Advising Center

Kaiāulu & STAR Balance Campaigns

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Kaiāulu

One of the many Hawaiian definitions of Kaiāulu is “community”, and UH Hilo, as a community of learners, is committed to supporting our students to and through graduation. Kaiāulu is UH Hilo’s academic referral program that aims to improve academic success by initiating timely communication and outreach. The program is administered through the campaign feature in the University of Hawaiʻi’s STAR Balance program.

Students sitting in front of the Admissions Office.

Campaigns

  • Student Populations: First-year frosh and/or student athletes
  • Campaign Dates:
    • Fall Semester: October 1 through Tuesday prior to drop with "W" deadline;
    • Spring Semester: March 1 through Tuesday prior to drop with "W" deadline

Academic Success Feedback Requested

Note that Kaiāulu is being used to collect academic success feedback. The Care Team reporting form should be used if you have concerns about a student’s behavior, physical, and/or emotional state that may:

  • Present safety issues for the student or others; or
  • Hinder the student’s ability to meet expected standards of conduct or achieve academic requirements; or
  • Be evidence of severe emotional distress

You will be asked to provide feedback on student grades, attendance, at-risk status, among other factors that impact student success. You will also be able to share kudos for students who are doing well. A screenshot of the feedback request form is included below, with additional details on what is being requested.

Screenshot of Kaiaulu feedback form, for a hypothetical instructor Robert Write. Example feedback from a student Peter Pan is displayed, with options for pre-written feedback

All feedback provided through the campaign will be communicated directly to the student and assigned academic advisor. You are able to communicate the following information:

  • Attends Regularly: Respond "No" for students whose absences have negatively impacted their course grade.
  • Kudos: Share positive feedback for students who are doing well.
  • Academic Planning/Performance: For students about whom you have academic concerns.
  • Recommend Withdrawal: For students who, based upon their performance in your class, you are encouraging to withdraw.
  • At Risk? For students who are at-risk of failing your course.

Additionally, you will be able to provide comments to students, including referrals to campus resources, like tutoring and advising. Please refrain from including comments that may be construed as subjectively inflammatory and/or inappropriate. If you need assistance with wording sensitive feedback, please reach out to the Advising Center.

How to Provide Feedback

You will receive an email from Hilo Academic Progress Reports (kaiaulu@hawaii.edu) with a STAR Balance header. This email will include the link to access the feedback form for your students. Please do not delete this message, as this link is the only way to access the form. Note that the email kaiaulu@hawaii.edu is not being actively monitored.

Screenshot of campaign email message from the UH Hilo Academic Referral Program at the University of Hawaii, specifically associated with the "STAR Balance" system. The email is directed to an instructor and provides instructions for referring students in their classes to specific support services. Major sections include: Greeting, Referral Instructions, Kudos for Students, Information Sharing, Submission Deadline, Call to Action, Support Statement. The email concludes by reassuring that student support staff are available to help both the instructor and their students, emphasizing the goal of aiding students on their educational journey. The overall tone is supportive, aiming to encourage instructors to proactively assist students by referring them to appropriate resources or acknowledging their successes.

After You Submit

We encourage all faculty to reach out to their at-risk student(s) before completing the feedback form. Once the form is submitted, the information you provided will be shared with your student and their assigned academic advisor.

Academic advisors will reach out to students who have been indicated to be at-risk, for whom withdrawal is recommended, and those with low grades. Outreach to students may be done via email and/or phone. When an advisor connects with a student, they will discuss your feedback, relevant resources, and options. Depending on the student's situation, they may be referred back to you for further discussion on their academic performance and options for your course.