HB 443: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the university of Hawaii at Hilo was one of only two university of Hawaii campuses that experienced a declining enrollment rate in the fall 2023 semester, marking the third consecutive year of declining fall enrollment.  University of Hawaii at Hilo officials have cited the school's limited brand exposure outside of Hawaii, difficultly retaining students from the mainland, and an increase in online educational opportunities as factors contributing to the school's enrollment issues.  Despite these challenges, the university of Hawaii's requests for funding for positions and initiatives directly related to addressing student enrollment and retention have not been included in the governor's executive budget.  The legislature further finds that these positions and initiatives are vital to ensuring that the school has the necessary staff and resources to retain students and bolster enrollment.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the university of Hawaii at Hilo.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the university of Hawaii at Hilo; provided that the sums appropriated shall be expended as follows:

     (1)  $           for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $           for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a retention coordinator;

     (2)  $           for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $           for fiscal year 2026-2027 for an internship coordinator; and

     (3)  $           for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $           for fiscal year 2026-2027 for student enrollment management initiatives.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii at Hilo; Retention Coordinator; Internship Coordinator; Enrollment Management; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to thE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the university of Hawaii at Hilo was one of only two university of Hawaii campuses that experienced a declining enrollment rate in the fall 2023 semester, marking the third consecutive year of declining fall enrollment.  University of Hawaii at Hilo officials have cited the school's limited brand exposure outside of Hawaii, difficultly retaining students from the mainland, and an increase in online educational opportunities as factors contributing to the school's enrollment issues.  Despite these challenges, the university of Hawaii's requests for funding for positions and initiatives directly related to addressing student enrollment and retention have not been included in the governor's executive budget.  The legislature further finds that these positions and initiatives are vital to ensuring that the school has the necessary staff and resources to retain students and bolster enrollment.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the university of Hawaii at Hilo.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $507,500 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $790,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the university of Hawaii at Hilo; provided that the sums appropriated shall be expended as follows:

     (1)  $37,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a retention coordinator;

     (2)  $37,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for an internship coordinator; and

     (3)  $432,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $640,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for student enrollment management initiatives.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii at Hilo; Retention Coordinator; Internship Coordinator; Enrollment Management; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  309

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 443

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 443 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce.

     Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii at Hilo is experiencing a declining enrollment rate.  University of Hawaii at Hilo officials have cited the school's limited brand exposure outside of Hawaii, difficultly retaining students from the mainland, and an increase in online educational opportunities as factors contributing to the school's enrollment issues.  Your Committee further finds that funding for positions and initiatives directly related to addressing student enrollment are vital to ensuring that the school has the necessary staff and resources to retain students and increase enrollment.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider appropriating $507,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $790,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as follows:

     (1)  $37,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a retention coordinator;

     (2)  $37,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $75,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for an internship coordinator; and

     (3)  $432,500 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $640,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for student enrollment management initiatives.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 443, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 443, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,