NMC hires Norita to do background checks

Northern Marianas College president Dr. Carmen Fernandez on Tuesday confirmed with a local activist group that the college has hired the services of former lawmaker and ex-Department of Public Safety commissioner Claudio K. Norita.

In a meeting with Taotao Tano and its president Gregorio Cruz Jr., Fernandez said that Norita is being paid $65 per hour to conduct and submit reports on his background check of candidates applying at NMC.

Citing Norita’s hiring as necessary to come up with the most qualified individuals for the college, Fernandez said the same services are also being tapped by the Legislature.

Tuesday’s meeting between Taotao Tano and Fernandez was a result of the group’s request to access personnel documents, which included Norita’s contract.

“[The president] confirmed that they have hired Mr. Norita on an hourly contractual basis at $65/hour to conduct background check on applicants. She said the legislative branch has also tapped Norita’s services every now and then and that she recommended to the Executive Branch that it is important to have such background checks on who the government hires, especially in health facilities, public schools, and NMC,” Cruz disclosed to Saipan Tribune.

“We want to make sure that the college fosters an environment that is safe and secure for everyone, most especially our students. To this end, it is not uncommon for other colleges to perform background checks to support the verification of credentials, criminal history, and other information related to employment decisions,” Cruz quoted Fernandez as saying.

Satisfied with the justifications conveyed by Fernandez, the Taotao Tano leader said it was confirmed to the group that no one has been terminated at the campus and that her current staff and faculty “are all hardworking individuals who strive daily toward attaining high standards of education.”

Cruz earlier asked the NMC management about employees who continuously get compensation or are being paid to stay home under administrative leave. Fernandez, however, refused to disclose any details on the matter, citing legal and confidentiality issues.

“She also acknowledged that some individuals may disagree with her hiring practices but she confirms that her methods are based on the best qualified applicants [and] that the board and NMC policy gives her the ultimate authority to hire whomever she feels is best qualified for any job opening,” Cruz said of Fernandez, adding that NMC has hired six new locals to fill positions that had been long vacated.

Fernandez also stated that renewal and non-renewal of employment contracts are merely based on the evaluation and recommendation of the human resource office, which submits proposals to her office.

When asked about retaliation against employees who complain, Cruz quoted Fernandez as saying that “she is not the type of person who would do such a thing and that she has an open door policy for any employee, staff or faculty.”

He also said that Fernandez assured him that she never denied anyone from speaking with any board members or anyone outside NMC but there are certain protocols in NMC policies that need to be followed.

Fernandez also acknowledged that there have been individuals who have been trying to discredit her dedication, achievements, and credentials, including her leadership at NMC and she hopes to see them and discuss matters with her personally.

For her, regaining full accreditation remains the foremost priority of the college at present.