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Intrusion into NMC breaches accreditation rules: Official
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Posted on Mar 16 1999
An official of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission said it is just proper for the legislature to ask questions from the Northern Marianas College but he raised concerns over the possible intervention in its daily operations.
“Certainly, it is appropriate for the legislature to ask questions. But if the legislature, for example, would like to make internal operating decision for the college that would be in violation of the commission’s standards,” according to Deputy Ernest Leach.
He arrived on Saipan last week to lead the retreat of the Board of Regents and denied reports that his was here to voice out complaints in behalf of the commission over the on-going oversight hearing.
“I came here for a workshop with the Board and I can’t control the rumors,” he said in an interview.
As a representative of the accrediting commission, he would however lobby for legislative support for the CNMI’s state college.
Although, he was surprised to take part during the oversight hearing scheduled last Friday, he made the commission’s position clear to the committee of Health, Education and Welfare.
“In today’s economy, everybody is worried about the dollar and I understand that the college had serious reductions in their budget,” he said. “The accrediting commission would be interested to see if the college is staff appropriately, if the legislature provides sufficient funding to support NMC and if they allowed the Board of
Regents to act independently on management of the college.”
A team from the accrediting commission is due to visit NMC this spring to validate its self-study in accordance with the standards set by WASC.
The college will face two accreditation evaluations leading to the offering of a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and the renewal of its accreditation.
Both teams will make one comprehensive visit to the college and thereafter the affirmation of NMC’s accreditation will occur every six years.
