Author: Gayle Hamasaki

Problem with Payments – Update

Yesterday, May 6, 2019, we encountered a system error which affected our check printing and end of business day processing. The issue has been resolved and the Financial Portal is back in operation. Online purchasing and payment transactions can now be approved.

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and thank you for your understanding.

Problem with Payments

We encountered a system error on May 6, 2019 afternoon and consequently checks could not be printed. We are working to resolve the issue, and we will post a message when the Financial Portal is back in operation. Until the problem is resolved, purchasing and payment transactions cannot be approved at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Thank you.

Fiscal Year-End June 30, 2019

Important Dates:

June 28 Last Check Run for FY 2019 (Payments must be approved by 12 noon)
July 3 RCUH Financial System scheduled to reopen
July 3 First Check Run for FY 2020 (4:00 PM)

Online payment and purchasing transactions must be approved by Fiscal Administrators by 12:00 noon on Friday, June 28, to be included in FY 2019. The last check run for the fiscal year will be on Friday, June 28, 2019. Pending transactions will be saved and will not be automatically deleted or disapproved in the RCUH financial system.

During the period June 29 through July 2, online payment and purchasing transactions can be initiated, but Fiscal Administrators will not have the ability to approve transactions. Transactions will not be posted to project accounts until the financial system is reopened for FY 2020. The RCUH financial system is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, July 3. The first check run for FY 2020 is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, at 4:00 PM.

On an emergency basis only, manual checks can be issued during this period. Fiscal Administrators should contact RCUH Disbursing at [email protected].

Project reports will be accessible on the RCUH website. However, report balances will only reflect transactions posted through June 28 until processing resumes on July 3.

Please contact Maile Brooks at 988-8340 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Relocation of the RCUH Procurement & Disbursing Office

The RCUH Procurement & Disbursing office will be relocating from Burns Hall to the Manoa Innovation Center (MIC), Suite 201 on April 29 and 30, 2019. During the relocation, staff will be limited in their ability to service projects, and phone and fax communication will be unavailable. The best way to contact the Procurement & Disbursing office will be via email. Staff will do their best to respond to you as soon as possible. The Procurement & Disbursing office will resume normal operations on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Mail delivery/pick up will still be available at Burns Hall and will be handled by the RCUH Human Resources Department. The mail cart and drop off boxes will be located under the RCUH sign (just a few feet from its current location). Mail for the MIC staff is picked up daily at 9:00 a.m.

RCUH will continue to offer notary services, however, service will be at our MIC location only.

All Procurement & Disbursing phone and fax numbers will remain the same.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during the relocation period.

NOTICE TO ATTORNEYS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO THE RESEARCH CORPORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I

Licensed attorneys who wish to provide specialized legal services to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i (RCUH) for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2019, are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications and Expression of Interest (SOQ) to RCUH pursuant to HRS § 103D-304.

RCUH is currently looking to contract for legal services in the following areas:

1. Employment: Employment, employee benefits, disciplinary, termination, and discrimination/retaliation issues. Services shall include but not be limited to:
a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
b. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees;
c. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.

2. Immigration: Temporary visas and/or permanent residency applications. Services shall include but not be limited to:
a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
b. Completing and filing permanent residency applications (previous experience representing both employers and employees in the permanent residency application process is essential);
c. Completing and filing temporary visa applications and related documentation; and
d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

3. Tax: Payroll, IRS compliance, foreign payroll and/or nonresident alien and foreign entity contractor payments (crossover immigration experience preferred), IRS compliance. Services shall include but not be limited to:
a. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

4. Maritime: Charter, third-party vessel, and other marine-related agreements; marine insurance terms and policies. Services shall include but not be limited to:
a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto; and
b. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, insurance policies/terms, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

Please email your SOQ to: [email protected] by Wednesday, May 1, 2019, to be eligible for consideration. An SOQ received after May 1, 2019 will be considered a “late submittal” for the balance of the fiscal year as follows: a late submittal received between May 2, 2019 and June 3, 2019, will be considered beginning October 1, 2019.

SOQ forms are available here, or may be requested by telephone at (808) 956-3969.

RCUH Financial Portal – Release 1.44

The RCUH Financial Portal has been updated with the following new features:

• Security updates, including password expiration and automated lockout.

• User Profile Updates, including a new field for FA Email in the Send Invoice In Duplicate To section, and an enhanced Delegate Account Access section.

• Form Enhancements, including the ability to add file attachments to a document after final approval, and a hidden Audit Information section.

• Report Enhancement for My Current User Assignments.

Please refer to the release notes for further details.

If you have any questions, please contact Ricky Fujioka at (808) 988-8346 or [email protected].

Financial Forecast Reports Now Available

The much anticipated Financial Forecast Reports are now available. Projects can now perform budget projections and view pending documents on the Financial Portal. Refer to the Financial Forecast Reports User Guide for more details.

We wish to acknowledge the assistance of the survey participants and review team who provided us with exceptional feedback during the development and production phases. We are grateful for their time and thoughtful comments.

Please contact Sumi Wong at [email protected] or (808) 956-4948 with any questions.