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    Statement from University of Hawaii President David Lassner.

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    UH President David Lassner statement

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    Statement from University of Hawaii President David Lassner.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    479 views1 page

    UH President David Lassner Statement

    Uploaded by

    Honolulu Star-Advertiser
    Statement from University of Hawaii President David Lassner.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 1

    Statement from University of Hawaii President David Lassner

    "In 1997, Hawaiʻi’s Economic Revitalization Task Force recognized that strengthening the
    University of Hawaiʻi would help drive the local economy and that greater operational flexibility,
    often referred to as “autonomy,” would unleash a stronger entrepreneurial approach that would
    enable the university to achieve world-class standing in specific areas and diversify its funding
    base. Legislation enacted in 1998 implemented that flexibility and a constitutional amendment
    approved by the public in 2000 clearly stated that “The board [of regents] shall also have
    exclusive jurisdiction over the internal structure, management, and operation of the university.”

    The members of the task force appointed by the governor, speaker of the house and senate
    president, as well as the 1998 legislature that enacted Act 115 were exactly right. The flexibility
    provided through their foresight has enabled UH to exceed all expectations. UH has diversified
    its operational funding far beyond the one-fifth to one-third anticipated in the 1990s.
    Extramural and philanthropic funding has increased ten-fold or more to the highest levels in
    history. Student success has blossomed across our islands. UH has indeed achieved world-
    class distinction in multiple fields including astronomy; Earth, ocean and environmental
    sciences; climate change and resilience; energy; international business; advancement of
    Indigenous people; studies of Asia and the Pacific and more. 

    The positive economic impact of what UH has accomplished for Hawaiʻi utilizing the flexibility
    provided is truly staggering. To highlight just a few findings from UHERO in 2021, in fiscal year
    2020 each dollar of state general fund spending at UH translated into $7.21 of total business
    sales, $2.01 of employee earning and $0.37 of state tax revenue. In addition, the 9,345 degrees
    conferred to UH students in that one year are expected to produce more than $7 billion in net
    lifetime earnings benefits for UH graduates over the next 40-50 years.

    Over the past years we have seen an erosion of the authorities of the board of regents provided
    in the 1990s. This, along with multiple examples of proposed legislation, has impacted both the
    morale and ability of those within the institution to serve Hawaiʻi without undue political
    influence. Nonetheless, we all remain deeply committed to our higher education mission and
    the people we serve across the State. And we are proud of the work we do every day and the
    successes we achieve as the institution most vital to a thriving future for Hawaiʻi."

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