American Samoa CC & UH Hilo Political Science

Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the American Samoa Community College

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UH Hilo), and the American Samoan Community College (ASCC) (collectively, the “Parties”) agree to cooperate on Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with an Political Science emphasis, based on the principle of reciprocity.

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) serves to clarify expectations of each campus to facilitate the successful transfer of students in the Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Arts with an Political Science emphasis at ASCC to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science at UH Hilo. The goals of this partnership are to: (1) use resources at both institutions more efficiently and effectively to focus on transfer issues; (2) establish shared program responsibilities for student recruitment, academic advising and support to make the process of moving from one campus to the next as seamless as possible; and (3) expand student options for college success and curriculum by expanding on-campus services from ASCC and UH Hilo.

1. Students who graduate from ASCC with the articulated AA degree in Liberal Arts will be covered under the terms of this agreement. ASCC students transferring to UH Hilo without graduating with the articulated AA degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Political Science may be required to complete additional coursework for the BA degree at UH Hilo.
2. Requirements for the AA degree and BA degree are provided below (appendices I-IV). These documents form the basis of this agreement; subsequent changes to the curricular requirements of either program may require revisions to this agreement. Changes in elective courses are not considered modifications.
3. Under the terms of this MOU, UH Hilo will do the following:
   • a. Identify a UH Hilo faculty member(s) who will serve as the faculty advisor to students in the Political Science program.
4. Under the terms of this MOU, ASCC will do the following:
   • a. Identify a student services advisor at ASCC who will partner with a UH Hilo advisor to ensure timely and accurate advising information on pre-admission, admission, degree requirements, and related matters.
   • b. Identify (an) ASCC Political Science faculty member(s) who will serve as the faculty advisor to students in the Liberal Arts program and consult with UH Hilo admissions and advising personnel when necessary.
5. Under the terms of this MOU, both Parties will do the following:
   • a. Representatives from ASCC’s Political Science department within the AA program, and UH Hilo’s Political Science BA program should meet annually to discuss the program and any potential or planned curricular changes.
   • b. Make efforts to find financial sources for carrying out the agreed to activities on each campus.
   • c. Inform the other Party in a timely manner of identified advisors at the beginning of each Academic Year, and communicate any curriculum or other pertinent types of changes to advisors during the course of the Academic Year.
   • d. Inform the other Party in a timely manner of changes in campus, Department, or Program leadership and point of contact.
6. Nothing shall diminish the full autonomy of either institution, nor will any constraints or financial obligations be imposed by either upon the other in carrying out the MOU.
7. This MOU is in effect for five years and is subject to revision or modification by mutual written agreement. It is also understood that either institution may terminate the MOU at any time by giving written notice at least 6 (six) months in advance to the other Party to minimize impact on students completing their degrees. This MOU shall take effect from the date of the latest signature below.
8. Any notice or request given or made by one Party to the other under this MOU shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the appropriate office as is designated in writing hereinafter:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this MOU to be executed by their duly authorized representatives. Each Party shall hold one original signed MOU, with both documents being equally authentic.

For The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this MOU to be executed by their duly authorized representatives. Each Party shall hold one original signed MOU, with both documents being equally authentic.

For The American Samoa Community College

Rosevonne Pato

ASCC President
Date:_________
Signed 02/15/2023

American Samoa Community College and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo 2+2 Map for 2023-2024 Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Political Science to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science

This is a sample academic plan for students entering on the 2023-2024 catalog. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan. Please see the UH Hilo Catalog for more course information.

Notes

1.ASCC: POL 250= POLS 251 (Comparative Politics), POL 251= POLS 242 (International Relations). Depending on what course was taken at ASCC, students should choose courses accordingly to make sure that both the Comparative Politics and International Relations requirement are met.