FACULTY SENATE RESPONSE TO THE CHANCELLOR'S PROCESS COMMITTEE REPORT

The Faculty Senate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Senate) has examined the Draft Report of the Chancellor's Process Committee (Report) and supports in principle a transparent, bottom-up process of prioritization as outlined in the Report.

We have concerns about the timeline for implementation of the process, which is expected to substantially change the long-term character of the University, because it precludes meaningful consultation by affected groups.  In particular:

1. We are concerned that this process cannot, in the time allotted, be implemented in a manner that gives proper attention to academic integrity and the long-term health of the University.

2. The process should therefore be carried out so as to prioritize care and due diligence over speed, and ensure that external deadlines do not drive decisions with enduring ramifications for the academic integrity of the University.

3. Proposed changes to the process must be accepted, considered, and incorporated after the nominal January 23 deadline and throughout the process of prioritization to include an immediate request for comment on the appropriateness the rubrics and ranking procedures as part of data collection from all programs engaged in the review process.

4. A step should be added to the timeline in which the process itself is evaluated, the process for this evaluation should be spelled out in advance, and Faculty will have an active role in the creation and implementation of this evaluation.

5. The scope of the process should include athletics and all administrative units and offices, including the Office of the Chancellor.

6. If the process leads to any proposals that include reorganization or elimination of programs as defined in the Report, such proposals should be explicitly tied to, and justified by, a timeline in cost savings and/or other clearly articulated benefit to the University.

7. The Senate must have the opportunity to fully review and respond to any proposals or outcomes resulting from the process.

8. The Senate understands that external consideration might require the Administration to make some policy decisions in advance of the conclusion of this process;  such decisions should be carried out in a manner consistent with the points above, with an emphasis on transparency and shared governance.