Rabauliman is new BOR chair

Frank Rabauliman was voted unanimously as the new chairman of the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents yesterday.

In a meeting yesterday, the board added the election of new officers to their agenda.

After being the only one nominated and voted to be the new chair, Rabauliman took the helm of the Board of Regents.

The board went into a brief executive session after the election.

“Our current chair has noted that he is resigning. He has asked that his resignation will be effective in 10 days but he will accept whatever the board decided. The board has decided that the chair resignation will be effective today at the time of the board’s election,” board treasurer Michaela Sanchez stated on record after the closed-door session.

Former chair Juan T. Lizama, who was present during the early part of the meeting, wasn’t present during the election of officers.

Prior to leaving early, he left the board a message to “do what you have to do.”

“Our new chair is Frank Rabauliman,” Sanchez added.

Rabauliman thanked the board and urged them to be ready. “I want to thank everybody for the vote of confidence. I encourage everybody to roll up your sleeves because it’s going to be a very interesting year, there’s a lot to do. I’m sure you all know.”

Rabauliman said that their priority is the creation of a team that will search for the next president of the college.

“First order of business is establishing the search team. In addition to other stuff that includes forming the committees, we need to form an audit committee and to be in compliance with what [Western Association of Schools and Colleges] requires,” Rabauliman said.

This will be Rabauliman’s second stint as Board of Regents chairman.

Other officers were also elected. Elaine Orilla was elected vice chair and Sanchez was again treasurer. Both were elected via acclamation.

“I’m asking everyone to join hands and join hearts and work together and move on,” Sanchez said.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Hart said she will continue to work closely with the board and with the new leadership.

“I work will all members of the board and I’ve worked with Frank Rabauliman before and I will continue to work with any board chairman,” Hart said. “I will work with him accordingly and look forward to it as well.”