SR 155: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii serves as the State's foremost provider of public higher education and workforce development; and

     WHEREAS, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii is responsible for overseeing system-wide policies, programs, and initiatives that shape the institution's academic quality, career pathways, workforce pipelines, and performance metrics; and

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has established performance metrics for its academic programs, and regular assessment of the metrics is necessary to enhance transparency and accountability; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of workforce pipeline development from pre-school through post‑secondary education, specifically the role of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education in building seamless pathways for students; and

     WHEREAS, it is vital to evaluate the University of Hawaii's plan to develop career pathways to ensure alignment with the State's industry needs and to facilitate students' transition to gainful employment; and

     WHEREAS, a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii would provide valuable insights to the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of programs and initiatives under its scope, enabling evidence-based improvements and strategic decision-making; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Auditor is requested to perform a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, with a focus on:

     (1)  The work of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, specifically Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, in creating workforce pipelines from pre‑school through post-secondary education;

     (2)  System-wide career pathway planning, including alignment between academic programs and industries and jobs that the State's economy demands; and

     (3)  Coordination and articulation agreements between four‑year universities and community colleges that ensure clear pathways for student transfer and credit recognition; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to include in the audit:

     (1)  Data collection and analysis on the adequacy of resources allocated to the programs and initiatives, including staffing, infrastructure, and funding;

     (2)  Recommendations for improvements or changes to existing policies, structures, or programs or initiatives to enhance efficiency and outcomes; and

     (3)  A timeline for implementation of recommended improvements or changes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of any findings and recommendations, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Auditor, Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, and Director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education.

Report Title: 

University of Hawaii; Office of Vice President for Academic Strategy; Hawaii P-20; Audit

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii serves as the State's foremost provider of public higher education and workforce development; and

     WHEREAS, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii is responsible for overseeing system-wide policies, programs, and initiatives that shape the institution's academic quality, career pathways, workforce pipelines, and performance metrics; and

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii has established performance metrics for its academic programs, and regular assessment of the metrics is necessary to enhance transparency and accountability; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of workforce pipeline development from pre-school through post‑secondary education, specifically the role of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education in building seamless pathways for students; and

     WHEREAS, it is vital to evaluate the University of Hawaii's plan to develop career pathways to ensure alignment with the State's industry needs and to facilitate students' transition to gainful employment; and

     WHEREAS, a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii would provide valuable insights to the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of programs and initiatives under its scope, enabling evidence-based improvements and strategic decision-making; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Auditor is requested to perform a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, with a focus on:

     (1)  The work of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, specifically Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, in creating workforce pipelines from pre‑school through post-secondary education;

     (2)  System-wide career pathway planning, including alignment between academic programs and industries and jobs that the State's economy demands;

     (3)  Coordination and articulation agreements between four‑year universities and community colleges that ensure clear pathways for student transfer and credit recognition; and

     (4)  The design, implementation, and effectiveness of performance metrics in measuring program success; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to include in the audit:

     (1)  Data collection and analysis on the adequacy of resources allocated to the programs and initiatives, including staffing, infrastructure, and funding;

     (2)  Recommendations for improvements or changes to existing policies, structures, or programs or initiatives to enhance efficiency and outcomes; and

     (3)  A timeline for implementation of recommended improvements or changes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of any findings and recommendations, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Auditor, Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii, and Director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education.

Report Title: 

University of Hawaii; Office of Vice President for Academic Strategy; Hawaii P-20; Audit

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1352

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 155

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 155 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC STRATEGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

     Your Committee finds that the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii is responsible for overseeing system-wide policies, programs, and initiatives that shape the institution's academic quality, career pathways, workforce pipelines, and performance metrics.  Your Committee further finds that it is vital to evaluate the University of Hawaii's plan to develop career pathways to ensure alignment with the State's industry needs and to facilitate students' transition to gainful employment.  Your Committee also finds that a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii would provide valuable insights into the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of programs and initiatives under its scope, enabling evidence-based improvements and strategic decision-making.  This measure requests the Auditor to perform a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii to provide clarity and insight into the Office's ongoing efforts.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting language that would have requested the Auditor to focus on the design, implementation, and effectives of performance metrics in measuring program success when performing its audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy of the University of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 155, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 155, S.D. 1.

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