University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (UHWO) is a public university in Kapolei, Hawaii. It is one of ten campuses 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 Western Association of Schools and Colleges.[5] In 2007 the school added first- and second-year subjects, becoming a four-year university.[6]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
TypePublic, co-ed state university
Established1976
ChancellorMaenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham[1]
PresidentDavid Lassner[2]
Academic staff
123[3]
Students2,944 (Spring 2018)[4]
Location
Kapolei
,
Hawaii
,
United States

21.3552°N 158.0564°W / 21.3552; -158.0564
Campussuburban
ColorsRed and Black    
AffiliationsWASC
UH System
MascotPueo (owl)
Websiteuhwo.hawaii.edu
Aerial view of the East Kapolei campus in 2013
Campus in 2015

UHWO is the US' fastest-growing public baccalaureate school. It has one of the most diverse student populations among four-year public institutions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.[7][8] It is the newest campus in the UH,[9] It was established in part to provide access to higher education in Leeward Oʻahu.[10]

The university offers undergraduate education. It enrolled 3,182 students in fall 2018, many from Leeward Oʻahu.[11][12] UHWO also reaches students around the state with its Distance Learning program. About 10 percent of UH West Oʻahu’s enrollment list another island as their permanent address.[13][14][15]

UHWO has the highest percentage of distance and online courses and programs and the highest percentage of part-time students in UH.[16] UH West Oʻahu supports the study of Hawaiian language, history and culture.[17] The student:faculty ratio is 24:1.[18] Tuition is among the lowest in the nation.[19]

History

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.[20]

In 1966 the UH Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus.[21] In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West Oʻahu College.[22] Kosaki proposed a new campus to serve the growing population in Leeward Oʻahu, where college attendance lagged other areas on the island.[23]

Opponents held that another campus was not needed and would take resources from other campuses.[24]

The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975.[25] It opened in January 1976 with 75 students attending classes held at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools.[26] It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi,[27] offering day and evening classes.[28] The institution gained WASC accreditation in February 1981 and moved adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City.[29] It began outreach programs in 1981 and 1983 sending faculty to Kauaʻi and Maui to teach classes on weekends.[30]

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.[31] It began planning to become a four-year institution.[32] UH West Oʻahu added lower-division curricula in 2007, and in 2012 moved to a newly built campus in Kapolei.[33]

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.[34][35]

Academics

UH 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.[36] UHWO 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.[37]

Distance learning

UHWO 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.[38]

UH System Community College students on Neighbor Islands can pursue online four-year degrees and certificates at UHWO.[39] Classes may also be delivered through interactive television and in person.[39] Three degrees and 12 concentrations are available.[39]

Campus

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.[40]

Clubs and organizations

Accounting Club

UH 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.[41]

Student National Education Association

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.[42]

Associated Students of University of Hawai'i, West Oahu

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.[43]

Athletics

UHWO 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. [44]

Chancellors
  • Maenette K.P. Benham 2017–present[45]
  • Rockne C. Freitas 2013-2016[46]

References
  1. UH West Oʻahu Chancellor's Office webpage/
  2. "Office of the President :: University of Hawaii System". www.hawaii.edu.
  3. "General Catalog".
  4. "University of Hawaii System | 10 campuses across the Hawaiian Islands".
  5. "Accreditation is coming soon". westoahu.hawaii.edu.
  6. "Midweek.com West Coverstory - April 4, 2007".
  7. "Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2005-15". Chronicle of Higher Education. August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  8. "Colleges with the Greatest Racial and Ethnic Diversity". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  9. "The University of Hawaii at Hilo". Wikipedia. See infobox - Established. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  10. Edward Kormondy. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The First Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  11. "Enrollment (Census)". University of Hawaii System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  12. "Quick Enrollment Facts Dashboard". University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Bottom left corner. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  13. "Reaching across the water: UH West Oʻahu students graduate on neighbor Islands". University of Hawaii News. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  14. "2018-2019 Statistical Quick Reference Guide" (PDF). University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  15. "Reaching across the water: UH West Oʻahu students graduate on the neighbor islands". 5th paragraph: University of Hawaii-West Oahu. June 4, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.CS1 maint: location (link)
  16. "Integrated Academic and Facilities Plan for the University of Hawaii System" (PDF). Hawaii.edu. April 20, 2017. pp. 8, last paragraph. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  17. "Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao". University of Hawaii. Paragraphs 1 and 2. Retrieved July 24, 2019.CS1 maint: location (link)
  18. "UH West Oahu: At a Glance | University of Hawaii System".
  19. "University Of Hawaii West Oahu, Hawaii". citytowninfo.com.
  20. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. first paragraph: University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  21. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. xv. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  22. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. 5th, 6th paragraphs: University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.CS1 maint: location (link)
  23. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. 3rd, 4th paragraphs: University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.CS1 maint: location (link)
  24. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. 6, 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  25. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. xvi. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  26. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. 12, xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  27. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  28. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  29. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  30. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  31. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  32. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. pp. xviii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
  33. "Campus Insights". University of Hawaii-West Oahu Strategic Action Plan. 1st paragraph. Retrieved July 25, 2019.CS1 maint: location (link)
  34. "UH West Oʻahu's Administration and Health Science building celebrated, showcased". E Kamakani Hou. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  35. "Construction on Creative Media facility begins as dignitaries gather for groundbreaking". E Kamakani Hou. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  36. "Course Registration Report" (PDF). UH System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. p. 34. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  37. "Certificates". University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  38. "University of Hawai'i – West O'ahu Peer Institution Revision 2019" (PDF). University of Hawaii West Oahu Institutional Research. p. 27. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  39. "UH West Oahu General Catalog". 2019–2020: 136. Retrieved July 16, 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  40. ""A tour of UH West Oahu lands"". University of Hawaii News. September 30, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  41. "Home | Accounting Club at UHWO". acctclubatuhwo. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  42. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Education Club, https://www.sneauhwo.org/about-us, retrieved on 12 April 2018.
  43. "The Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu". The Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  44. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Intramural Sports, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/im/about-us/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
  45. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Chancellor's Office, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/about-us/chancellors-office/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
  46. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog (Kapolei, HI: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, 2015-2016), 5.
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