UH Board of Regents Establish Department of Native Hawaiian Health in the UH Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine

Establishment of UH Hilo College of Business and Economics also granted

HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) at its monthly meeting held today at UH Hilo has authorized the establishment of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health as part of the UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).

The Department of Native Hawaiian Health was conceived based on a growing recognition at the federal level that a serious health care problem exists in the United States relative to the disparity in health care status of minority groups. This has led to specific legislation providing new federal agencies and extensive new federal funding designed to investigate and ameliorate the problem of disparities in health care status. A number of Hawai'i‘s population groups, notably Native Hawaiians, are known to suffer disproportionately from many diseases and conditions. In addition to issues of disparate healthcare status, Hawai'i has a unique cultural heritage and tradition of healing practices.

In other action, the BOR established the College of Business and Economics at UH Hilo. All programs, faculty and budget will be transferred from the College of Arts and Sciences, where the business school is currently located.

"I‘d like to thank the members of the board for their approval of this program to the college status," said UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng. "The establishment of the College of Business and Economics is a strong step towards positioning UH Hilo as the state‘s leader in small business entrepreneurship. I fully expect this program to develop a robust curriculum that will increase enrollment by attracting the highest quality students to our campus."

The establishment of the UH Hilo College of Business and Economics will create a more autonomous academic and administrative structure, allowing for sharper focus on the missions of the professional business programs. It is also expected to promote greater operating efficiency in the development and delivery of programs, greater institutional and community recognition of the College of Business and Economics and achievement of its vision to be Hawai'i‘s leader in small business and entrepreneurial education.

In other action, after over two hours of testimony by supporters and opponents, the BOR amended its approval of an increase in student activity fees at UH Hilo and Hawai'i Community College. The amendment addresses students taking four credit hours or less and will allow them to be assessed a reduced student activity fee. The fee increase will be used to enhance co-curricular and out-of-classroom learning experiences for students such as social events, educational programs, intramural and club sports programs, leadership development programs and student media outlets including the campus newspaper.

The board also approved a supplemental budget for fiscal year 2004 — 2005 that includes approximately $20 million for operations and $129 million, from general obligation bonds, for capital improvement projects.

In addition the BOR approved an amendment to current board policy on rules of conduct related to communicating with constituencies outside of board meetings.