The Senate Committee on Higher Education on April 17 recommended passage of HCR 96, a resolution encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand mental health services for students.

The resolution was discussed during the committee's 2 p.m. meeting in Conference Room 2-5 and received testimony from Sarah Marie Gomes, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for the University of Hawaii System. Gomes said student mental health services are administered across the system's 10 campuses and overlap with basic-needs efforts aimed at supporting student success. "Mental health services falls under this division," Gomes told the committee, adding she submitted written testimony and was available to answer questions.

Committee members pressed university officials on staffing and funding. "We're very much aware that a lot of this will depend upon the funding of these positions," Senator Kim (chair) said during the exchange, noting that expanding services requires both budgeted positions and the ability to recruit qualified clinicians. Gomes told the committee that, at the last count, the system had 27 mental-health positions budgeted, of which 21 were filled and six were vacant; the longest current vacancy dates to roughly four years ago.

Committee members discussed whether the resolution should emphasize filling existing vacancies as well as expanding services. After discussion, the committee moved to decision making and voted to recommend HCR 96 as unamended. The committee chair and vice chair voted yes; senators present recorded as voting in favor. The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the full Senate for final consideration.

The resolution does not appropriate funding; committee members repeatedly noted that the university's ability to expand services will depend on positions and funding that must come through separate budgetary processes. The committee did not direct staff to prepare specific funding language during the hearing.

The committee adjourned its consideration of HCR 96 and proceeded to the remainder of its agenda. The resolution and the committee recommendation will appear on the Senate calendar for further action.