Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Management And Performance Audit Of The Office Of The Vice President For Academic Strategy Of The University Of Hawaii.
Summary
SR155 is a Senate resolution requesting that the Hawaii State Auditor conduct a management and performance audit of the University of Hawaii’s Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. The resolution focuses on how that office, including Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, supports workforce pipeline development from preschool through post-secondary education, and how well the university system’s academic planning aligns with the State’s labor market and industry needs.
The audit is also directed to examine coordination and articulation agreements between the University of Hawaii’s four-year campuses and community colleges, with attention to student transfer pathways and credit recognition. In addition, the Auditor is asked to review whether the programs and initiatives under the office have adequate staffing, infrastructure, and funding, and to provide recommendations for policy, structural, or programmatic improvements along with an implementation timeline. The Auditor must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2026 Regular Session.
Impact
Because SR155 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create new legal requirements. Its practical effect is to request an independent audit of a University of Hawaii administrative office and related education-to-workforce initiatives, which could influence future legislative oversight, budget decisions, and administrative reforms. The resolution specifically targets system-wide academic strategy, career pathway planning, and transfer articulation, so the audit could affect how the University of Hawaii allocates resources and coordinates with community colleges and workforce partners.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the resolution. In Senate Higher Education, the measure passed with amendments by a 3-0 vote, indicating unanimous support among the members voting and no recorded opposition in the available materials. The resolution’s findings frame the audit as a tool for transparency, accountability, and evidence-based improvement, which aligns with the positive committee action.
Contention
No formal committee testimony or recorded debate is provided, so there is no clear evidence of strong opposition in the available record. The main substantive issues embedded in the resolution are whether the University of Hawaii’s academic strategy office is effectively aligning programs with workforce needs, whether Hawaii P-20 is producing seamless education-to-employment pathways, and whether transfer and articulation agreements are functioning well. Any contention would likely center on the scope of the audit, the adequacy of resources devoted to these initiatives, and whether the university system is meeting performance expectations, but those concerns are not specifically attributed to any named legislator or stakeholder in the materials provided.
Same As
Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Management And Performance Audit Of The Office Of The Vice President For Academic Strategy Of The University Of Hawaii.