NMC student body president files grievance over forced resignation

Ivan T. Mereb Jr., president of the Associated Students of Northern Marianas College, on Tuesday filed a formal grievance with the Office of the College President and the Dean of Student Services.

At issue is an incident in February where some college staff, allegedly working with instructions from the NMC management, harassed him and forced him to step down from his post with the student organization.

In a two-page document now awaiting action from NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez and Student Services dean Janice Tenorio, Mereb expressed great disappointment with the NMC management’s “show of force” in removing him from office.

Saipan Tribune learned from Mereb that he felt harassed when some college staff entered his office and packed all his things in a box on Feb. 7.

“For me it was a proof of pure hatred against me staying in office,” Mereb told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

He said he is now waiting for Fernandez’s action on his grievance, which may be rendered after the accreditation team visit this month.

Fernandez said yesterday that she has not seen the grievance filed by Mereb.

“I have not seen the grievance that president Mereb has filed,” said Fernandez, adding that she is glad the student leader is exercising his rights “to use the procedures that have been put in place by the Board of Regents.”

“I will see to it that this issue is resolved in the soonest possible time,” she added.

To protect the privacy of individuals, she said she will never comment on specific grievances before they are properly adjudicated, along with the issues that involve student records, which are protected by local and federal statutes.

“As I have continuously stated, I recommend that any individual who feels that he or she has been wronged to make use of the grievance process that has been put in place by the NMC Board of Regents,” said Fernandez.

The president said she will not allow any grievances to distract their momentum in meeting accreditation standards.

Saipan Tribune learned that Mereb was asked to resign by then acting dean of Student Support Services Leo Pangelinan for failing to comply with the ASNMC Constitution. Mereb reportedly did not maintain the required GPA for a student leader to stay at his post.

With the guidance of ASNMC advisers Larry Lee and Jack Kiyoshi, Mereb was able to keep his position after finding out that the ASNMC constitution states that “officer removal is a student initiative; not to played or viewed as the role of the administration [college].”

Mereb said yesterday the fiasco affected the credibility of the student body.

“My grievance complaint is made toward the two institutional departments [dean of student services and president’s office] that were responsible for bluntly issuing a forcible resignation upon me,” Mereb’s complaint stated.

The student body president said that during the two years he occupied the post, he has never been challenged during both the ASNMC general elections in fall 2007 and 2008 and no issue was ever brought against him or to the attention of the Student Election Commission handled by the Office of Students Activities and Leadership.

“Basing on the record of ASNMC, that was the first time such an action occurred…and I want it to become the last for ASNMC,” he said. “I strongly feel that this should go on record; knowing that I was asked to step down from office and then informed that the individual who asked me to resign…didn’t have the authority to do so.”

When asked as to who entered and packed his things, Mereb said he isn’t sure but is certain that they were sent by the “management.” He said the incident happened when he was out of his office; it was witnessed by his peers.

He said the issue of removing student leaders from office should be vested solely upon the students of NMC, who are general members of the student body.

Mereb is asking for a meeting between ASNMC officers and college officials to iron out the issue. He also seeks immediate restitution for any members affected by the wrongful decision via a formal public apology.