University of Hawaii Honolulu Community College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Contact:
Title IX Coordinator - David Uranaka-Yamashiro, email: david.yamashiro@hawaii.edu, phone: (808) 845-9174
EEO Coordinator - Monique Tingkang, email: monique4@hawaii.edu, phone: (808) 844-2398

It is the policy of the University to provide equity of opportunity in higher education, both in the educational mission and as an employer. The University is committed to comply with all State and Federal statutes, rules, and regulations that prohibit discrimination. The University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.
Executive Policy EP 1.202 - University Statement on Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
EP 1.202 is available at http://hawaii.edu/policy/index.php?action=viewPolicy&policySection=ep&policyChapter=1&policyNumber=202

HonCC has a Behavioral Intervention Team (“BIT”) that also responds to incidents involving bias. This response is separate and distinct from its potential disciplinary measures in accordance with applicable policies and procedures related to nondiscrimination.

Out of a respect for privacy and a need to maintain confidentiality to the extent practicable, specific examples of actions taken cannot be provided. However, as a note regarding general protocol, actions can include things such as advising employees on appropriate student intervention strategies, and monitoring individuals of concern when appropriate, with the overall goal of promoting a safe and effective learning environment.

To support individuals who have experienced or witnessed a bias incident, act of discrimination or hate crime, Honolulu Community College provides access to on campus and community resources; supportive measures; and a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigatory structure. Campus resources include but are not limited to confidential advocacy, mental health, campus security, and offices of notice that are responsible for implementing any applicable policies and procedures. Related, Honolulu Community College has multiple policies governing issues of discrimination and inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to Executive Policy ("EP") 1.202 - Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Policy; EP 1.204 - Sex and Gender Based Misconduct Policy; and EP 7.208 - Systemwide Student Conduct Code.

There are specific efforts to recruit students in under-represented groups. Through targeted outreach and initiatives aimed at increasing non-traditional, returning, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, and other underrepresented student populations, the campus provides additional support with recruitment and onboarding efforts for target groups. This is not to say that these services are not provided for all students, but efforts often include increased communication/community outreach/collaboration with other divisions/departments, and providing a single point of contact for specific student populations.

Specifically, Hulili Ke Kukui provides support to our Native Hawaiian community and integrates Hawaiian culture into our campus community.
This includes Kūkala‘ula Native Hawaiian STEM Pathways Program
Kūkalaʻula is part of “Building Occupations and ʻOhana through STEM Training (BOOST)”, a consortium grant sponsored by ALU LIKE, Inc. and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Indian
and Native American Employment Training Program. This program will implement culturally appropriate, place-based strategies to inspire the next cohort of future Native Hawaiian STEM majors and provide students with a $1,200 scholarship to support the completion of their degrees.
More information can be found here: https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/hawaiian.

For the recruitment of employees, HonCC regularly consults and collaborates with its HR team to ensure its hiring process complies with all applicable UH hiring policies, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity guidelines, and the respective collective bargaining agreements. This includes but is not limited to the adherence to procedures set forth under AP 9.540, “Recruitment and Selection of Faculty and Administrative, Professional and Technical (APT) Personnel.”

For example, during the hiring process, each Dean goes over recruitment criteria with screening committees that specifically list underrepresented groups for each position we hire for.

The campus is trying to increase its Hawaiian leaders and faculty representation within academia.

Honolulu Community College has counseling, peer support, academic support, and programs designed to support underrepresented groups on campus. Academic Counseling, CARE, TRIO, Hulili Ke Kukui, Admissions & Records, and Financial Aid work closely with other services on-campus to provide holistic student support for all students. Using UHCC Strategic Directions as a guide, the campus has provided additional support for Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Pacific Islander, and Low-Income (Pell) students.

The campus offers military, Veterans, and their family members access to various VA support programs through the VA Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program as well as access to local Veterans Centers. These services can include access to the military and VA health systems and general VA programs. Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA has shifted many of its support programs and services to virtual access enabling students to remain in contact or establish connections with a VA support element.

The Hawaiian studies department (Huli Ke Kukui Hawaiian center) features a mentorship component within all of its grants. Staff regularly mentors and tracks their students and connects students to cultural practitioners and community projects. The center provides leadership training and a chance for students who undergo that training to later work as student workers to help cover academic costs. Grant focuses on helping to improve the entry of Hawaiians into STEM( Science Technology Engineering and Math), the overall retention of Hawaiian students, and paid schooling with an agreement that they will work within their trade once graduating. They also provide several scholarships that make schooling free or help cover academic costs (Hawaiian tuition waiver, Niuhelewai Scholars program).

The Kukalahale grant provides professional development to HonCC staff and also in collaboration with other UH community colleges. This programming provides peer-to-peer and cultural and place-based training to academic and non-academic staff.

https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/hawaiian

As a general fund Ho'ola Ike (HINET_ also provides services to low-income students looking to pursue a vocational, professional technical non-transfer degree or certificate program. To qualify a student has to fill out their FASFA, be on food stamps or eligible( low income), enrolled at Honolulu CC at least PT (6 cr. hrs). Students who are eligible receive: tuition assistance, assistance with books and mandatory fees, service learning, workforce training, academic coaching, support services( bus pass, gas money, tutoring, emergency cost, employment advising, career coaching, job search assistance, resume writing and supplemental instruction)
Info: https://hinethawaii.org/, hinethon@hawaii.edu

The Hawaiian Center (Hulili Ke Kukui) institutionalizes Native Hawaiian cultural values across faculty and staff development, leadership, and campus programs.
Hulili Ke Kukui will achieve this by:
Supporting the development of Hawaiian/Asian/Pacific (HAP) focused courses,
Integrating Native Hawaiian culture and place in the new employee orientation processes,
Providing opportunities for professional development in the integration and implementation of Native Hawaiian culture and place-based education,
Improving efforts to recruit and retain Native Hawaiian faculty, staff, administrators, and
Advocating for the institutionalization of programs and positions that support the campus’s Native Hawaiian student population.

There is no programs specifically working to train underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members.

Data Sources:
https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/hawaiian
https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
http://hawaii.edu/policy/index.php?action=viewPolicy&policySection=ep&policyChapter=1&policyNumber=202

For a map listing gender neutral bathrooms
https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/sites/www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/files/map-printable.pdf

PA 7 info was provided by:
Lara Sugimoto <larahs@hawaii.edu> Dean of Student Services
David Uranaka-Yamashiro <david.yamashiro@hawaii.edu> Title 9 Coordinator
Silvan Chung <silvan@hawaii.edu> Academic Support

Further info on support of under-represented groups.
The Hawaiian studies department does an incredible amount to support Hawaiian students as well as provide professional development. This is not enough space to describe all that they do. Please see the attached word document for a complete list of services. This is a highlight of our campus.

There also is a Honolulu Community College Fact Book 2021 that tracks college student demographics by ethnicity as well as recent high school grads that is publicly available . https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/sites/www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/files/ppir-factbook-2021.pdf