HI HR49

Requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit identifying current and former students who have accumulated enough credits to qualify for an associate degree but were never awarded one

Targets two specific student populations: those who transferred from a community college to a four-year campus before completing an associate degree, and those who started at a four-year campus and accumulated sufficient credits before stopping out or withdrawing

Asks the Board of Regents to develop recommendations for establishing or expanding pathways to award earned associate degrees, including reverse transfer mechanisms, degree audit processes, and consideration of residency requirements and accreditation issues

Requires submission of the audit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027