HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	137
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE CREATION OF A VIRTUAL CENTER FOR WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the number of women graduating with degrees in computer science has decreased nationwide from thirty-seven per cent in 1985 to eighteen per cent in 2015; and

 

WHEREAS, women currently comprise only twenty-four per cent of the computing workforce; and

 

WHEREAS, there are fewer advanced placement exams taken in computer science than in any other science, technology, engineering and math subject area; and

 

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, only thirty-three per cent of advanced placement computer science exam takers were female; and

 

     WHEREAS, increasing the number of women earning degrees in computer science will promote a well-trained and competent workforce in the State and will provide women with the opportunity to enter this growing job market and improve their quality of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, institutions of higher learning that have made the effort to market and tailor courses in computer science to women have seen an increase in women enrolled in these degree programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, a Virtual Center for Women in Technology at the University of Hawaii, designed to provide a supportive computer science learning environment for women, should increase the number of women participating in the computer science field; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, that the University of Hawaii is urged to establish a Virtual Center for Women in Technology; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, once established by the University of Hawaii, the Virtual Center for Women in Technology is urged to:

 

(1)  Advise and assist in the development of marketing and outreach to build interest in its computer science program among women;

 

(2)  Review current curriculum and adopt teaching methods that are female friendly and guard against gender-based stereotypes;

 

(3)  Set measurable goals to increase the number of women enrolled in the department of information and computer sciences and to build interest in the field among current and future female students;

 

(4)  Coordinate programs with middle and high schools such as mentoring, summer workshops, after-school courses, and similar programs in computer science; and

 

(5)  Serve as the clearinghouse for matters involving women in computer science in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Virtual Center for Women in Technology be administered by a director appointed by, and responsible to, the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all appropriate state agencies, upon request of the Virtual Center for Women in Technology, are requested to provide their full cooperation in the use of staff members, facilities, and other resources necessary to establish and support the center; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this measure be transmitted to the Chairperson of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents and the President of the University of Hawaii.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

UH; Virtual Center for Women in Technology; Computer Science; Education