The Committee on Ways and Means
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
9:35 am, Room 211

Attention: Chair Jill Tokuda, Vice Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and
Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) urge the Committee to support HB 424, HD1, SD1, Part I that reinstates the authority and responsibility for all procurement contracts under chapter 103D, Hawaii revised Statutes, to the University President.

The ability of the University to expedite construction needs for repair and maintenance as well as new construction is essential to enhancing instruction and research as well influencing recruitment and retention. The University President should have both the authority and the accountability for procurement.

Part II, Section 5 & 6  speaks to the importance of faculty having direct and viable input into the University.  Our concern relates to the continuing belief that employees must have special policies directed at their participation on the Board of Regents.  Potential Board of Regents are vetted and confirmed by the Senate.  This new language when coupled with current Board of Regent Policies would not achieve the desired results.

UHPA urges the committee to support HB 424, HD1, SD1 Part I while deleting Section 5 (1) & 6 (1) underlined language and (2).

Respectfully Submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman
Executive Director