Governance of BYU–Hawaii
1. Purpose
BYU–Hawaii ("university') is an institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Church"). It is governed and administered pursuant to the principles of Church government for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the guidelines provided by the Commissioner of Education and the Church Education System (CES).
- The Administrative aim of BYU–Hawaii is to operate in the spirit of the Gospel, which is love and unity rather than contention and controversy, as explained by the Savior in 3 Nephi 11:28-30.
- The Apostle Paul gave voice to the same aim in urging the saints “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
- Emphasis at BYU–Hawaii is on the integration of secular knowledge with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, fundamentals of spiritual and secular knowledge are to be taught so as to be brought into harmony in the lives of men and women in order to prepare them for balanced and full lives of service to God and fellow human beings. Teachers are expected to teach differing viewpoints about secular knowledge, but this should be done in the spirit of the Gospel, without advocacy of any principle or standard inconsistent with the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- The university operates under the direction of the Board of Trustees ("board"), which currently consists of the First Presidency, three Apostles, one of the presidents of the Seventy and the presidents of the Relief Society and the Young Women’s auxiliaries. Certain responsibilities of the board are delegated to the Executive Committee, composed of four members of the board. The board has the ultimate responsibility for the university, with a special emphasis on programs, budgets, and those who will be teaching students.
- The president of the university reports to the Commissioner of Education on operating issues.
- Fundamental to the governance of the university is working in councils. While individuals have their own stewardships, coordination and governance rely heavily on counseling with one another and then sustaining and supporting each individual in his/her stewardship.
- In the governance of the university, all actions are taken with the intent of blessing the lives of students and fulfilling the mission of the university. And governance is carried out in the same spirit that was followed by the Savior in organizing and governing in the Church, His kingdom here on earth.