University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
For Immediate Release:	June 21, 1999
Contact: Jim Manke, University Relations 956-6106

June 18, 1999 Board of Regents Meeting Notes of Interest Regents Ease Purchasing Policies, Approves Purchasing Cards In a move to give university administrators more authority and flexibility in procuring goods, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved new purchasing policies at its June meeting. The streamlined procedures are consistent with last year's autonomy legislation and follow recommendations of an ad hoc committee established to study the matter. Previously, chief fiscal officers had authority to sign off on purchases of up to $4,000. Board action increased that ceiling to $25,000. The new authority is delegated to Senior Vice Presidents and Chancellors with further discretionary authority to delegate to departmentlevel fiscal officers. To assure accountability, periodic field audits will be conducted. The Board further authorized the issuance of purchasing cards, for use by principal investigators and others within departments to make purchases up to $2,500 in the same manner as through the use of a credit card. The purchasing cards would replace purchase orders in such transactions. Purchases made with the cards would still be subject to the university's procurement procedures to assure sound purchasing practices and adherence to State and Federal accounting requirements. The new system should save time and paperwork processing. Proposals will be solicited from qualified firms to implement the card system. New Certificate Program Approved Following a recommendation of the Board's Committee on Academic Affairs, the BOR approved establishment of an interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in International Cultural Studies, to be offered jointly by the University of Hawai i and the EastWest Center. The program will first be offered in Fall 1999, and involves the UHM Colleges of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Languages, Linguistics and Literature, the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies and the EastWest Center. It will be offered to graduate students and consist of 16 credits of course work, a capstone experience and an individual research project. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary issues in the regions of Asia, the Pacific and the United States. School of Public Health Department of Health Agreement. The Board also approved an affiliation agreement between the University of Hawai i and the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) by which the UH School of Public Health (SPH) and DOH will share resources. Qualified DOH staff would provide teaching and research assistance, and DOH would make available practicum sites for SPH students. The DOH would draw on SPH faculty and student resources as opportunities arise. The agreement requires no new funding, and does not have any affect on accreditation of SPH by the Council on Education in Public Health.

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