Probe unnerves NMC •Shakeup may be needed, say college officials during hearing

Anxiety, fear and anger have crept into the campus of the Northern Marianas College stemming from its weak financial shape and allegations of mismanagement that have been a subject of investigation by the House of Representatives for the past one and half a month.

This was revealed by middle managers and officials of the community college during the oversight hearing held on Friday which, shifting its inquiry approach, delved for the first time into what they thought should be done to improve NMC. (see related story)

Personnel Director Kohne Ramon admitted employees and faculty staff are going through their “lowest level of morale” that has affected job performance during this “testing” time. .

“We are in serious crisis as far as employee productivity is concerned,” he told the hearing, pointing to anxiety of college personnel as main effect of the ongoing investigation and consequent public reactions.

The oversight, conducted by the Health, Education and Welfare Committee, has so far disclosed findings of mismanagement of funds and inconsistency in implementation of board-sanctioned policies.

Although they have repeatedly denied the charges, the investigation has prompted NMC Chairman Manuel Sablan to order restructuring of the state college which will affect high-ranking officials as well an ungraded positions.

“The greatest fear is trust — not knowing what will come down tomorrow,” said Ramon, referring to the planned reorganization.

Tee Abraham, vice president for administrative services, believed it is not fear which has been pervasive in the college, but anger and pain due to “damaged reputation” when some of them proposing a much-need change in the past had been largely ignored and now are part of the allegations.

“It’s clearly understood that we need to improve the college from the top down, not just the management but the board too,” she said.

According to Abraham, policies must be improved to reflect current needs as well as attitudes of NMC employees and officials to transform what she called culture of selfishness and silence into more positive traits.

Many of the college officials also underscored the need for reforms at CNMI’s sole higher learning institution, citing it for being “top-heavy,” lack of management skills and failure to undertake cost-analysis, needs assessment and evaluation of programs implemented in recent years.

They also prodded the legislature to assist NMC in upgrading its deteriorating facilities as well as pass measures that will provide equal treatment in doling out scholarship grants to both on- and off-island students.

Noting the “revealing” statements made during the shift in the conduct of hearing, HEW chair Rep. Heinz Hofschneider pledged to follow the same approach in future inquiries.

“It’s unfortunate but I don’t mean to create anxiety,” he told NMC officials, saying the oversight will help the college to be “in better posture” to serve its students.