Mānoa Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Minutes of August 3, 2009

SEC 8/3/09 Present: Rayner, Hippensteele, Crosby, Hilgers, Zaleski; M Tiles (by invitation) Chair’s report

1. Meeting of Budget and Prioritization committees (Rayner and M Tiles reporting).

The meeting involved prioritization and the budget in light of the retrenchment decision.

The meeting did not reveal an action plan. Although there was a lot of data on budget, there was virtually nothing presented on prioritization and what the extended process has yielded. Yet the need to make decisions grows by the hour.

The contract is rather unclear on what can be retrenched. Cutshaw notes that retrenchment is needed independent of the current financial crisis: stimulus funds can help us only for 2 years. After 2 years, we will continue to be unable to afford what we do.

SEC’s position: UHM’s non-plan for dealing with current reality leaves UHM dysfunctional. SEC will draft a statement of possible principles to guide UHM’s moving forward. The statement can, at a minimum, provide a straw dog for necessary discussion. But the reality is we don’t have time for prolonged discussion: the academic year begins 2 weeks from today. A statement may jump-start campus action.

2. New business

A. McMackin. SEC will be watching for results of the administration decision of his punishment. If the results are less than deemed necessary and appropriate, SEC will act.

B. The FS Committee on Athletics will be asked to review what has happened and monitor results.

The meeting adjourned at 4:20.