UH Board of Regents Elect New Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

Approval to purchase land on Maui also granted

University of Hawaiʻi

HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) at its monthly meeting held today at the Mānoa campus elected Patricia Lee to serve as chairperson and Kitty Lagareta to serve as vice-chairperson, effective immediately. Lee, an attorney and partner with Goodsill, Anderson, Quinn & Stifel, was appointed to the BOR in 2001. Lagareta is chairperson and chief executive officer of Communications Pacific. She was appointed to the BOR this year.

In other action, the BOR approved the agreement to purchase land and develop the Institute for Astronomy‘s (IFA) Advanced Technology Center on Maui with an amendment for the IFA to report back to the BOR with in six months on possible options regarding the existing site. The purpose of this development is to replace IFA‘s current 80 year-old Waiakoa Laboratory with a state-of-the-art facility that will help the program maintain its status as one of the world‘s premier solar research programs.

In addition the BOR approved several degree programs and certificates. A post-baccalaureate certificate in special education established to meet the growing demand for special education teachers as well as a Ph.D. degree program in music were both approved for UH Mānoa. An associate in science degree in eBusiness was approved for Kapiolani Community College to meet the current and future demands of business technology. Permanent status for the associate in science certificate of achievement in electronic and computer engineering technology was granted to Maui Community College. This program prepares students for employment in entry-level positions such as engineering technicians, electrical technicians and computer technicians. Honolulu Community College received approval to establish a third-year advanced professional

certificate for the computing, electronics and networking (CENT) program. The goal of this program is to expand the information technology pipeline by increasing the number of Hawai'i graduates in computer science.

Regents also acknowledged receipt of research and training grants totaling nearly $25 million for the one-month period ending June 15. Vice President for Academic Affairs David McClain noted that the books have not yet closed on the fiscal year ending June 30, but that for the first time grant funding to UH exceeded $300 million in a one year period. This represents an increase of about 30 percent in such funding over the previous year, maintaining the steady rate of increases in external grants over the past half-dozen years. The majority of grants go to UH Mānoa, although more than $20 million has been awarded to researchers at UH Hilo during the year.

Finally, the BOR approved the reappointment of Robert Pacheco and Harry Yada to the Mauna Kea Management Board (MKMB) for a term of four years each. In accordance with the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan, the MKMB serves in an advisory capacity to the chancellor of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo on matters related to the management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. In addition, the MKMB provides guidance to the Office of Mauna Kea Management.

*** Note: A separate release was issued on the branding sub-committee‘s recommendation to the BOR on the system-wide graphic identity program.