Accreditor Faults U. of Hawaii at Hilo's Native-Language Program

[Harold F. Schiffman]

July 30, 2008

Accreditor Faults U. of Hawaii at Hilo's Native-Language Program

The University of Hawaii at Hilo has been put on notice by its accreditor,
which has threatened to impose sanctions if the university doesnt shape up
its Hawaiian-language doctoral program and make other changes, the Hawaii
Tribune-Herald, a local newspaper, reported. The Ph.D. program, created in
2006, was the countrys first doctoral program in indigenous-language
studies.

In a letter dated June 30, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
found fault with the programs lack of a published curriculum, insufficient
faculty members, and potentially problematic practice of appointing four
of the five doctoral students in the program as professors within the
College of Hawaiian Language.

Kalena Silva, the colleges director, told the newspaper that with such a
new and unique program, a few hitches were to be expected, but that the
university already had plans to publish its degree requirements and hire
three additional faculty members. Were not surprised WASC would raise some
of these concerns, perhaps not considering that the program is new and the
field is new, said Mr. Silva.

The accrediting agency said that the college needed to clarify its
oversight structure immediately and that an accrediting team would visit
in the fall of 2009 to make sure the university had made good on that
effort. Paula Wasley

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