UH Board of Regents Approves Transfer of Authority Over Managerial Hires to UH President

BOR also approves increase in admission fees for Waikiki Aquarium

University of Hawaiʻi
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Posted: Jul 19, 2004

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) at its monthly meeting held Friday at the UH Mānoa campus approved the transfer of authority over managerial hires to the UH president.

The BOR voted to delegate to the president authority to approve personnel actions related to managerial positions and incumbents in accordance with established board policies with certain provisions. The action relieves the board of certain responsibilities that can be managed by the UH administration and will facilitate the timely processing of actions, freeing the BOR for matters related to policy.

Other personnel matters included the approval of the establishment of the new executive class—Dean, UH Hilo—which replaces three existing classes and incorporates the new Dean position for the College of Business and Economics at UH Hilo.

In other action, the BOR approved an increase in admission and fee rates for the Waikiki Aquarium, effective August 1, 2004. Rates for the aquarium have not been raised for over 10 years, and the increase will allow the aquarium to address rising operating costs and maintain the excellent exhibits and educational and research opportunities made available by the facility.

According to the approved fee schedule, admission will be:

· Free — children four years and younger accompanied by an adult; persons 65 years old and older on a tour sponsored by a senior citizens group; Hawaiʻi school groups accompanied by a teacher and scheduled in advance; and members and reciprocal members of the Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium;

· $2.00 — children ages five to 12;

· $4.00 — persons ages 13 to 17; persons with disabilities; non-resident school and community groups; and Hawaiʻi community groups scheduled in advance;

· $6.00 — Hawaiʻi residents 18 years and older; active duty military personnel; college students with a current student ID; persons 65 years or older; prepaid bulk purchase; and

· $9.00 — Non-residents ages 18 to 64

New rates for after-hours group rental for events, including tables and chairs, and classroom rentals will also go into effect.

In other action, the initiation of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for the development of a Cancer Research Center on the Kakaʻako waterfront was approved in concept. The approval allows the UH administration to take the next steps toward initiation of the RFQ process. A 5.5-acre site on the Kakaʻako waterfront adjacent to the new campus for the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine has been identified as an ideal location for a new Cancer Research Center, and the administration has already been approached by a number of nationally recognized private developers who have expressed interest in building the center. The RFQ process is proposed in order to identify the most suitable candidate for the development of the center.

The BOR also approved in principle the long range development plan for the University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu campus. The plan serves as a guide for the future physical development of a new UH West Oʻahu campus and allows the administration to look into possible public/private partnerships to develop the campus.

A three-year contract with Licensing Resource Group, Inc. to provide collegiate licensing services for the University of Hawaiʻi was also approved by the board. The contract, which will be effective August 1, 2004, will provide the university with access to specialized resources and individuals with national collegiate licensing expertise to assist in 1) developing local, regional and national educational and promotional campaigns; 2) developing and promoting new non-traditional retail markets for collegiate merchandise; 3) increasing licensing-related revenues; and 4) increasing the visibility of the university through emblematic merchandise and retail venues nationwide.

A lease agreement between UH Hilo and the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) was also approved, allowing HTDC to operate and manage UH Hilo‘s recently renovated Small Business Incubator (SBI) project until the campus‘ newly established College of Business and Economics is in a position to operate the SBI program.

The BOR recognized and congratulated the university‘s nominees for the 2004 Governor‘s Awards for Distinguished State Service — Richard L. Chock, Research Support — Facilities Manager, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biomedical Research Center, nominated for Employee of the Year, and the Windward Community College operations and maintenance team of Xavier "Frank" Chang, James McCumber, Freddie Gamayo and Isaac "Pono" Chang, nominated for the Team Excellence Award of Merit.

In other business, the BOR disbanded the task groups on Board Affairs, Conflict of Interest and Political Activity, and Evaluating the Use of University-Owned Property by External Organizations, transfering the responsibilities on these issues to the administration and the university general counsel. It also re-elected Chairperson Patricia Lee and Vice Chairperson Kitty Lagareta to another term in these positions.

The BOR also approved the appointment of Rockne Freitas as chancellor of Hawaiʻi Community College. A separate release with further details will be available.