UHHSA Committees

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The UHHSA committees are designed to help address and resolve specific issues of interest at UH Hilo. Standing Committees are permanent committees specializing in the consideration of particular subject areas of interest that the senate deems important based on student input. Ad-Hoc Committees are created throughout the year for a specific purpose, case, or situation at hand.

Tabling for UHHSA Sustainability Committee event in CC Plaza

Committee Guidelines & Chairs

Executive Committee

Section Leader: President Chelbi Espiritu
uhhsaprz@hawaii.edu

This committee shall be comprised of the Executive board members, review items to be added to the Senate agenda, and oversee all personnel and/or litigation issues.

Student Voice

Section Leader: President Chelbi Espiritu
uhhsaprz@hawaii.edu

Board of Regents (BOR)

Vacant

This committee shall consist of two senators who will attend monthly Board of Regents meetings. Their role is to maintain a student presence, establish connections with other participants at the monthly meeting, while observing and furthering UHHSA's knowledge on the policies and systematic processes that may affect UH Hilo.

University of Hawaiʻi Student Caucus (UHSC)

President Chelbi Espiritu
uhhsaprz@hawaii.edu

This committee shall represent students by monitoring system level issues, hosting caucus meetings held at UH Hilo, and represent UHHSA at caucus meetings.

Legislature

Senator At Large Ian Scarth
uhhsa7@hawaii.edu

This committee shall research and advocate for the student body at all levels of governance and work towards representing UHHSA in a professional and recognizable manner.

Campus Engagement

Vacant

Public Relations

Vacant

This committee shall monitor all UHHSA bulletin boards, assist UHHSA-sponsored RISOs in public relations, spread awareness of UHHSA affairs, enforce promotion of UHHSA sponsored activities, and manage a calendar of events. The chair of this committee shall serve as alternate Spokesperson for UHHSA in the absence of the President.

Events

Vice President Ryan Goforth
uhhsavp@hawaii.edu

This committee shall be in charge of hosting various UHHSA sponsored events on a monthly basis. Events include, but are not limited to Hoʻolauleʻa, Oh Hell Week, and Flow.

Elections

Vacant

This committee shall be responsible for facilitating all aspects of the UHHSA elections which take place every year during the Spring semester.

Responsibilities include:

  • promoting UHHSA throughout the entire year in order to ensure candidate transparency for each of UHHSA’s senate positions;
  • for filling any open positions on the UHHSA senate as they become vacant throughout the year.
  • The chairperson of this committee shall be known as the Chief Elections Officer.
    • Upon accepting the role of Chief Elections Officer, this student is not eligible for candidacy in the UHHSA election they are responsible for facilitating.

Student Life

Section Leader: Vacant

Sustainability

Vacant

This committee shall accelerate the university's ability to provide for the needs of its current and future members without compromising the long term health and vitality of our biosphere and society. The committee’s projects will focus on making tangible and quantifiable changes within the university and community that will further advance its mission. An underlying goal of the committee is to advocate for and obtain a substantial investment by the university to institutionalize the mission in the form of a funded UH Hilo Office of Sustainability.

Hilo Ambassador

Vacant

This committee shall provide funding for UH Hilo students to gain exposure of Hilo as representatives of UH Hilo. Inform faculty of different possibilities for students. Select individual students for opportunities, expand the ambassador program, and move towards separating the committee from UHHSA.

Registered Independent Student Organizations (RISO) Funding

CoBE Senator Justin Neal
uhhsa3@hawaii.edu

This committee shall coordinate and extend UHHSA Senate services and programs to RISO’s;, and correspond with RISO’s regarding funding rules, guidelines, activities and UHHSA Senate updates. This committee shall assist fellow senators in preparation and submission of resolutions, bills, or other legislation related to the operation of the UHHSA Senate.

For Registered Independent Student Organizations:

Ad-Hoc Committees

UHHSA Ad-Hoc Committees are created out of Resolutions that have been been approved by the Senate and must also have completed a petiton of support with the required UHHSA Member signiatuers. Ad-Hoc Committees havea clear and distinct goal and are active for up to 1 academic year with a minimum membership of a Chairperson and Co-Chaorperson.

DKICP Student Community and Wellbeing
DKICP Senator Gemmy Alegre
uhhsa4@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:001

The committees charge shall be to engage and advocate for the needs of DKICP students by fostering a strong sense of community and belonging and create inclusive and vibrant activities where students, faculty, and staff can connect, collaborate, and thrive together. This ad–hoc committee shall also promote a welcoming environment, ensure students feel like a part of campus life, build lasting relationships and a supportive campus culture, and enhance students’ educational experiences and their overall holistic wellbeing.

Initative(s):

  • Establish Health Screening Events
  • Engagement & Empowerment Events
  • Wellness Week: Thrive & Survice
  • Essential Access: Menstrual Support

Basic Needs
President Chelbi Sirach Espiritu
uhhsaprz@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:002

The committees charge shall be to focus on basic needs initiatives aimed to enhance the educational experiences and overall well-being of every UH Hilo student.

Initative(s):

  • Hale Lako

CNHS Mental Health and Wellbeing
CNHS Senator Kendall Binder
uhhsa11@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:003

The committees charge shall be to engage and advocate for the needs of CNHS students by fostering a strong sense of community and belonging and create inclusive and vibrant activities where students, faculty, and staff can connect, collaborate, and thrive together. This ad–hoc committee shall promote a welcome environment, ensure students feel a part of campus life, build lasting relationships and a supportive campus culture, and enhance students’ educational experiences and their overall holistic wellbeing.

Initiative(s):

  • Mental Health Surveys
  • Mental Health Evetns

Food Insecurity
Senator-At-Large Ian Scarth
uhhsa7@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:004

The committee is resolved to temporarily provide opportunities through events and other methods of distribution to provide food boxes during the most difficult and stressful times during the semester allowing students to more easily focus on their academics and not have to worry about preparing balanced meals.

Initiative(s):

  • Food Box Distribution
  • Community Engagement Events

Holistic Student Wellbeing
Senator-At-Large Nikki VO
uhhsa9@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:005

The committee whose focus will be to engage with and advocate for the holistic needs of the entire UH Hilo Student body by hosting engaging events that connect students to resources that will benefit mental and physical well being.. This ad–hoc committee will encourage students to open the conversation regarding all aspects of health through the promotion of resources made available to.

Initative(s):

  • Mental & Physical Health Screenings
  • Inforatiuonal Events

Student Nightlife
Senator-At-Large Benjamin "Ben" Rudo
uhhsa8@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:006

The committee whose objective is to work toward engaging with and advocating for the needs of all UH Hilo students by creating environments to encourage student engagement on campus. In an effort to build a sense of community, foster a feeling of belonging and spirit of collaboration is a safe and welcoming environment, by hosting inclusive and vibrant activities where student can thrive together, be included in campus life, improve their educational wellbeing, and create lasting long term relationships.

Initative(s):

  • Expand Exisiting Study Areas for Late Night Usage
  • Stock Existing Study Areas with Refreshments
  • Survey Student Body
  • Host Multiple Night Time Events

Ka āina: Cultural and Environmental Education
Senator-At-Large Mercy Gilniy
uhhsa10@hawaii.edu
UHHSA Senate Resolution 24-25:007

The committees goal is to educate students about the true cultural and environmental significance of Hawaii, particularly the Big Island, ensuring they gain a deep respect for the land and its people by challenging their initial impressions and providing them with authentic knowledge.

Initiative(s):

  • Cultural & Historical Lectures
  • Cultural & Historical Workshops
  • Cultural & Historical Field Trips

Additional Committees

UHHSA Senators also represent students on the following Campus Committees: