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+--- Thread: program cuts at UHH (/showthread.php?tid=22129)
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program cuts at UHH - kalakoa - 01-13-2021
Budget cuts are forcing UHH to drop some programs; Astronomy is on the list, though it's not clear whether they really intend to cut it or just use it as a bargaining chip.
RE: program cuts at UHH - TomK - 01-13-2021
Well, since the programs at risk include fundamental STEM subjects such as natural sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics and geology, let's hope it's some sort of bargaining chip.
"The Faculty Congress also contends in its statement that Irwin’s plan includes the “likely termination” of 15 degree programs: natural science, physics, astronomy, philosophy, gender and women’s studies, mathematics, chemistry, performing arts, geology, Japanese studies and art bachelor degree programs; the Hawaiian language and literature, and heritage management master’s degree programs; and doctorate programs inHawaiian and indigenous language and cultural revitalizationand [sic] pharmaceutical sciences."
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2021/01/11/hawaii-news/uh-hilo-chancellor-responds-to-criticism-from-faculty-congress/
RE: program cuts at UHH - Seeb-2 - 01-13-2021
The cultural stuff without job opportunities can go. But messing with pharmacy or astronomy programs is stupid. the Honolulu’ists want to cut anything that they don’t make a buck off of
RE: program cuts at UHH - ChunksterK - 01-13-2021
To take Seeb's comment a step farther, I can guarantee you they won't be cutting the Hawaiian Studies program. Sacred cow.
RE: program cuts at UHH - kalakoa - 01-13-2021
Sounds like some of the "cuts" are really a "cry for attention" then ... but I'd also bet astronomy would be in a stronger position if the TMT were being built.
RE: program cuts at UHH - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 01-13-2021
Education in Hawaii is at best a ramshackle affair. Now the State proposes a way to make it even worse.
Parents, after your keiki graduate from high school will you join an ever growing group of your contemporaries who ask, "why do our kids move to the mainland?" If UHH cuts back classes and programs it shouldn't come as a surprise. But maybe your kid has a relative who can get them a full time 20 minute a day* park maintenance job (lawn mowing, etc.) with the County instead, so they can remain on island. That’s fine if it’s their first choice for work. But when government administrators slash funding on education so government payrolls can remain bloated even during the pandemic with a reduced workload, how is that fair for students who’d prefer a private sector job as their first choice?
This afternoon I mowed my lawn. A few minutes ago I watched the Hubble Space Telescope cross the southern sky and pass through the constellation Orion. Sure my lawn looks great, but as I stood in the cool evening air contemplating discoveries made by Hubble while I watched it pass overhead, that was the greater highlight in my day. I hope the kids can continue to study astronomy at UHH.
* Some years ago West Hawaii today had a reporter follow County workers on their shift. 20 minutes was the average actual working time during an eight hour work day.
If you're ever in Pahala on Monday-Friday at lunch time drive to the Community Center. Good luck finding a parking place. The entire lot is filled with Hawaii County work vehicles. It does keep the Ka'u unemployment rate down, but where do they all "work" in the district?
RE: program cuts at UHH - TomK - 01-14-2021
HereOnThePrimalEdge wrote:
"This afternoon I mowed my lawn. A few minutes ago I watched the Hubble Space Telescope cross the southern sky and pass through the constellation Orion. Sure my lawn looks great, but as I stood in the cool evening air contemplating discoveries made by Hubble while I watched it pass overhead, that was the greater highlight in my day. I hope the kids can continue to study astronomy at UHH."
It would be almost criminal to remove subjects such as mathematics, physics, geology, and chemistry from a university just a few miles from the best observing site in the northern hemisphere and a university that is supposed to manage the mountain and operate telescopes on Mauna Kea. I don't believe for one minute this is a sensible proposal and it's a terrible message to send to local kids who want a decent and rewarding career.
Maybe this is a controversial view in the US, but universities are supposed to be places of academic research and learning. Are cuts being proposed for the athletic programs? I'm a big sports fan but I'm not convinced that an athletic program is more important than STEM and other fields that actually allow kids to have a realistic chance of a successful future.
RE: program cuts at UHH - terracore - 01-14-2021
This is what bureaucrats do. They don't propose real efficiencies, they propose "solutions" that have the greatest negative impact to frighten the taxpayers into opening their wallets further.
On the mainland, when they need to get a school bond measure passed the first thing they threaten to cut is bus service. The parents could care less if the school spends 20% less on maintenance but if you threaten to make them drive their kids to school everyday then suddenly it's an emergency to go out and vote for more taxes.
Frankly, this should be a wake up call that the "old way" of educating people has passed. There is no part of a philosophy degree that can't be done online. You're going to be a barista at the end of it anyway, there is no reason to sink tax dollars into it.
I remember, in college, I took a "history of western civilization" class. The instructor told us that history hasn't changed, we could use any old used (save money) textbook. I couldn't even afford that so I read the relative sections from encyclopedias. I got an A in the class, but even 30 years ago I wondered, why did I pay for this class again? I learned everything by reading encyclopedias. Sure there were lectures, but the instructor only had to give each one once if it was video taped.
RE: program cuts at UHH - eightfingers2.0 - 01-14-2021
The idea is to sell books.
RE: program cuts at UHH - Ccat - 01-18-2021
I was, also, a bit surprised at the subjects listed to be cut.
As a former college teacher I can feel the faculty pain as many of these are basic subjects.
Oddly enough, they were having trouble finding someone to teach a single class in my rare specialty a year or so ago but the pay was too low to bother applying. (I am retired now)
Education is on the downhill everywhere and it’s not just because of declining enrollment. Schools can teach many more students using multimedia, online, etc. They don’t need faculty anymore!
They only need one set of resources to train all the students in the world.
That means that all the former faculty members get demoted to teaching assistants at near min wage. And soon to be AI teaching assistants almost free.
There are a few special Long term careers (medical, engineering, etc) that still make sense, but the 2 year Community college trade school guys (hvac, plumbing, etc.) are making Good money and working all the time.
who needs college!