Budget cuts
COVID-19 has shaken the higher education system in Hawaii as throughout the United States, and I appreciate the regular commentary that UH-Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin provides for our community in the Tribune-Herald. The current fiscal climate is an opportunity for both UH-Hilo and the Hawaii Community College to work together to provide the best education possible for our students.
The highest costs in any college or university budget are people. COVID-related expenses are going up, and revenues are down in enrollment, residence halls and event ticket activities such as sports, etc. Thus, our university system must reduce staffing expenses and be more efficient while still providing a quality educational service. Reducing workers is just one of many other measures that must be considered to operate a more efficient system.
This is also an opportunity to facilitate discussions with community members, alumni, businesses and students to assist the University of Hawaii administration and faculty in designing higher education resources and strategies that will provide organizational improvement and curriculum alignment. The more input from the community, the greater the information sharing and transparency desperately needed.
Fortunately, many people affiliated with UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College are experts in their disciplines and fields, and in industry. They have doctorates, highly regarded certifications and work experience. There is also data regarding program and unit performance that can be used to make decisions to guide our future educational service.
What is needed to balance this problem-solving group is community leaders, alumni, residents and consumers (students). Hawaii Island has geographical and socioeconomic challenges that are different from Oahu and other islands that need attention when designing our future plans. Industry and community participation and advisement are needed to ensure a pathway for our students to enter the workforce ready to be productive and successful citizens.
I am happy to read that UH-Hilo is “up to the job” and look forward to assist in the transformation of our UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community Colleges collaborative efforts to serve our island.
Claudia Wilcox Boucher
Hilo
Double standard
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham and others state that continuing impeachment of President Donald J. Trump under the U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 4, is not permitted after the president left office.
The Justice Department stipulates that a president cannot be criminally charged while in office. So, was President Donald J. Trump shielded both ways?
If Sen. Graham and others are correct, and the Justice Department opinion is correct, then we are left with no way to hold an insurrectionist president accountable.
I say that we must hold President Donald J. Trump accountable. Either let the impeachment trial play out or charge President Trump with felony insurrection.
Gerry Baldwin
Hilo
