Responses to Off Campus Survey
Analyzing 22 responses.
Presentation generated on January 28, 2002.
Q.1 In your opinion, what changes are needed to make UH Hilo a better
university?
Increase the standards
regarding academic writing & scholarship.
Also, strive to develop a more comprehensive evening school that will
better serve untraditional students. In the area of Hawaiian Studies, while higher
degreed faculty seem to be fine, the instructors, etc. seem to have a rather
blatant anti-haole attitude. As a
public institution, discrimination should not be tolerated in any form.
well none what so ever in my opinion i think hilo is fine just
the way it is in fact i think the way to make hilo a university a one of a knid
is to include a program that everyone can participate in to help save
endangered animals example:the panda
It (the faculty) needs to articluate with the High schools in
order to create a skilled high perfomance students ready for the rigors of the
post secondary level. There should be a
statewide exit test in the high school that will count as a placement test for
any UH system school. If the high
school needs to imporve their cirriculum/or reform the school system itself, in
order for students to do well on that exit/placement exam - then that needs to
be articulated between a group of Kindergarten through post secondary school
teachers. It will save states money in
remedial classes.
More Masters programs, especially in the Social Science fields. Most reputable University's offer Master's
and even PhD programs; we only offer a few leaving most students to leave the
island to further their education.
More paved parking.
Also, parking permits should not be limited especially for red areas.
Need for focused efforts from the University as a collective
body. Increase in visibility and active
involvement of administration in the Hilo community - the same expectation that
is desired out of service learning, is what all should be doing with sincerest
of aloha. Increase supports for developing theatrical, music and poetry
courses. Refine the structural and professional image of the University to look
like a UNIVERSITY.
In my opinion, UH Hilo can reach out more in the community to
foster a stimulating educated environment.
As one drives through Hilo, little or no evidence is apparent that this
is a university town. Where are the
good book stores, rep theaters, coffee houses, student hangouts, foreign film
theaters, continuing education facilities, puplic lecture announcements
etc. This kind of atmosphere is as much
a part of the educational process as class rooms and exams. One only has to look at Berkeley, Palo Alto,
Eugene...and a mulitude of other university towns to find real stimuation which
attracts top notch students and staff.
Requiring at least one year of foreign language study for
students. Improving communication among
students, faculty, and administration (e.g., notifying pre-registered students
by mail, e-mail, telephone, and/or public notice of canceled classes). Bring more graduate-level programs here
(especially in the humanities and information science).
More majors and satellite facilities around the island to attend
classes.
Diversity and a clarified mission
I think there needs to be a more serious classroom environment
in which a true challenge is presented.
I think housing needs to re-evaluate the living environment of the students,
Mariott needs to recalculate how much it truly costs to eat for a semester. I think the town of Hilo could use some
uplifting business changes, everything closes so early or is far from the
University.
For the future needs of perpetual scholars (like me - HCC ADN
'86, UHH BA '89. NAU ABD PhD currently), ONLINE COURSES!! ONLINE DEGREES!!
UH Hilo needs to recognize that there is a need for a full UH
campus in West Hawaii and to support its development.
More student housing, more emphasis on recruiting/attracting
quality mainland & international students.
Any kid that with a 3.5 GPA or better and decent SATs should get a free pass (or at least
in-state tuition).
UH Hilo needs to upgrade the skills of the grounds personnel and
make a committment to beautification of the grounds with a botanical garden
approach. At present the crew tends to kill trees with weedwackers and poison,
or prune them in a damaging way. The administration readily finds reasons to
cut down trees, such as those in the parking lot, but does not fulfill their
committment to replanting with more appropriate trees. Second, the library shelves need to
be filled with current books and periodicals. The library hours should be
expanded to meet the needs of summer school students--including night and
weekend hours. Evening activities
such as foreign films, speakers and workshops would invite the students and the
community interact more frequently.
I am concerned that the skills of the students entering college are not
up to par. More needs to be done to interface with the high schools before
entry.
In my opinion, as a former student at UH-Hilo, I realized that
there was not many students with disabilities going through the university. I
believe that to make UH-Hilo a better university for students with disabilities
is to provide better accomodations and educate the staff and professors on how
to treat people with disabilities. During my only year there, i found it very
fustrating dealing with accomodations and professors that help me to learn at
the fullest and enjoy my college year.
UH-Hilo need give money to maintain the disabilities services on campus
because there are new technology out there that make learning way much easier
for students. I would recommend that they look into real time caption (RTC) for
the hearing impaired and the deaf.
Another thing would be to educate the professors and staff alike about
treating people with disabilities equally.
I found that some professors were rude and ignorant and treated people
with disabilities as if they did not belong in their classroom. More variations in class courses
would make it more attractive to students to attend UH-Hilo in the future.
More classes and time schedules for growing majors, specifically
the Communcations department!!!
Sample
Answering: 17 responses
Q.2 In what areas could UH Hilo develop a nationally/internationally
known reputation?
Astronomy (of course),
marine sciences (ditto), and the rapid & comprehensive development of a
Master's Degree program in Psychology.
well the conservation in saving endangered animals
Hawaiian culture and environmental issues (especially the
investigation of hawaiian archeological sites, ancient farming and aquaculture
systems - pre contact period)
Offer more graduate programs.
More new majors
Offer course specialialities that students want out of a
university (coures mentioned above,and be aware that the Humanities has not
received its recognition that the rest of the world routinely recognizes as important.
Increase supports and develop national (NSE) and international student exchange
programs - have ISEP connect with Chinese higher ed institutions directly, and
have NSE connect with IVY league schools and UK universities. The rationale is that students may not be
able to attend these institutions, but can certainly experience the campus for
a semester, or year.
Develope more ties to Asian Universities
UH-Hilo could work on its volcanology, astronomy, and Hawaiian
studies programs, all of which are real strengths for the college. Asian-Pacific literature studies can be
further developed.
Integration of indigenous culture and its sensibilities into
contemporary pop culture to serve as a viable foundation for multi-generational
sustainability.
Is that really important?
The school should integrate the courses it offers and the degrees it
grants with the overall needs of the island and the State. Students need training in subject matter
that can allow them to compete for jobs on their home island or perhaps within
the State. If there are world class and
known programs which lead to degrees that the recipients need to go to the
mainland to get jobs, what is the value to the island community?
Since UHH already has proven to excell in the areas of Hawaiian
Studies/Language Rivitalization,
Astronomy, and Marine Sciences, it would be in the best intrest to
capitalize on these subjects and improve on them until we are the unquestion
leaders in said freilds
I think since the Astronomy and Marine Sciences are already
known, perhaps they should invest in something like their teaching program
considering Hawaii needs teachers very badly.
The possibility of having a sports pull could help this University gain
prestige and funding.
UHH is ideally suited for marine/environmental sciences
including volcanic studies
Nursing and health, but they are neglected for other programs.
We have outstanding caregivers who can be a world guide. Also, they should develop
community partnerships in the area of digital media. With the UHH grant center in place, diverse private partners can
be found in both the non-profit and for profit sectors.
marine biology, computer science
Astronomy, marine biology, Asian studies, language studies, natural
geography, lots of stuff -- pick something and do a good job (it ain't gonna
happen with mirrors).
Pacific regional environmental studies
agriculture, astronomy, hawaiian studies, culinary arts.
UH-Hilo could develop in aquaculture, marine biology, forestry,
and biology as a nationally/internationally known reputation because the island
is a good laboratory to learn about the said subject.
Sample
Answering: 19 responses
Q.3 How can UH Hilo better serve the island and the state?
Continue a primary focus
on serving the populace who live in the state...don't just simply betray us to
go after a more international student body.
Hawaii is, after all, a terrifically diverse place. We can market within our own back yard.
by participating in the state that hawaii is in or hilo and
helping students achieve their goals i think that students and children are the
future of our future and everyone esles
Offer more classes to the outlying areas or build a new West
Hawaii campus comparable to HCC.
Offer graduate programs so that the students don't have to leave
the island to futher their education.
Those who can't afford to leave (many people) are limited in their advancement
due to the limited offerings of the University.
NA
Offer educational opportunities that the Mainland colleges
offer, but to do this, UHH must have a good dialogue with the future and
current UHH students - not just counselors. Have more community service events
that gives back to those who have supported the University over the years. Inform the state of Hawaii of stellar
faculty - as is often noted in the local campus publications, it should also go
out in a monthly notice in the Oahu and neighbor island newspapers. Have an
open door policy about information and projects that are controversial to the
local community. Ensure that at all
times, the University does not act to hurt the people and environment of
Hawai'i Island,and respect the culture of the Hawaiian people.
Develope a strong Food Science Department with research in food
processing and packaging.
Utilize the knowledge available from India and China in bamboo
utilization
It's all and good that UH Hilo expands to meet the needs of the
students and community, but as a kona resident with graduate degrees and a
hunger for more intellectual stimulation, I find the emphasis on significate
educational (not just trade type courses) and cultural events restricted to the
Hilo side of the island disheartening.
All the government seems to care about on the Kona side is tourism,
which seems to generate an anti-intellestual attitude and mind-set. If UH Hilo indeed wants to serve the island
better how about helping to foster a more stimulating atmosphere which will
attract talented educated people who can develop and run high tech type of
enterprises.
By developing graduate programs, as well as library science and
journalism programs, the university can retain local students as well as
attract students and faculty from elsewhere.
Follow Manoa's lead in making training and information available to the
general public.
See #2.
Satellite facilities around the island, distance learning
opportunities, additional majors and courses of study which may not be offered
at UH Hilo......but are offered by the Manoa campus........ Grant additional degree objectives via
distance learning AND by importing professors from Manoa to meet the needs of
students and the community.
See above.
Provide more incentive for Hawaii residents
By producing more qualified graduates. Particularly more qualified graduates of government programs,
teaching, and medicine.
By building enough accomodation that reasonably priced private
accomodation is not all taken up with students and staff to the detriment of
the local community. By
continuing to look at the needs of local industry/business and ensure that
educational classes can match the needs.
Provide online courses for those who cannot attend for a
multitude of reasons. Become an online
resource center, not a dinosaur.
UH needs to offer more courses in West Hawaii that will provide
train West HI residents in marketable skills other than hotel industry.
More programs of general community interest (such a plays,
concerts, etc).
Provide a learning and teaching environment where pride and
respect are evident in the students and teachers. The university should not be
viewed as an extension of high school.
By offering more different subjects for class courses, better
the athletic facilities and add more colliegate sports so high school students
can have the options of continuing their sport through college.
Sample
Answering: 19 responses
Q.4 How might UH Hilo better preserve and strengthen Hawaiian language
and culture?
See the latter part of my
answer to Question #1.
by concluding a hawaiian language in a class in to show people
that the hawiian culture is an interesting and exotic culture that will unite
people with what they believe the beauty of nature and precious
See the #2
NA
Talk with the Hawaiian kapuna directly on this. It is often the ones who do not speak out,
are the very ones that should be listened to.
Stroger support for hawaiian cultural events.
Hawaiian studies can complement almost any field of study. Consider courses in Hawaiian medicine, art
(including art theory), journalism (perhaps putting out a periodical in both
English and Hawaiian or just Hawaiian), science, and literature.
Not just grant-by-grant, or individual teacher by individual
teacher, but a policy and program with decades-long orientation to provide
outreach and extension to *every* Big Island community. Soul searching and decision re. rankings of
a) importance to future preservation and welfare of all life, and b) consequent
priority for allocation of current and future, continuing budget amounts.
I am not sure, but I see it on its present course as a divisive
and separatist sort of path.......rather than a broadening, unifying and
inclusive course of study. While
identifying cultural history and teaching about it certainly keeps it alive and
vital, too much cultural emphasis of any kind leads to a separatist type situation
like what's occurring in the middle east, the former Yugoslavia,
Indian-Pakistani border and other places in the world where cultural and
religious focus leads to intolerance and extremist situations. So, be careful what you wish for.........
Expand the Hawaiian language College and offer a Doctorate in
Hawaiian Studies and Linguistics
I think UH Hilo is among the forefront of refurbishing the
knowledge of Hawaiian culture and language.
Supporting the collection of memoirs/ other memorabilia and
research. Arranging public talks/exhibitions about the culture.
Work with local Hawaiian digital media persons/orgs to provide a
voice for the culture by providing state-of-the-art digital media training in
locales where Hawaiians still live (like Naalehu). Utilize native producers, like Na Maka o ka Aina, to equip and
train youth of Hawaii so they can tell their own stories on digital media
(which, coincidentally, would give them a great job future in a growth industry
that they could do from whereever they chose to live.
no response
Shouldn't.
By making Hawaiian Language and History part of the required
requirements to graduate.
Sample
Answering: 16 responses
Q.5 How might UH Hilo make a greater contribution to the economic development
of Hawai'i Island?
Encourage a stronger
partnership between island business & the university in welcoming UHH
students as HIGH QUALITY interns, etc.
by showing and letting the students have an inside look on how
economic development is important for many reasons on of those is the future
buisness men, teachers, preservers, etc. books and museums are very important
to show the people the imporatance of having money and control can lead to
leardership higher self esteem and popularity and protection and most of all
respect from the peers around.
Train a better educated generation; thereby allowing more
companies incentives of qualified collage graduates to work in their companies.
NA
Begin by giving back to the community - through partnerships
that help the community by becoming part of the solution. Hawaii CC students and faculty held a Town
Hall meeting last semester, and came out with lists of concerns and solutions. Work with the community and Hawaii CC to
address those concerns - individually, as a group, and as an institution. By
giving of ourselves in this manner, we will be helping the economic development
of Hawai'i island through three intangible resources...our experience,
knowledge and precious time.
Think Agriculture and move the scool from Manoa.
I would certainly be willing to participate in planning
discussions within the Kona community in building a better educational and
cultural enviroment
Developing bachelor's and graduate-level programs in journalism,
science, agriculture will retain and attract students and faculty. Reaching out to the community at large with
information and training programs (something like a school of continuing
education) will increase awareness and a sense of commitment to the university.
Extension model to provide expert knowledge and practical
counsel to grassroots people in every community. The demands of survival are so great for most folks out in the community
that the ivory tower model of conferences, lunch meetings, etc. just will not
cut it!
Courses and degrees that support the needs of the island and
state........diversified agriculture, business, health and medical related and
other courses of study which support the economic, cultural and social needs of
the island and the state.
Outreach programs and economic incentives to area business for
participation in UHH activities & programs
The idea of a multi purpose complex available to private
organisers is a good one. I'm not certain however whether the current hotel
accomodation is adequate to support important or large conferences and events.
Support the digital media growth by partnering. To compete with other University providers,
UHH Online courses need to be supported with outstanding digital visual
images/sound. If it chooses to finally
recognize the importance of video and get out of the dark ages - equipment and
policy-wise, UHH can ride the wave of convergence between video, computers and
film in High Definition Video. If
digital is good enough for the next Star Wars movie, we should be training our
folks how to do it on great equipment!!
Provide marketable skills and network with mainland industries
to encourage them moving to the Big Island to do business.
Attract more students; spend more money.
Develope infrastructure, buildings to support effective
teaching.The portables that the BSN students use are a disgrace and as a guest
lecturer I was disappointed in the facility the students are expected to learn
and particiapte in.
Sample
Answering: 16 responses
Email Responses to the
Public Survey
Hi, I am a resident of Kona. I would like to encourage the state to put more money into the West Hawaii branch of UH. I didn't like it when our branch was just turned into a satellite outreach/HCC. That is an insult to all the students aspiring to BA, and why would the degree we earn be at West Oahu rather than Manoa? I have an AA degree from a comm college in Florida, and it is very difficult to transfer credits equitably. If you made it easier to transfer an AA across for 2 years of credit, with testing to determine remedial work needed if any, it would be easier for residents to finish a BA/BS, and it would encourage transfer students from mainland too.
Kona would be an awesome college town for mainlanders to come to, which would subsidize our residents tuition.
Upper division opportunities for Kona residents are slim. Struggling along with a few classes here and there evenings and weekends takes too long to get anything accomplished. Seems like single moms are the only well represented group of diehard students around here. They don't have the choice/mobility to go elsewhere.
More people would take classes if it led to a marketable degree and there were enough classes to make some decent progress. It would be great to have a real campus, but really shouldn't the buildout match the demand? People here don't seem to mind having classes in a remodeled supermarket. What we do mind is the type of degree programs offered.
Why not offer the same degree programs and classes available, if enough people sign up, the professors are hired and a room rented. Computer Science/Applications would probably go well, nursing, teaching, art.
I heard only $300,000 was budgeted for planning of our new campus here in Kona. Too bad. Are you going to do any additional infrastructure to benefit community such as through road/water lines for Kona Coastview/Wonderview?
Dear Ms.
Rogers
How can UH
Hilo make a greater contribution to the economic development in the island? AN
EXPERIMENTAL FARM IN KA`U TO STIMULATE LOCAL FARMERS.
Please look
at the CTAHR map showing the location of UH experimental farms. They are every
place except in Ka`u! And Ka`u needs help the most because of the loss of the
sugar industry.
I propose a
farm focused on lesser known tropical fruits. At Ka`u Farmers' Market, atemoya
from Eke Nui Farm is sold quickly. People plant coffee and macnuts, but if we
had durian, rolinia, black sapote etc. etc. consumers would pay good prices
because of the novelty, as well the great taste. Farmers need advice on
varieties, climate, wind resistance, pests and similar issues.
Please set
up a new experimental farm in the Na`alehu/Pahala area and help farmers develop
new crops.
(I am an
ex-research scientist volunteer helping the community develop a new Strategic
Plan).
Dear Ms. Rogers:
My only input is that better meeting the needs of West Hawaii should be
considered in the revised plan.
Thanks.
Ms.
Rogers,
I am writing
with regards the UH-Hilo 10-year Strategic Plan. If your plan does not include expansion of the Hawaii Interactive
Television System (HITS) program to West Hawaii students, I would like to
encourage you to do so.
I live in
Kailua-Kona and am very interested in continuing my education in the fields of
Conservation Biology and Natural Resource Management. Last summer I saw an article in the paper about the offering of a
Master's in Business Administration program through West Hawaii College. I and several of my colleagues would be
interested in seeing the same type of offering,
or more
opportunities for your EECB (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology)
Master's program.
We are
working professionals with families and it is very difficult logistically to
take classes at UH-Hilo (or UH-Manoa) although it is located on the same
island. The distance is truly a barrier
and a HITS program offering classes in natural resources and conservation
biology will help to meet the growing demands in this field, an expanding and
dynamic
field.
Thank you
for the opportunity to provide input on your plan.
Helen Rogers,
This survey for UH Hilo is terrific.
I am happy to give you my opinion.
1. The campus needs badly parking facilities. You have more faculty and more students but not enough parking.
2. I look forward to the Hilo campus to have an Olympic size swimming pool but I guess thats one of my dreams. Big Island have good swimmers.
3. I am disappointed about the basketball team. Hardly any local boys and I know we have good players graduating from our high schools. Its too bad the coach cant be bothered with the locals. Its been that way for many years.
Much aloha,
Dear Ms. Rogers:
In your medical facilities, may I request important persuasions to medical students to specialize in geriatrics.
The elderly in Hawaii is growing exponentially and there is no specialized care for them.
There is not a geriatric physician in Kona.
Sincerely,