University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

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Public university in Kapolei, Hawaii, US

Aerial view of the East Kapolei campus in 2013

The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (UHWO) is a public college in Kapolei, Hawaii. It is part of the University of Hawaiʻi system. It offers baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts and professional studies. UHWO opened in January 1976 and since 1981 has been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission or its predecessor.[7] In 2007, the school added first- and second-year subjects, becoming a four-year college.[8]

UHWO is the US’ fastest-growing public baccalaureate college. It has one of the most diverse student populations among four-year public institutions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.[9][10] It is the newest campus in the University of Hawaiʻi,[11][circular reference] It was established in part to provide access to higher education in Leeward Oʻahu.[12]

The college offers undergraduate education. It enrolled 3,182 students in fall 2018, many from Leeward Oʻahu.[13][14] UHWO also reaches students around the state with its Distance Learning program. About 10 percent of University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s enrollment list another island as their permanent address.[15][16][17]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu has the highest percentage of distance and online courses and programs and the highest percentage of part-time students in University of Hawaiʻi.[18] University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu supports the study of Hawaiian language, history and culture.[19] The student:faculty ratio is 24:1.[20] Tuition is among the lowest in the nation.[21]

History[edit]

The idea for opening a second UH campus on Oʻahu formed in the mid-1960s over concern that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa could not accommodate everyone.[22]

In 1966 the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus.[23] In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West Oʻahu College.[24] Kosaki proposed a new campus to serve the growing population in Leeward Oʻahu, where college attendance lagged other areas on the island.[25]

Opponents held that another campus was not needed and would take resources from other campuses.[26]

The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975.[27] It opened in January 1976 with 75 students attending classes held at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools.[28] It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi,[29] offering day and evening classes.[30] The institution gained WASC accreditation in February 1981 and moved adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City.[31] It began outreach programs in 1981 and 1983 sending faculty to Kauaʻi and Maui to teach classes on weekends.[32]

In 1989 the school’s name changed to the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu to better identify it as part of the University of Hawaiʻi System.[33] It began planning to become a four-year institution.[34] University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu added lower-division curricula in 2007, and in 2012 moved to a newly built campus in Kapolei.[35]

An Administration and Health Science building was added in 2018, and construction on a building for the Academy for Creative Media began in January 2019.[36][37]

Academics[edit]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu has degree programs and concentrations that emphasize liberal arts and practical applications, including creative media, cybersecurity, facilities management, and sustainable community food systems. Students choose among eight degree offerings with more than 40 concentrations. The average class size in Fall 2018 was 20 students.[38] University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu also offers the following eight certificates: Applied Forensic Anthropology, Asian Studies, Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management, Gender Studies, Health Care Administration, Music, Risk Management & Insurance, and Substance Abuse & Addictions Studies.[39]

Distance learning[edit]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu offers in-person and online classes. Twenty-nine percent of students were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses in Fall 2017; 38 percent took at least one such course.[40]

University of Hawaiʻi System Community College students on Neighbor Islands can pursue online four-year degrees and certificates at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu.[41] Classes may also be delivered through interactive television and in person.[41] Three degrees and 12 concentrations are available.[41]

The campus is located on 500 acres of former sugarcane land. The campus’ property includes a separate 991-acre parcel located above the H-1 Freeway.[42]

Clubs and organizations[edit]

Accounting Club[edit]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu offers an accounting club. The club was created in 2000 to network students with professionals and prepare their skills for the accounting industry.[43]

Student National Education Association[edit]

The Student National Education Association (SNEA), also known as Education Club, helps students to improve and expand their knowledge of the teaching profession. SNEA provides an opportunity for future teachers to connect with local teachers and participate in the national student leadership conference.[44]

Associated Students of University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu[edit]

The Associated Students of University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (ASUHWO) is an organization of the student body government committee that helps support student groups and organizes school functions and funding. ASUHWO has committee officers such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and other Senators from each class division.[45]

Athletics[edit]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu features an intramural sports program. The program is available to all enrolled students. The program includes of five sports including: flag football, volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. The school’s mascot is the pueo, an owl native to Hawaii.[46]

Chancellors[edit]

  • Maenette K.P. Benham 2017–present[47]
  • Rockne C. Freitas 2013-2016[48]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Otsubo Monument Works Archived 2020-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, DLNR, page 85
  2. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report).
  3. ^ UH West Oʻahu Chancellor’s Office webpage/
  4. ^ “Office of the President :: University of Hawaii System”. www.hawaii.edu.
  5. ^ “General Catalog”.
  6. ^ “University of Hawaii System | 10 campuses across the Hawaiian Islands”.
  7. ^ “Accreditation is coming soon”. westoahu.hawaii.edu.
  8. ^ “Midweek.com West Coverstory – April 4, 2007”.
  9. ^ “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2005-15”. Chronicle of Higher Education. August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  10. ^ “Colleges with the Greatest Racial and Ethnic Diversity”. Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  11. ^ “The University of Hawaii at Hilo”. Wikipedia. See infobox – Established. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  12. ^ Edward Kormondy (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The First Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  13. ^ “Enrollment (Census)”. University of Hawaii System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  14. ^ “Quick Enrollment Facts Dashboard”. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Bottom left corner. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  15. ^ “Reaching across the water: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu students graduate on neighbor Islands”. University of Hawaii News. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  16. ^ “2018-2019 Statistical Quick Reference Guide” (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  17. ^ “Reaching across the water: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu students graduate on the neighbor islands”. 5th paragraph: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. June 4, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  18. ^ “Integrated Academic and Facilities Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi System” (PDF). Hawaii.edu. April 20, 2017. pp. 8, last paragraph. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  19. ^ “Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao”. University of Hawaii. Paragraphs 1 and 2. Retrieved July 24, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  20. ^ “UH West Oahu: At a Glance | University of Hawaii System”.
  21. ^ “University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, Hawaii”. citytowninfo.com.
  22. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. first paragraph: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  23. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. xv. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  24. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. 5th, 6th paragraphs: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  25. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. 3rd, 4th paragraphs: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  26. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. 6, 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  27. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. xvi. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  28. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. 12, xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  29. ^ Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  30. ^ Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  31. ^ Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  32. ^ Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  33. ^ Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  34. ^ Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xviii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  35. ^ “Campus Insights”. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Strategic Action Plan. 1st paragraph. Retrieved July 25, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  36. ^ “University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s Administration and Health Science building celebrated, showcased”. E Kamakani Hou. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  37. ^ “Construction on Creative Media facility begins as dignitaries gather for groundbreaking”. E Kamakani Hou. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  38. ^ “Course Registration Report” (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. p. 34. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  39. ^ “Certificates”. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  40. ^ “University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Peer Institution Revision 2019” (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Institutional Research. p. 27. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  41. ^ a b c “University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog”. 2019–2020: 136. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  42. ^ ““A tour of UH West Oahu lands”“. University of Hawaii News. September 30, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  43. ^ “Home | Accounting Club at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu”. acctclubatuhwo. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  44. ^ University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Education Club, https://www.sneauhwo.org/about-us, retrieved on 12 April 2018.
  45. ^ “The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu”. The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  46. ^ University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Intramural Sports, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/im/about-us/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
  47. ^ University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Chancellor’s Office, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/about-us/chancellors-office/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
  48. ^ University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog (Kapolei, Hawaii: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, 2015-2016), page 5.

External links[edit]