Sobolewski set to end term as NMC faculty senate president

Frank Sobolewski’s successor as Northern Marianas College faculty senate president will be named as soon the new set of officers elects its leaders.

Sobolewski’s term is set to expire after the Spring semester.

In a report to the NMC board last Monday, Sobolewski said the newly elected faculty senators will take office at the final faculty senate meeting for the spring term, which is on May 19.

Several individuals were named faculty senators during elections held January and February.

Sobolewski, who may serve as faculty senate president for only two semesters, was elected anew as senator representative for the Division of Instruction, while Marian Tudela was named representative of the Division of Student Services. Cynthia Deleon Guerrero was elected representative of the School of Education.

One faculty senator will be named soon to represent the Division of Community Programs and Services.

Five members were voted as at-large faculty senators: Larry Lee, Lyte Chapap, Barbara Merfalen, Joan Dubrall, and Judy Torres.

In accordance with the shared governance procedures in the NMC Institutional Excellence Guide that was adopted by NMC in December 2008, six instructors were appointed by the faculty senate on the College Council; three instructors on the Budget and Finance Committee; and six instructors appointed on the Planning, Program, Review, and Outcomes Assessment Committee.

Sobolewski, who has been with the college since 1995, told Saipan Tribune that the proposal to have indefinite contracts for faculty members will depend on his successor.

Though the idea has been killed several times in the past, Sobolewski believes that the move will boost the morale of instructors as they are provided job security.

An indefinite contract will set no expiration date but will include provisions that faculty can be terminated with cause based on evidence.

At present, he said, the existing two-year contracts at the college creates fear among instructors because they may lose their job, with or without cause.

Under an indefinite contract, Sobolewski said, it will not take away the right and power of the NMC president to let go of undeserving faculty members, provided there is evidence based on performance evaluation.

The faculty senate is the official representative body and legislative body of the faculty assembly of NMC. It acts on behalf of the faculty members and it is accountable for its action.

The body performs, initiates, develops, and review policies on academic and administrative matters of NMC. It also provides advisory comment on proposed Board of Regents’ policies and participates in maintaining the integrity of the academic processes of NMC. Its faculty senate president serves as a non-voting honorary member of the Board of Regents.