NMC’s Fernandez is renewed

Despite criticisms raised against her, Dr. Carmen Fernandez has managed to secure a new four-year contract as president of the Northern Marianas College.

The NMC Board of Regents approved yesterday a new contract for Fernandez, this time extending her term from two to four years, with the same conditions and benefits stipulated in her original contract.

In a special board meeting yesterday, four regents voted to renew Fernandez’ contract: Maria Malua Peter, who made the motion; Elaine Orilla, who seconded the motion; Dr. Rita Inos, who participated in the deliberation through teleconference; and board chair Charles Cepeda.

Regent Janet King was the sole member who voted against the motion, while a newly appointed regent refused to cast a vote.

The meeting—called in at exactly 5:15pm—was attended by nearly 30 other individuals, mostly students.

Peter said the decision was made for “stability purposes.” NMC is still working on re-affirming its accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The four-year contract was approved with the same salary schedule of $80,000 per annum plus an $800 monthly allowance, as provided in Fernandez’s initial contract in 2007.

Fernandez said that she is “truly honored” by the board’s decision.

She vowed to continue her work to reaffirm NMC’s accreditation.

“I thank the board, the governor, the Legislature, the staff, employees, and students for their support to the institution,” she said after the meeting.

When asked if she expected the decision, Fernandez said: “I just had to wait and see…for the board’s decision, just like with our accreditation.”

Prior to voting, each member was allowed to comment on the president’s contract.

King reiterated her reasons for thumbing down the renewal of Fernandez’s contract, citing the college president’s “professional incapability” to deal with her as a regent.

She asked the board not to renew the contract and, instead, just provide a 60-day extension.

Fernandez was rated by board members on a scale of 1 to 5, which translates to “not acceptable,” “limited,” “satisfactory,” “above satisfactory,” and “outstanding.”

Saipan Tribune learned that Fernandez got a “2” rating (“limited”) from King. The regent said the NMC president failed to meet the goals of accreditation.

King had reportedly made the board aware since May 6—through a memorandum—that she will vote against renewing Fernandez’s contract.

Yesterday, King admitted attending the board meeting even knowing there was not enough number to support the “no” vote.

She described her “no” vote as not personal but in line with her duty as an “objective” board of regent.

“I respect her personally, but professionally she did not meet my standards,” she told the board.

Newly appointed regent Juan Demapan suggested that the board consider approving only two years for Fernandez, saying the “contract issue” is sensitive.

Peter stood firm, however, in her motion for the board to act now on the president’s four-year contract.

Inos pointed out that, regardless of what is stated in the contract, “please be aware that the board has always the option not to follow the term.”

“We have the option to dismiss the president if she fails to satisfy the board in her performance. …We can say ‘thank you’ and ‘no thanks’ anytime,” Inos added.

Regent chair Cepeda said that Fernandez did a “tremendous” job in addressing the accreditation concerns of the college.

He said the decision was made for the betterment of the college, its faculty, staff, and students.

Cepeda commended the board for coming up with a “unified” stand on the issue and emphasized that “everyone respects the opinion of each member.”

The reaction to the vote was muted among a number of staff and employees interviewed by Saipan Tribune, moments after the decision was announced.

Their responses ranged mostly from “We don’t want to comment” to “We respect the decision.”

Ivan Mereb, president of the Associated Students of NMC, said, however, that the president’s retention is good for the campus.

A lot of students, he said, favored the decision.

“I am happy to see that our Board of Regents is moving forward…for the betterment of the college. Many of our students were glad because in their heart, the decision to retain the president will help us in our efforts to finally move out from the show-cause status,” he told Saipan Tribune.

A 9-year college employee said that, although there is still a lot to be done for accreditation, she is confident “the president can get it done.”

The absence of faculty senate president Frank Sobolewski at the meeting posed a big question to many.

He was represented by a faculty representative, who said Sobolewski was still in class and couldn’t make it.