Academic (Archives)

How We Navigate Our Future at UH

The Power of Collaboration: The Key to Navigating the University of Hawai‘i’s FutureBy Christian Fern, Karla Hayashi and David Duffy The pandemic, even with all of its devastating effects, has brought out the best in some organizations and its employees. Pivoting has become the watch word throughout the pandemic. We have seen a number of organizations successfully adapt to new constraints. Organizations that are flexible and innovative have welcomed change instead of wallowing in despair. Many of these entities have rapidly evolved [...]

2021-02-09T09:03:39-10:00February 8, 2021|Academic, Commentary, Frontpage, Monday Report, Opinion|

It Takes a Village to Provide Academic Excellence In and Outside the Classroom

Creating an environment of academic excellence in which students thrive and flourish, realize their fullest potential, and discover new opportunities for growth does not happen by accident. It takes a village of committed faculty to develop a supportive culture of learning, both in and outside of the classroom.Yet, we are aware non-instructional faculty are being attacked and may be regarded as administrative, professional and technical staff. This nothing new. We’ve been there before.That’s why your faculty collective bargaining agreement, negotiated by UHPA’s [...]

2021-02-07T14:24:47-10:00February 8, 2021|Academic, Commentary, Frontpage, Monday Report|

Agreement reached over Covid-19 impacts on promotion, tenure and renewal.

Agreement reached with President and Governor over Covid-19 impacts on promotion, tenure and contract renewal  Last week the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with President David Lassner and Governor David Ige on addressing the possible negative consequences and impacts the unanticipated switch to on-line instruction due to COVID-19 may have on tenure, promotion, and contract renewal.   Agreement result of combined efforts These concerns were raised by UHPA Faculty Members who are serving on Temporary Work [...]

Tenure and Promotions: UHPA’s Supporting Role

Congratulations to all University of Hawai‘i faculty who have recently been tenured or have been promoted! UHPA recognizes your hard work and diligence. Your commitment to academic excellence is admirable and you deserve to celebrate this important milestone in your professional career. It’s Based on Your Contract The success of these faculty is based on the foundation established by UHPA in the UHPA-BOR Agreement. It’s important to point out that this is not a state statute. Unlike many other states, tenure is [...]

2020-07-01T18:03:43-10:00July 6, 2020|Academic, Contract negotiations, Frontpage, Newsletter|

Unprecedented Actions to Reduce Teaching Equivalencies (TE) at Kapiolani CC

UHPA was notified by Chancellor Pagotto of a significant cut in Teaching Equivalencies (TE) for Spring 2020 due to fiscal problems at Kapiolani CC. These reductions affect a large number of faculty members and is without precedence. TE’s constitute work responsibilities that are part of your compensation and conditions of work. These reductions may impact delivery of instruction and support for students along with diminished employment for some employees. The impact of these measures is not fully known. UHPA was not consulted [...]

2019-09-26T16:56:25-10:00September 26, 2019|Academic, Campus Specific, Frontpage, Kapiolani CC, Newsletter|

Faculty Rights to Privacy Violated

UHPA is actively pursuing measures to protect faculty members from Legislator information requests that breach the privacy of personnel files. Numerous information requests have been received from Senator Kim that target individual faculty members in a manner that UHPA contends surpasses what is allowed by the collective bargaining agreement and Chapter 92F of The Uniform Practices Act. UHPA has a pending grievance and is in discussions with the University on establishing standards for release of information which protects the privacy of faculty [...]

2019-08-30T10:17:09-10:00August 29, 2019|Academic, Frontpage, Newsletter|

UHPA Safeguards Your Intellectual Property: New Rights for Faculty Members

UHPA knows that as a faculty member you have made significant investments to develop and expand your knowledge in your specific field of study. The original materials you create for your classes and other purposes are the result of years of research. You have no doubt become a subject matter expert and your work deserves to be protected from misuse or copyright infringement. You can be reassured that you are protected from having your works misused. After two years of tough negotiations [...]

2019-08-29T13:14:42-10:00August 29, 2019|Academic, Frontpage, Newsletter|

UHPA Stops Residency Requirements for Lecturers! Being a UHPA Member has Advantages!

In June community college lecturers started receiving notices that because they did not reside in Hawaii they could no longer be hired to work for the community colleges. This action was taken unilaterally without regard to contractual rights of lecturers and the harm that could occur to instructional programs for Fall 2019. At risk were rights to long term rolling contracts, rights of assignments of 6 credits per semester, annual contracts, and health insurance benefits. UHPA successfully prevailed in stopping the Community [...]

2019-08-29T13:16:42-10:00August 29, 2019|Academic, Frontpage, Newsletter|

UHPA Prevails in Obtaining Revised Contract Renewal Letters for Probationary Faculty

UHPA filed a class grievance regarding the failure to properly inform probationary faculty of the contract renewal recommendations by the DPC and Department/Division chair by December 20, 2018 as provided by the collective bargaining agreement. This information can be critical to any faculty member who may be subject to non-renewal or has performance deficits that may raise concerns with a Dean or Vice Chancellor. The December date enables a probationary faculty member to determine what options may guide their future employment and [...]

Tenure and promotion datasets updated for 2018

UHPA Members can access tenure and promotion data that includes 2016-2018 academic years.  Members can access both graphs and the tables producing those graphs published within a Google sheet. UHPA Executive Director Kristeen Hanselman said, "Each year UHPA gathers information on faculty success in obtaining tenure, increased compensation with promotion, and completion of probationary periods thru contract renewal. These indicate that UH continues to replenish some tenured faculty positions and faculty members are successful in their career path. " This content is [...]

2018-12-07T11:18:30-10:00December 7, 2018|Academic, Frontpage, Membership Benefits, Newsletter|
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