Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2005 — UH Faculty Senate approves master's degree programs in Hawaiian studies, language [ARTICLE]

UH Faculty Senate approves master's degree programs in Hawaiian studies, language

By Derek Ferrar The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Faculty Senate has approved master's degree programs in both Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language. If the programs are given final approval by the university's Board of Regents this month, as expected, students should be able to begin taking master's-level classes this coming fall. Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies Director Jon Osorio said his department has been working toward offering a master's degree for more than five years. "It's been a very long process," he said, "and it's wonderful to see the program clear this hurdle." The Senate's approval eame after several committees thoroughly reviewed both programs' curricula and gave them high marks. Hawaiian Language Program Coordinator Leilani Basham said that the master's programs, if approved, will provide a foundation for Hawaiian scholars. "He mea maika'i maoli nō ia no ka lāhui no kēia hanauna nei me nā hanauna o kēia mua aku," she said. (This is a truly good thingfor Hawaiiam ofthis generation anā heyond. ) Osorio said he is hopeful that final approval will be taken up by the Board of Regents at their meeting at Windward Community College on April. 7, and that there is every reason to expect that the regents will approve the programs. "It would be quite unusual for the Board of Regents to put further See UH MASTER'S on page 22

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scrutiny into an academic program that has been so highly endorsed by the Faculty Senate." Osorio said that as soon as the regents approve the program, his department will begin accepting students immediately, with classes to begin in the fall - although students may at first have to attend with unclassified status. Basham said that while there are three approved Hawaiian language master's-level courses that may be offered in the fall under an unclassified status, the program itself may not accept students until the spring. To find out more about the Hawaiian studies master's program, eall 9730989. To get information about the Hawaiian language program, eall 956-8672.