto indicated he would check on the matter further.
  • Associate
    Executive Director Jim Kardash provided an overview of the different
    contract matters, faculty issues, and complaints he has been
    addressing, which include the following:  ŒThe
    department/division policies for UH-Manoa, UH-Hilo, UH-West Oahu, and
    the Community Colleges received by UHPA have now been included on
    UHPA’s website under the Members Only section at http://uhpa.org/members-only/DPP.  For the past two months, many of the calls received concerned contract non-renewals.  Recently, UHPA has had more calls regarding denials of promotion or tenure cases.  ŽOver
    the last year, Kapiolani Community College’s administrators were
    attempting to implement policies that they consider to be guidelines
    regarding summer session teaching load.  The KCC administration has attempted to limit the number of courses that faculty members can teach during the Summer Session.  UHPA is filing a class grievance to deal with this issue directly.
  • Associate
    Executive Director Kristeen Hanselman reported that she has had similar
    complaint cases dealing with contract non-renewals and promotion
    denials.  Many of the problems stem from administrators’
    behaviors and attitudes toward individual faculty members, and the
    administrators’ ignoring the contract or failing to understand its
    terms.  Directors highly agreed that UH administrators,
    including department chairs, need to be more knowledgeable about the
    faculty contract and recommend that UHPA work with the UH
    administration to establish training programs.
  • Executive Director Musto reported that the UH Board of Regents’ monthly meeting was held at Honolulu Community College.  UHPA
    filed a class action grievance for violation of Article XXIII,
    Appointment, Duties, and Compensation for Academic Chairs, Section D,
    which indicates that the duties of academic chairs would be in a
    revised UH System Faculty Handbook.  This has deterred the Regents’ approval of the proposed change to BOR Policy 9-1a(3) regarding academic chairs.  (Note:  Since
    the time of the Board meeting, the UH System Administration has
    withdrawn the propose changes to the BOR policy and the creation of a
    new Administrative Policy concerning the duties of department chairs in
    response to UHPA’s class grievance.)

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Ming-Bao Yue reported on the fifth month (January 2008) of the UHPA fiscal year.    She
explained the various expenditures incurred for the past month that
includes attorney fees for the work done to be in compliance with the
not-for-profit corporate laws of Hawaii, outside service fees for the
design modifications of the Akala building, etc.  Directors passed a motion to receive the Treasurer’s report and to refer it to the Finance Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

◘       President Chernisky reported that the Executive Committee approved two requests from the Ad Hoc Committee on Special Projects.  §Students
from Maui Community College, Leeward Community College and UH-Manoa are
planning a two-day visit with state legislators, UHPA’s lobbyist, and
UHPA leaders to experience and learn about Hawaii’s politics.  The visit is tentatively scheduled for March 13 and 14.  The Executive Committee passed a motion to approve $600 for the travel costs of five Maui Community College students.  Chair
Joshua Cooper was asked to communicate this activity with other
campuses via their student groups and suggest that funding for travel
expenditures be supported by those groups.  §The Fourth Annual Human Rights Day will be held on March 13.  The theme this year is “Human Rights: Quality of Life.”  Organizations will have their displays on the third floor of the State Capitol.  The Executive Committee passed a motion to approve $500 for tee shirts for volunteers and a banner to hang during the event.

◘       The
Executive Committee received additional information on the 2008 Hawaii
Symposium on Palestine; however, the event was already half way through
and there were still some unanswered questions.  Due to the untimely submission of the request, funding could not be considered.  The
Executive Committee also received a request from the Ad Hoc Women’s
Committee, who were participating in Women’s Rights Day by providing a
series of films that would be free to the public to view on March 8, 9,
10, and 14 at the Art Auditorium on the UH-Manoa campus.  Director Josh Cooper was instrumental in getting the films at no charge from the United Nations.  The
Women’s Committee requested funding for tee shirts for this event,
which had already begun and tee shirts still needed to be printed.  Due to the untimely submission of the request, funding could not be considered.

◘       Due
to the number of funding requests UHPA has received, a draft of a
funding request form has been created and shared with Directors.  Guidelines are still being worked on.  Directors agreed with the concept and felt it should be accessible to members via the UHPA website.

◘       Associate
Executive Director Kristeen Hanselman reported that in preparation for
Hawaii’s 2010 Constitutional Convention (Con Con), she has had meetings
and conversations with the leadership of the National Education
Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, namely with
their new Executive Director Michael McCartney.  The three
organizations have agreed to a coalition to do a base-line political
poll to deal with the issues relating to the Con Con and to determine
how to proceed.  Each party will put $20,000 toward this poll, which will be conducted by Market Trends Pacific, Inc.  Funding from UHPA will come from the PAC Fund.  Directors
were informed that if there is a Con Con, citizens of Hawaii will be
looking at 3-4 years attached to a new governance document that could
be radical, dealing with delegate selection, etc.  Directors passed a motion recommended by the Executive Committee to
designate $20,000 from the PAC Fund to be used to survey and poll
members in preparation for Hawaii’s Constitutional Convention.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE

Directors received copies of UHPA’s
initial draft bargaining proposal package, including salary schedules,
for their review and input.  They were asked to send their comments/suggestions to UHPA by 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 10.  The draft document will be placed in the Board of Directors’ folder on the UHPA website, which would enable comments from them.  UHPA Executive Director Musto reviewed each of the changes being proposed.  The Collective Bargaining Committee will meet on April 11 to finalize the draft.  At
its monthly meeting on April 12, the Board of Directors will be asked
to approve the bargaining proposal for submission to the State’s Chief
Negotiator, the Board of Regents, and UH President David McClain.  On
Monday, April 14, UHPA Executive Director J. N. Musto will send a
formal letter to the employer, demanding that bargaining begin.  Directors
gave a round of applause to show their appreciation to UHPA Executive
Director Musto, Chair Karla Hayashi and members of the Collective
Bargaining Committee for their hard work and dedication in putting this
proposal together.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

In the absence of Chair Richard
Nettell, Associate Executive Director Hanselman reported that in the
interest of accruing funds for Con Con, the Legislative/Political
Action Committee agreed not to contribute the maximum amount allotted
political candidates in this second round of endorsements.  The recommended candidates will be posted on the website and may be viewed at http://uhpa.org/members-only/committees/legislative-political-action/uhpa-political-endorsements-for-march-2008/.  Directors passed the motion to approve the list of political endorsements and allowable contributions subject to the membership’s concurrence.  It
should be noted that UHPA members who objected to have $5 from their
statutory dues go toward the Political Action Fund will not have access
or be able to participate in this process.

The House has
approved HB2521 HD2 which provides funding for UH
maintenance and repairs from 2008 to 2014.  It has crossed over to the Senate.  Faculty members will be asked to submit
photos to UHPA of UH campus buildings in dire need of repair that can be shared
with legislators to support passage of this bill.  Photos will also be placed on UHPA’s website
and may be viewed at http://www.uhpa.org/legislature/photos-march-2008/

 

NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

Chair Adrienne Valdez reported on the activities of the Nominations and Elections Committee.

  • Since UHPA needs
    about 300 proxies to meet the quorum requirements in order to take a
    vote on the Amended Articles and Amended By-Laws at the Annual
    Membership meeting on April 25, a plea was made for Directors and
    Faculty Representatives to contact their constituencies to turn those
    proxy forms into UHPA.  Even if members plan to attend the
    Annual Membership meeting, it is recommended that they submit their
    proxy forms, which can be taken back on April 25 if they wish to change
    their vote and attend in person.
  • The biographical
    information and personal statements of candidates running for the 2008
    UHPA Board of Directors’ election have been received and may be viewed
    at http://uhpa.org/members-only/2008-uhpa-board-of-directors-election/.  Only one-third of the UHPA Board of Directors is elected annually.  Active UHPA members in those constituencies have been sent written ballots.  The deadline for Board election ballots to be received at the UHPA office is 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2008.
  • During the week
    of March 17, all active UHPA members will be notified by email that
    nominations will be accepted for UHPA delegates to the 2008 NEA
    Representative Assembly (NEA-RA) meeting.  The NEA-RA is the annual meeting of the primary governance and policy-making body of the National Education Association.  This year, the NEA-RA will be held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC from July 1 through July 6.  Delegates
    who currently serve as a Board of Director, a Faculty Representative,
    or as a committee member are allotted reimbursement of expenditures up
    to $800.  The deadline for nominations to be received at the UHPA office is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
  • Nominations for the election of Faculty Representatives will open shortly.  The entire election process will be conducted electronically.  It is anticipated that we may have 67 Faculty Rep positions up for election.
  • The election of
    officers and at-large Executive Committee members will take place at
    the UHPA Board of Directors’ May 10 monthly meeting.  Since UHPA President Joseph Chernisky is serving a two-year term, there will not be an election for the Office of President.  Current Directors are eligible to vote in this election.
  • Due to the
    resignation of Mari Nakamura, Faculty Representative for Primary
    Academic Unit (PAU) 124, Directors unanimously passed a motion to approve the appointment of Professor Mary Bass-Segura, Windward Community College, as the Faculty Representative for Primary Academic Unit 124 effective immediately.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Hawaii CC Director John Cole recently underwent surgery and is recuperating at home.  Directors requested that their get well wishes be conveyed to Director Cole for a speedy recovery.

 

Attention UHPA Members

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See additional information regarding the two separate mailings which were distributed to all UHPA members in late February.

February 2008 Board Notes

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NEA HIGHER EDUCATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT

On behalf of
NEA Director Sally Pestana, who was attending the NEA Board of
Directors meeting in Washington, Vice President Adrienne Valdez
reported that the NEA Board of Directors were “thrilled” to see their
December lobbying efforts pay off during their February meeting when
the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the
reauthorization of HEA by supporting HR 4137, the College Opportunity
and Affordability Act.  Included in the approval was pressure on colleges to control costs and defeat the so called “Academic Bill Of Rights” language.  A detailed analysis of the bill can be found at: http://www.insidehighered.com/layout/set/print/news/2008/02/08/hea.

In the political arena, NEA decided to withhold a presidential endorsement at this time.  The
NEA President has communicated with the candidates that, “…NEA expects
to see education issues take a higher priority in campaign trail
discussions.”

Vice President Valdez reminded Directors that it was not too late to register for the NEA Higher Education Conference.  At this writing, Joseph Chernisky, Richard Nettell, Sally Pestana, and Adrienne Valdez will be attending the conference.


PRESIDENT’S REPORT

  • President
    Joseph Chernisky complimented the Faculty Forum Agenda Committee for
    their organization of the recent Forum that was held at the Dole
    Cannery Ballroom.  There are currently 30 Faculty Representative vacancies, with the majority at the UH-Manoa campus.
  • The Annual Membership meeting has been changed to Friday, April 25, 2008.  It will be held at 3:30 p.m. in GT-105 at Leeward Community College.  Active
    UHPA members will be receiving the notice of the Annual Membership
    meeting along with important information that will require their
    approval at the meeting.
  • Due
    to the change of the Annual Membership meeting, UHPA’s monthly Board of
    Directors’ meeting, which usually convenes after the annual meeting,
    will now be held on Saturday, April 12, at 8:30 a.m. at the UHPA
    facilities on Palm Drive.  The Executive Committee meeting will be on Friday, April 11.
  • President
    Chernisky expressed his appreciation to UHPA Executive Director J. N.
    Musto for representing the union on the P-20 Council.  One
    goal of the P-20 Council for higher education is that by the year 2025
    at least 55% of working age adults would have either an associate or
    bachelor’s degree.
  • It
    was reported that some of the Faculty Senates (UHH, KCC and LCC) are
    trying to take into account the WASC and ACCJC accreditation
    requirements with respect to their roles and responsibilities as these
    Faculty Senates would like to be included in shared governance and
    decision making.
  • President
    Chernisky informed Directors of recent external and internal
    developments regarding higher education’s need for accountability and
    autonomy.  According to a higher education update by the
    NEA on academic freedom, “A strong academic freedom policy spelled out
    in the university handbook and reinforced by strong language in the
    collective bargaining contract remains the best means of ensuring that
    college or university campuses continue to provide the kind of
    education that allows all students to become fully functioning citizens
    and productive members of society.” The NEA article can be viewed at http://www2.nea.org/he/heupdate/images/vol11no4.pdf.
  • Recent events highlight the theme of accountability within the UH system:  ŒAccreditation—concern over learning objectives and the UH Speech Pathology Program; State—the
    desire to align State needs within the, UH System Strategic Plan, UH
    Community College System Plan, and individual campus plans;     ŽExecutive—the Governor’s plans to have a Hawaii Higher Education Commission; and Legislative—the use of UH financial performance incentives to measure educational progress.
  • With
    regard to faculty autonomy, Attorney Donna Euben’s lecture,
    “Surmounting Legal and Legislative Attacks on the Academy” dated March
    31, 2007 at the AFT Higher Education Conference in Portland, Oregon,
    provides an overall picture of the autonomous dilemma academic
    professionals are being faced with.  To view her report, go to http://www.aft.org/higher_ed/conferences/2007presentations/euben.pdf. 
  • As noted above, there remains confusion over learning objectives and learning outcomes.  Learning outcomes are now being required for accreditation.  Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) should be faculty designed and directed by the respective disciplines.  SLOs should not be used as a punitive measure.  They should be used to assess the success of the course or program.  The department or division as a whole needs to develop three to five SLO.  There should be team collaboration in the development and assessment of the SLO.  It was even suggested that there be some universal training or guidelines regarding SLO.  Because the creation of SLO is new to many, some Directors wondered whether UHPA ought to be involved.  The response was that it should be the Faculty Senates’ role and responsibility.  This
    very issue was raised during the Community Colleges Classification
    Plan, which was passed by the Board of Regents without any other
    objections except those that were presented by UHPA.
  • The University of Hawaii’s operational autonomy (flexibility) does not include substantive autonomy.  A request has been made with the Legislature for repair and maintenance funding and procurement exemptions.
  • President Chernisky reported that UHPA will be sponsoring a TIAA-CREF financial education seminar on March 12 at the University of Hawaii – Manoa campus.  For the schedule and place, go to http://uhpa.org/newsitems/financial-planning-seminars/.
  • UHPA
    successfully participated in the Martin Luther King Day Parade, which
    would be reported by Josh Cooper, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on
    Special Projects.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Executive
    Director J. N. Musto reported that the University administration has
    failed to meet the response deadline for the class action grievance
    filed for violation of Article XXIII, Appointment, Duties, and
    Compensation for Academic Chairs, Section D, which indicates that the
    duties of academic chairs would be in a revised UH System Faculty
    Handbook.  Executive Director Musto will be meeting with Brenna Hashimoto, the Systems Director for the Office of Human Resources.  Directors passed a motion to appeal the class grievance to arbitration should the grievance not be resolved.
  • Executive
    Director Musto reviewed with the Directors a number of issues presently
    being addressed on the various campuses, including community colleges.      §At
    Kapiolani Community College, the Chancellor had proposed a new policy
    that would have required faculty department or division chairs on
    11-month instructional appointments to teach summer session classes
    without additional compensation.  Although this part of
    the policy was rescinded, instructional faculty members on 9-month
    appointments are still limited by the new policy to teaching only 12
    credit hours in the summer session.  However, the 2003-2009 Agreement places no arbitrary limitation on the number of hours an individual can teach in the summer session on any campus.      §When
    the Community College Provosts were “upgraded” by then President Evan
    Dobelle to be Chancellors for each individual campus, new issues
    emerged in the Tenure and Promotion procedures.  Prior to
    these changes, TPRC’s were comprised of faculty that included
    individuals from other campuses but in the same discipline.  Currently,
    the TPRCs are being selected from individuals on the same campus, thus
    creating the situation where individuals that have sat on a DPC that
    reviewed a candidate may also now be part of a TPRC reviewing the same
    candidate.
  • Serious issues have continued to arise over the use of university computers and internet connections for personal purposes.  In
    the past, if the University was informed that an employee or a student
    had illegally downloaded music over the internet, outside music vendors
    would ask that a cease and desist order be given by the institution to
    the individual, and if a university computer had been used, then the
    hard drive would be cleaned.  For the first time, a
    faculty member and a student have been charged with pirating music
    through the UH IT system and a civil action has been brought against
    them.  Faculty who are charged by the recording industry with pirating down music may be sued personally for thousands of dollars.  Although
    the original suit may seek $50,000 in damages, the industry has been
    making offers to college students and others to settle for
    substantially less, but still around 10% of the claim.  Faculty
    need to be aware that this is not an employment-related matter; unless
    the faculty member is disciplined by the UH administration as a result
    of the charges brought by the music vendors; therefore, neither the UH
    nor UHPA will provide a legal defense in these civil lawsuits.
  • Associate
    Executive Director James Kardash reported that he and Michael Mottl,
    Chair of the Grievance Committee, have been discussing how to
    communicate to the faculty members the substance of grievance matters
    being addressed by the union without violating privacy and
    confidentiality rules.  Having this information accessible
    would enable faculty, especially new or junior faculty, become more
    knowledgeable of the substance of the contract and the types of
    violations that have and are occurring.  Not all
    complaints brought to the union by faculty members meet the contract
    definition of a grievance, and some faculty members choose to not file
    a grievance even when a violation of the contract may have occurred.  However,
    faculty members should know that the professional staff may be
    consulted on an informal basis on any issue that is causing problems in
    the employment environment, and much of the advice of the organization
    may fall outside a strict contractual issue.  The UHPA staff may even be asked to attend employer-employee meetings with faculty members, covering a wide variety of topics.  While
    this is still in the planning and discussion stage, once it is
    finalized the information would be available on UHPA’s website.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Ming-Bao Yue reported on the fourth month of the UHPA fiscal year.  Directors
were informed that UHPA is in excellent financial standing, indicating
the expenditures from last month and the balance of the Political
Action Fund.  Directors passed a motion to receive the Treasurer’s report and to refer it to the Finance Committee.

 

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE

Chair Karla Hayashi reported that
the Collective Bargaining Committee met on Saturday, January 19 and
plan to meet again on March 1.  They identified and
reviewed cost and non-cost items brought forward through the series of
surveys that have been conducted and a systematic review of the
language in the 2003-2009 Agreement with staff and legal counsel.  Faculty
Representatives were asked to list priority issues and options,
including the various methods to implement additional salary increases
in the next contract, e.g., across-the-board raises, either through a
percentage increase or a flat rate amount, established higher salary
minimums for each rank and classification, salary schedules, allocated
funds for merit awards, etc.

Executive Director Musto informed
Directors that UHPA has requested to informally discuss the timelines
and issues for the next round of negotiations, but thus far, the
employer has not responded.  UHPA would like to formally begin negotiations during this coming April.  The 2003-2009 Agreement expires
on June 30, 2009, but for salary increases to take effect on July 1,
2009, the Legislature would have to approve a new contract by the close
of the session at the end of April 2009.

 

LEGISLATIVE/POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Legislative/Political Action
Committee Chair Richard Nettell reported that the second slate of
political endorsements will be brought to the Board of Directors’
March 8 meeting.  Two surveys will be sent to UHPA active members.  One
concerns faculty housing and the other will request examples from the
campuses of the “crumbling” facilities to support the effort to get
increased legislative appropriations for maintenance and capital
improvements.

Associate Executive Director
Kristeen Hanselman reported that the Legislative/Political Action
Committee plans to do an intensive assessment of the proposed UH Regent
candidates.  This is the first year a new law takes effect
that establishes an Advisory Panel that has interviewed candidates and
puts them together in a list from which the Governor must select new
Regents.  These candidates are still subject to the consent of the State Senate.  In
that regard, UHPA will provide testimony in support or opposition to
the candidates when they are being considered by the Senate based on
our own review of the qualifications and backgrounds of the individuals.

 

NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

  • Nominations and Elections Committee Chair Adrienne Valdez reported on the eVoting Project.  In
    preparation for using electronic voting, a mock Presidential Primary
    election was conducted on February 5, which we called “sUHPA Tuesday”.  This was a good exercise.  A follow-up survey will be sent to Faculty Representatives to ask them questions about the eVoting process.
  • Directors were
    informed that in August 2007, the Board had approved conducting the
    2008 Board of Directors’ election electronically.  Unfortunately,
    the State Legislature did not take up the issue of changing Hawaii’s
    Not-for-Profit Corporation Law that would allow electronic voting and
    making it then parallel to the for-profit law.  Board elections will be conducted through written ballot that is mailed through the postal service this April.  Standing Rules were developed for the 2008 Board elections and thoroughly reviewed by the Executive Committee.  Directors passed a motion to adopt the Standing Rules Governing the 2008 UHPA Board of Directors’ Election.
  • In addition, the election of Faculty Representatives will be conducted before the end of the semester.  The
    Hawaii Not-for-Profit Corporate Law does not prohibit electronic voting
    for the election of Faculty Representatives since they do not hold any
    decision-making authority over the corporation’s actions.  Continuing under our historic practice, voting will be conducted only if there are contested races.  Those Faculty Representative elections will be conducted electronically.
  • Active UHPA
    members will be mailed materials and ballots concerning the repeal of
    UHPA’s current Constitution, proposed Amended and Restated Articles of  Incorporation (replaces Constitution) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws (replaces/amends current Bylaws).  The
    larger packet of material will include President Chernisky’s letter of
    explanation, a summary of information, the Amended proposals, the
    current Charter of Incorporation, current Constitution and Bylaws, and
    a Proxy ballot and envelope.  To prevent confusion, the ballot with return envelopes to repeal the current Constitution will be mailed under separate cover.  Active
    UHPA members are encouraged to mail in your repeal ballots and proxy
    votes, especially if you are unable to attend the Annual Membership
    meeting that is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008, at
    the Leeward Community College in Room GT-105.
  • Upon passage
    of the above proposed amendments, Kapiolani Community College will be
    provided an additional seat on the UHPA Board of Directors.  The
    Nominations and Elections Committee will conduct an election for that
    Director as soon as possible and likely at the beginning of classes in
    the fall to allow full participation by the campus.
  • Directors were
    informed that the National Education Association (NEA) Annual
    Representative Assembly will be held from July 1 through July 6 at the
    Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  Nominations for delegates to the NEA RA will be open shortly.  UHPA is allotted 21 delegates.
  • Directors unanimously passed a motion to confirm the appointment of Professor Yi-Yeng Chen from the Department of Meteorology, UH-Manoa, as the Faculty Representative for Primary Academic Unit 121 effective immediately.  Dr. Chen will serve a one year term, which ends on May 31, 2009.

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PROJECTS

Chair Josh Cooper reported that more
than a dozen UHPA members, friends, and family marched in the Martin
Luther King Jr. Day Parade.  Several UHPA members marched with other community associations.  Fernando Jones and My Band played at the Kapiolani bandstand.

Chair Cooper reported that Fernando
Jones visited five UH campuses, four public schools, and four local
clubs during his ten days in Hawaii.  He performed concerts at Kapiolani CC, Maui CC, Windward CC, and UH-Manoa.  He also lectured at Kapiolani CC, Leeward CC’s Waianae Branch, and at Maui CC. 

The Special Projects Committee hopes
to participate in Human Rights Day on March 14 at the State Capitol,
bring students to the Legislature, participate in Earth Day, provide
courtyard furniture and umbrellas for some campuses, and research
sustainable material such as beverage mugs or cups.

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair Duane Stevens reported that the Finance Committee has received the financial reports from the UHPA Treasurer.  The
Finance Committee plans to review UHPA’s capital spending plan with
regard to the modifications to the Akala Building and the connecting
bridge work.  The Committee will also review the auditor’s report once it is completed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made and seconded to
provide $500 to an organization that is coordinating an event in March
to commemorate the 60 years of the Palestine people’s dispossession
from their lands.  The request came to Director Nandita Sharma (UH-Manoa Ethnic Studies) from a graduate student.  However,
there was no written request outlining the use of the funds, the
specific events that it would support, or a full description of the
organization asking for UHPA’s sponsorship.  After lengthy discussion, the Directors moved to table the motion.

 

###

Results of sUHPA Tuesday are in!

/in

UHPA members (only) can view the results of the Mock Presidential Primary here.

EVoting Is Coming To UHPA!

/in

UHPA’s electronic voting system will be ready for use in the 2008 UHPA elections for Board of Directors and Faculty Representatives.

On February 1 UHPA members at Kapiolani CC, Honolulu CC, Windward CC/ETC and UH-Manoa campuses will receive an email with information on the UHPA BOD elections with nomination instructions for members desiring to run for office. Nine positions are open on the Board of Directors with voting in March 2008.

February 5th is “sUHPA Tuesday” where all UHPA members can be part of the final test of the electronic voting system. Look for an email on February 5 that will link you to the electronic ballot.

January 2008 Board Notes

/in

 

 

PROPOSED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION & BY-LAWS

Following the Board of Directors review and discussion of the proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
of UHPA with Attorney Jeffrey Piper of Schlack Ito Lockwood Piper &
Elkin, Directors considered the following resolution from the Executive
Committee.  Pursuant to the current Constitution and By-Laws,
“the text of the proposed amendments will be printed in an official
UHPA publication and sent to all members at least sixty (60) days prior
to its consideration.”  UHPA members will be asked to
approve these changes at the April Annual Membership meeting, which is
scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2008.  The current Constitution
states that, “The proposed amendment(s) will be submitted to a secret
ballot vote of all the active membership, and will be ratified by a
two-thirds (2/3) majority of the ballots cast.  Unless otherwise provided, all amendments shall take effect at the beginning of the fiscal year following their adoption.”

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY


Re:  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

and Amended and Restated Bylaws; Repeal of Constitution

Approved January 12, 2008

          WHEREAS,
this Board of Directors of the University of Hawaii Professional
Assembly (“UHPA”) has reviewed the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation (“Amended Articles”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws
(“Amended Bylaws”) of UHPA as presented to this meeting and attached as
Annexes 1 and 2 respectively, and wishes to approve the same and submit
them to the members of UHPA for their approval and the repeal of the
Constitution of UHPA;

           WHEREAS,
this Board of Directors wishes to recommend the approval of the
proposed Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws and directs the same be
submitted to the membership for approval at the 2008 Annual Meeting of
the members to be held April 11, 2008 along with the proposal to
concurrently repeal the Constitution of UHPA, with such action to be
taken at such meeting after the announcement of the election of new
directors;

           WHEREAS,
to facilitate the approval of the Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws
and concurrent repeal of the Constitution by the members of UHPA, the
Board hereby approves the submittal to the membership of the
Resolutions of Members in substantially the form attached hereto as
Annex 3, which among other things, provide that the new director
position contemplated by the Amended Bylaws, to be filled by Active
Members at Kapi`olani Community College, will be filled by a special
election of such members as soon as practicable; and

           WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors wishes to direct management to provide notice to
the members of these proposals and seek their approval of the same as
required by the Constitution and Bylaws of UHPA and Hawaii law and take
any and all other actions necessary and appropriate, including the
solicitation of specific proxies or written ballots, as the case may
be, in favor of the proposals;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

          1.         The
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation attached as Annex 1, and
the Amended and Restated Bylaws attached as Annex 2, are each hereby
approved as the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of UHPA, subject
to the approval of the same by the members and the concurrent repeal of
the Constitution of UHPA by the members.

          2.         This
Board of Directors hereby recommends to the membership the approval of
the proposed Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws attached hereto as
Annexes 1 and 2 respectively, and related repeal of the Constitution
and hereby directs such approval be sought at the 2008 Annual Meeting
of the Members to be held April 11, 2008 or any adjournment thereof.

          3.         To
facilitate the approval of the Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws and
concurrent repeal of the Constitution of UHPA, the Resolutions of
Members in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex 3, are
hereby approved, with such further changes as of the officers of UHPA
may deem necessary and appropriate, and the same shall be submitted to
the members for their approval at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the
Members to be held April 11, 2008 or any adjournment thereof.

          4.         The
Board of Directors hereby directs the Executive Director and other
officers of UHPA to (i) provide notice of the proposals contained
herein to the members and seek their approval of the same in such
manner as may be as required by the Constitution and Bylaws of UHPA and
Hawaii law, and in that regard, hereby authorize said individuals on
behalf of UHPA to solicit specific proxies or written ballots, as the
case may be, in favor of the proposals, and (ii) take any and all other
actions necessary and appropriate in furtherance of these resolutions.

Directors also adopted the following resolution on January 12,
2008 that would be presented to the membership at the Annual Membership
meeting in April 2008.

 

RESOLUTIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY


Re:  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation

and Amended and Restated Bylaws

For Approval on April 11, 2008

           WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of the University of Hawaii Professional
Assembly (“UHPA”) has approved the adoption of Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation (“Amended Articles”) and Amended and Restated
Bylaws (“Amended Bylaws”) of UHPA as presented to this meeting and
attached as Annexes 1 and 2 respectively and has recommended to the
members the approval of the Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws and the
repeal of the Constitution of UHPA by the members of UHPA;

           WHEREAS,
the members wish to adopt the Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws
attached hereto as Annexes 1 and 2 respectively as the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the UHPA and concurrently repeal the
Constitution of UHPA, each effective immediately; and

            WHEREAS,
the members also wish to clarify that the adoption of the Amended
Articles and Amended Bylaws will not affect the rights of Active
Members of those constituency groups described in the current Bylaws
and Constitution to remove any directors, or fill any vacancies created
thereby elected prior to the adoption of the Amended Bylaws; and

           WHEREAS,
the Amended Bylaws contemplate an additional director to be elected by
the Active Members of Kapi`olani Community College and seated in the
class described as “Year A” as described in Section 3.2b of the Amended
Bylaws and the members desire such position be filled prior to the 2009
Annual Membership Meeting by a special election of the Active Members
of Kapi`olani Community College to be held as soon as practicable;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

          1.         The
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation attached as Annex 1 are
hereby adopted and approved as the Articles of Incorporation of UHPA
effective immediately, and the proper officers of UHPA are hereby
authorized and directed to file any and all necessary documents to
effectuate the same with the State of Hawai`i Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs.

             2.         The
Amended and Restated Bylaws attached as Annex 2 and presented to the
meeting are hereby adopted as the Bylaws of UHPA effective immediately.

              3.         The Constitution of UHPA is hereby repealed.

             4.         Notwithstanding
the effectiveness of the Amended Bylaws and the repeal of the
Constitution of UHPA, any director elected prior to the adoption of the
Amended Bylaws may only be removed, or his/her vacancy created thereby
filled, by the Active Members of the particular constituency who
elected such director under the prior Bylaws and Constitution.

           5.         The
Board and officers of UHPA are hereby authorized and directed to
conduct, as soon as practicable, an election of the Active Members of
Kapi`olani Community College to fill the director vacancy created by
the adoption of the Amended Bylaws for the director to be seated in the
class described as “Year A” in Section 3.2b of the Amended Bylaws as
soon as possible, pursuant to the nominations and mail elections
procedures contained in the Amended Bylaws.  The director
so elected will serve as if they were elected at the 2009 Annual
Membership Meeting and will be seated as a “Year A” director and serve
until the 2012 Annual Meeting or until his/her successor is elected;
provided further, for purposes of application of the limitations on
term of office in the Amended Bylaws, such term shall be considered a
single three-year term.

             6.         The
adoption of the Amended Articles and Amended Bylaws will not affect the
incumbency of any director or officer of UHPA, and any and all service
of such individuals shall be considered in application of the
limitations on term of office contained in the Amended Bylaws.

             7.         The
Directors and Officers of UHPA are each authorized and directed to take
any and all further action necessary and appropriate in furtherance of
these resolutions.

Attorney Piper will be the luncheon speaker at the Faculty Forum scheduled for February 9 at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms.  A
summary, prepared by Mr. Piper, of the proposed changes will be
distributed to the Faculty Representatives and the membership-at-large.  Faculty Representatives will have an opportunity at that time to raise any questions or concerns.

NEA HIGHER EDUCATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT

NEA
Director Sally Pestana reported that the Senate has passed the Higher
Education Amendments of 2007 (S. 1642) to reauthorize the Higher
Education Act.  While there are several very positive
provisions, the NEA is opposed to the inclusion in the Senate bill of
the so called “academic bill of rights” (ABOR).  ABOR
promoted by now political conservative David Horowitz seeks to direct
faculty speech in the classroom by requiring a “balanced political
view.”  Led by a group called the Students for Academic
Freedom, the amendments would be to counter the “left leaning”
tendencies of public higher education faculty members.

The House
Education Committee has also approved a reauthorization bill. The
College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) includes numerous
positive provisions, including those that would help ensure equal
college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with
disabilities, expand college access for low-income and minority
students, streamline the federal student financial aid application, and
provide supports to help students transition seamlessly from community
colleges to four-year programs. The Committee resoundingly defeated the
NEA-opposed amendment that sought to add to the bill the ABOR.  The
full House will likely take up the bill early next year, with a goal of
passage of a reauthorization package before March 31, 2008.

The entire NEA Board of Directors lobbied against ABOR on Capitol Hill in early December.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The President’s Report gave an update on
UHPA’s membership, support staff duties, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO
meeting as well as the following:

  • UHPA President
    Chernisky along with UH-Manoa Directors Ruth Horie, Richard Nettell,
    Amarjit Singh, Duane Stevens, Jim Tiles, and Ming-Bao Yue and UHPA
    staff Kris Hanselman and Rovena Varde attended the UH-Manoa new faculty
    orientation. There were about 32 new faculty members. 
  • The
    UH Faculty Senates and UHPA have agreed to look at the agreement
    between the union and the senates, sometime referred to as the “white
    paper.” 
  • Directors were informed that the UH Strategic Plan needs to be reviewed, especially for possible omissions.  The Strategic Plan can be viewed at http://www.hawaii.edu/ovppp/uhplan/.  The UH budget, that indicates the expenditures for UH campuses, can be viewed at http://www.hawaii.edu/budget/.  Although the salaries of Executive and Managerial employees have been posted on UHPA’s website, it can also be found at http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eaur/govrel/reports/2008/index.html.  Anyone interested in the Legislative Auditor’s second report, they can view it at http://www.state.hi.us/auditor/SearchReports.html. 
  • Faculty interested in financial planning can view the University’s Human Resources site at http://www.pers.hawaii.edu/tda/tda-index.asp and for information regarding TIAA-CREF, they can go to http://www.tiaa-cref.org/. 
  •  With
    regard to the 2010 Constitutional Convention, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO
    has indicated all unions need to educate their membership on the
    importance of such a Convention and the need for direct union
    involvement as elected delegates if a Convention is called.  Information about the ConCon can be viewed at http://www.lwv-hawaii.com/reports.htm#concon.  At
    this time, the state AFL-CIO has taken no formal position in support or
    opposition to ballot measures that would call a Constitutional
    Convention. 
  • UHPA
    will be leading a campaign advocating greater support for public higher
    education with the leadership of the Legislature and the Governor’s
    Office.  Conversations with Senator Norman Sakamoto, Chair
    of the Senate Committee on Education and Military Affairs, have taken
    place over a proposed special increase in the General Excise Tax to be
    earmarked for repair and maintenance of UH and DOE facilities.  President
    Chernisky has asked UHPA Executive Director J. N. Musto to speak with
    the Governor to see if an executive order creating a 15-member
    commission to consider what can be done to resolve the many problems
    facing the UH, including faculty housing, conditions of classrooms and
    laboratories, and the retention and recruitment of faculty. 
  • President
    Chernisky reported that sometime this spring, the Board of Directors
    meeting will have a brief business meeting and Directors will spend the
    remainder of the scheduled meeting informally discussing academic
    issues, shared governance, and the future of the University of Hawai‘i
    System.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Executive Director
    Musto reported that a class grievance has been filed on behalf of all
    academic chairs in the University system for violation of Article
    XXIII-D.  The Agreement states that the duties of academic
    chairs would be included in a revised UH system faculty handbook but
    that has not been done.  Instead, Vice President L.
    Johnsrud, on behalf of the System Administration, proposed to the Board
    of Regents a change to BOR Policy 9-1a(3) regarding academic chairs
    Executive
    Director Musto and former UHPA President Mary Tiles along with
    representatives from the UH-Manoa Faculty Senate and the UH-Manoa
    Council of Department Chairs testified in opposition to the proposed
    BOR policy change at the January meeting.  The Board of Regents deferred action on the item until the February meeting.  UHPA
    will continue to work with faculty members on all campuses in
    constructing a meaningful description of the duties and expectations of
    department and division chairs.  Regent Byron Bender,
    former UHPA President and retired Professor of Linguistics, spoke
    vigorously on the proposed changes regarding tenure upon initial
    appointment and the guidelines for academic chairs. 
  • Pursuant to action taken by the Board of Directors at their last meeting,  UHPA
    Executive Director Musto testified against changes to BOR Policy
    Chapter 9-1, Personnel Status, Subsection b, Faculty Promotion and
    Tenure, that would authorize the UH President to grant tenure upon
    initial appointment to faculty members and classified executives who
    previously held tenure at a comparable institution.  Despite
    concerns expressed by Regent Lagareta and Regent Bender that executive
    administrators should not be given job security through the immediate
    granting of tenure, the Regents voted to approve the proposal. 
  • Directors
    Roy Fujimoto of Windward CC and John Cole of Hawaii CC were given
    copies of proposed reorganizations to their respective campuses that
    had not been distributed to the faculty-at-large. UHPA will formally consult with the UH administration over these proposed changes. 
  • Under the new provisions by voters for the selection of Regents, a complete new Board will be appointed on July 1, 2008.  The
    terms of Regents who should have expired on June 30, 2007 but have been
    extended are Byron Bender, Michael Dahilig, Marlene Hapai, Kitty
    Lagareta, and Jane Tatibouet, when the new Regent selection committee
    was established. Regent Ramon de la Pena’s term expires June 30, 2008. Of these Regents, Marlene Hapai and Ramon de la Pena have indicated their desire to be reappointed. 
  • Associate
    Executive Director Kristeen Hanselman explained to Directors the need
    to have personal email and home addresses of our membership, especially
    as we prepare for negotiating the next faculty contract.  UHPA must be able to convey vital information to our members, including subjects that may be political in nature.  The
    use of the “hawaii.edu” email should only be used for University
    (work)-related matters, which would include inquiries concerning the
    contract and other aspects of employment.  Individuals
    and/or organizations using the university email system for personal,
    political, or other communication are in violation of the Ethics Law
    and can be fined.  Therefore, in order to effectively
    communicate with our membership, a Membership Communications Project
    will begin to obtain the home addresses and email unrelated to the UH
    from faculty.  Under separate cover, UHPA members will be
    informed about the project, how to submit the information, changing UH
    email to personal or obtaining an uhpa.org email, etc.  For additional information, contact Associate Executive Director Hanselman at kris@uhpa.org. 

Directors expressed their support of the project, submitting their home and email addresses.  Faculty Representatives will be informed about the project when they meet on February 9.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Ming-Bao Yue reported on the third month of the UHPA fiscal year.  Directors
were informed that the transfer of funds within the budget category
they had approved last month will be reflected in the December
statement.  Directors passed a motion to receive the Treasurer’s report and to refer it to the Finance Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1.  Hawaii Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner & Silent Auction

Directors were informed that the Executive Committee approved
the purchase of a Plumeria ($1,200) table for the Hawaii Republican
Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner and Silent Auction that is scheduled for
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel,
Coral Ballroom.  Payment will be made from the Political Action Fund.

2.  EBallot Pilot Project

It was reported earlier that UHPA
had received a $10,000 grant from the National Education Association to
be used for a pilot program to conduct elections electronically.  UHPA’s
web consultant, Peter Kay, researched the various programs that would
best facilitate our needs and is recommending Votenet Solutions, Inc.  Directors
were informed that the Executive Committee has approved the eBallot
License and Service Agreement with Votenet Solutions, Inc. that would
allow UHPA to conduct unlimited elections for a year at $3,495.  Since funding will come from the NEA grant, Directors were not required to approve the cost.

Chair Adrienne Valdez reported that the Nominations and Elections Committee has met with Peter Kay regarding the project.  There have been a few trial runs of pseudo-elections with small groups to ensure that this works well.  It was suggested that UHPA conduct its own trial Primary Election.

3.  Akala Building

Directors passed a motion to
confirm the Executive Committee’s recommendation to approve the
projected building permit fee of $6,398 for the construction of the
Akala building renovations.  Directors were informed
that this permit covers the maximum work being proposed; however, it
does not mean that UHPA needs to do all that is being proposed in the
expanded or future work by AES Design Group, Inc.  Executive
Director Musto will check on the timeframe for the building permit and
whether the work has to be done within that period.

4.  Hawaii Blues Festival

Chair Josh Cooper of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Special Projects had contacted the Executive Committee
last month regarding co-sponsorship of having Fernando Jones, an
educator and entertainer, and My Band from Chicago who would be
performing in Hawaii.  Since more information was required, action was deferred.  The Executive Committee informed Directors that
$2,000 has been approved to provide airfare from Chicago to Hawaii
($1,800), local airfare ($100), and a banner ($100) for Fernando Jones
and band members Chip Ratliff and Roy Boyd.  United
Nations Association-USA Hawaii, Amnesty International Manoa Student
Chapter and the Kamalii Elementary School PTSA are just some of the
community organizations and student clubs co-sponsoring the concerts in
Hawaii.  The Hawaii Blues Festival is scheduled for January 17 to 26.    Daytime
campus performances are free to UHPA members, and evening concerts at
clubs are free to UHPA members, who will need to show their union
member card.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE

Chair Karla Hayashi reported that the Collective Bargaining Committee meets on Saturday, January 19.  Committee members were asked to submit suggested language for various issues in the contract.

LEGISLATIVE/POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Legislative/Political Action
Committee Chair Richard Nettell reported that 80% of the UHPA
membership responded to the recommended early political endorsements.  Directors
were informed that Senate Majority Leader, Gary Hooser, will be at
UH-Manoa Campus Center 310 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15.  He will give a 20-minute presentation entitled, “Public Efficacy 101,” which will be followed by an open discussion.

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PROJECTS

Chair Josh Cooper reported that the
Fernando Jones and My Band will not only be performing concerts, but
they have agreed to perform at the Band Stand at Kapiolani Park
following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.  The
first 15 members who check in (look for UHPA banner) to march with UHPA
in the parade will receive either hats or tee shirts.  UHPA will be marching with the Hawaii AFL-CIO members.  According
to AFL-CIO President Randy Perreira, folks can park at Kapiolani Park
and take their bus shuttle to Ala Moana Park at Magic Island.  Organizations will form at 7:30 a.m.  The
parade will go through Waikiki and end at Kapiolani Park where a Unity
Celebration will be held with food and community booths.

The Special Projects Committee is still researching sustainable items such as water bottles, umbrellas, etc.  Chair Cooper also reported that Representative Lyla Berg will again spearhead the Human Rights Day on March 14.  The theme this year is “Human Rights: Quality of Life.”  Organizations will have their displays on the third floor of the State Capitol.  UHPA has been recognized in her newsletter.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Directors were
    reminded that the National Education Association (NEA) Higher Education
    Conference will be held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC from
    March 28-30, 2008.  UHPA Vice President Adrienne Valdez
    informed Directors that if they are planning to go now is the time to
    register online and early registration provides a lower fee.  It will be a joint conference with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).  Additional information and online registration may be found at http://www2.nea.org/he/conf.html. 
  • The NEA Representative Assembly will also be held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC from July 1-6, 2008.  In order to have a vote, a person needs to be a delegate.  If
    anyone is interested in attending, they should nominate themselves as a
    delegate and can change their minds if they choose not to go later.  Once nominations are closed, a person cannot be a delegate.  Information about the NEA RA can be viewed at http://www.nea.org/annualmeeting/index.html. 
  • Director
    Ruth Horie informed Directors that although the Hawaii Teamsters are no
    longer picketing in front of Times Supermarkets, the Hawaii Teamsters
    Union has called for a public boycott of all Times Supermarkets.  The mainland employer is planning to hire back only 20% of the employees.  Times
    used to be locally owned by the Teruya family, who founded Times in
    1949 and after 53 years, sold the business to a California company in
    2002.  It seems as though the pattern of treatment is similar to the Pacific Beach Hotel workers.  UHPA members are being asked to show their support for the Hawaii Teamster members.

 

Hawaii Blues Festival

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The Hawaii Blues Festival — Hot as Kilauea Lava & Cool as Mauna Kea Snow Summit – brings
Fernando Jones and My Band from Chicago to share the meaning and message of
Blues music in Hawaii. Jones comes to Hawaii on his Roots, Rhythm & Rights
tour honoring the values and vision of Martin Luther King Jr.

Fernando Jones, an educator and entertainer, will share
the story of the blues from slavery to economic-social conditions facing
America today with a focus on making positive change in our community and the
power of nonviolence and freedom.  Jones, the founder of Blues Kids of America,
will speak to our keiki providing an educational experience about the music
woven into the fabric of America.  Jones will speak to elementary school
children at Kamalii Elementary, Kaahumanu Elementary and Maui Headstart.  Jones
will also speak at Seabury Hall.  Jones
coordinates Blues Kids of America: Blues You Can Use in Your Schools program. 
He will bring this program to our keiki on Maui and Oahu.  The first talk is at
Seabury Hall School at 1:25 p.m. on 22 January.  The second and third talk with
keiki is at Kamali’i Elementary School at 9:00 a.m. on 23 January and MCC Headstart at 11:00 a.m. on 23
January. The fourth talk will be at Queen Ka’ahumanu Elementary at 9:30 a.m. on
25 January.

Fernando Jones will speak to courses and play free
concerts for students and faculty at various University of Hawaii campuses
during the ten day Roots, Rhythm & Rights tour. Fernando Jones is not only
a musician but also a fellow educator at Columbia College in Chicago.  He
teaches a course on The Chicago Blues Scene: Past to Preservation and serves as
the Blues Ensemble Director. Jones will first speak at Kapiolani Community
College on 17 January at 9:15 in Music 107 course with Professor Lina Doo. 
Jones will play a concert at University of Hawaii at Manoa at noon on 18 January. 
Jones will also speak at Leeward Community College Waianae branch on 18 January
at 7 p.m.  in Political Science 110
course.  Jones will participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. concert at
Kapiolani Bandstand following the annual march in Honolulu on 21 January.

Jones will speak and play at Maui Community College on 22
and 23 January.  Jones will play an evening concert at Maui Community College on 22 January and a noon concert at Pa’ina on
23 January.  Jones will play a concert at Windward Community College on 24
January.  The grand finale of the campus tour of Hawaii Blues Festival is
University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Center stairs at noon on 25 January.

Fernando Jones will also play concerts at the hottest
nightclubs on Oahu and Maui. The premiere concert will be at Anna Banana’s in
Moiliili on 19 January from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.  
Jones will play at Mulligans on the Blue on Maui on 21 January from 9
p.m. – midnight.  Jones will also play Ward Rafters in Kaimuki on 26 January
from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Bar 35 in downtown Honolulu on 26 January from 9 p.m.
– midnight to conclude the Hawaii Blues Festival.  UHPA members will be able to
attend the evening concerts at the lounges and nightclubs for free with their
UHPA/NEA cards.  There will be a nominal charge ranging from $5 – $15 for other
shows.  The proceeds will also benefit human rights education programs in
Hawaii.

The co-sponsors are Pacific Asian Affairs Council (PAAC),
United Nations Association – USA Hawaii, Amnesty International USA and Hawaii
Institute for Human Rights.

For more information please contact Joshua Cooper at 542–7204 or Fernando Jones at 773 841 5262.

2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade & Celebration

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The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) will be participating with the Hawaii State AFL-CIO in this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade.  It will begin at Magic Island with the formation of organizations at 7:30 a.m.  The parade will travel through Waikiki and end at Kapiolani Park where a Unity Celebration will be held with food and community booths.

Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser Speaks at UH-Manoa

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PUBLIC EFFICACY 101


Tuesday, January 15, 2008

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Campus Center 310