Three groups join forces on student issues

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

One unified voice is stronger than three.

That's the thinking behind the announcement yesterday that three of the largest student advocacy groups in the state were uniting under one umbrella organization named Students First.

Andrew Ogata, executive director of Students First, an organization billed as a "collaborative partnership" among the Hawai'i State Student Council, the Hawai'i Secondary Student Conference and the University of Hawai'i Student Caucus, said the idea started at the Legislature.

Members of the three founding groups consistently ran into one another at the state Capitol, said Ogata, who discovered that the groups had similar concerns, such as student safety, governance, the quality of facilities and the availability of resources.

"All voices together make us stronger," he said.

Ogata said one of the first things the group would do is address the pay dispute between UH faculty and the university.

On Saturday, the UH Professional Assembly said it would hold a strike authorization vote at all campuses next month. The board of directors of the UHPA was set to issue a 10-day strike notice today with the state Labor Relations Board.

Wages are the major issue.

"It is a very serious issue that is coming up soon. We believe in our teachers, and I'm hoping we can organize and support them," said Suzanne Aguiar, a Kaua'i Community College student and Students First member.

Kris Kaupalolo, a spokes-man for the UH Student Caucus, said the 13-day strike by the faculty in 2001 stressedout UH students.

He said many of them, especially graduating seniors, were worried about losing all of their credit money and not being able to graduate on time.

"If there is another strike, how does it affect our education?" he said. "As students, we're very concerned."

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.