Previous Story
NMC: Between a rock and a hard place
|
Posted on Jul 21 2004
By CASSIE DLG FEJERAN
Special to the Saipan Tribune
The Northern Marianas College remains on warning status due to certain standards that are not in compliance with those set by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
According to acting college president Anthony V. Deleon Guerrero, WASC would like to see progress in program review, research evaluation of institutional effectiveness, integrated planning, capacity, and performance.
He said the Board of Regents is now working diligently with the college faculty and staff to address the recommendations required to provide a progress report, which is due on Oct. 15.
The college will also be required to submit the 2004-2005 budget report and the college’s position on La Fiesta and the Pacific Gateway project.
As required in the Standard 9 financial resources, the institution is supposed to have adequate financial resources to achieve, maintain, and enhance its programs and services. The college is also required to operate on a balanced budget on an annual basis and plan for financial uncertainties by ensuring that an adequate reserve is maintained at all times to meet emergencies that could not have been anticipated and planned for through the normal budgeting process.
This requirement for a balance budget could have an impact, though, on how the college will meet its personnel requirements.
According to Guerrero, the college has a total of 23 vacancies that need to be filled. The top six vacancies are the president’s position, a nursing instructor, a School of Education instructor, a College Lab School instructor, a counselor, and a computer instructor.
Raaj Kurapati, supervisor for the college’s finance department, said the college is faced with a difficult decision. “WASC is concerned about our fiscal practices and we need to live within our means. There are 23 vacancies. However we only have funding for six and a half,” Kurapati said.
The Board of Regents will hold a meeting on this matter, among others, on July 28, from 3pm to 4:30pm.
