NMC maps out four-pronged strategic plan

The Northern Marianas College’s Board of Regents yesterday unanimously approved a plan that will be included in the college’s Oct. 15 report, illustrating the changes they have made in order to get off show-cause status.

The PROA Strategic Plan 2008-2012 lays out four goals for the college:

-promote student learning and success;

-respond to the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the Commonwealth;

-optimize financial and human resources; and

-accelerate the upgrade of physical and technological infrastructure. Each goal lists several initiatives to follow.

The Strategic Plan, along with a Composite Report, is being used to help define the college’s operational budget for the year. The Board of Regents did not pass the budget yesterday, instead tabling it so the fiscal committee can make changes before presenting it to the board again on Oct. 9.

History

NMC has been on probation since February 2007 and was put on show-cause in February this year because, according to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges, the school did not address previous concerns.

The Oct. 15 report is the first step in NMC’s attempt to get off show-cause. Three representatives from WASC will visit the college on Nov. 3, 4 and 5 to make sure the college is following the standards set in the report.

“They’re here to ascertain that, in fact, the report is true and correct,” NMC president Carmen Fernandez told the board members yesterday.

The accrediting committee will make a decision in January whether to reaffirm NMC’s accreditation or terminate it.

Fernandez said the college’s work does not end after Oct. 15. The NMC community needs to be aware of the report to be prepared for the visiting accrediting officials, she said.

KRNM update

The Board of Regents yesterday also voted to assign KRNM’s non-commercial broadcast licenses to Marianas Educational Media Services. MEMS will continue the public radio format in the CNMI. Once the FCC approves NMC’s application, KRNM’s equipment can be liquidated. Although much of the equipment is obsolete due to technological gains, according to the Regents’ memorandum, some items have retained their value in today’s market.

“Depending on its condition, the sale price of the 100-foot tower should exceed the cost of safely removing it,” the memorandum stated.

Meanwhile, Gov. Benigno Fitial appointed Bernadino R. Taitano to the Board of Regents. Taitano will replace former Regent Linsa F. Lizama.