ACCJC tells ex-regent McPhetres to exercise caution and discretion

Now that she is no longer part of the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents, Agnes McPhetres should exercise “caution and discretion” when talking about the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges president and raising issues against the operations and dealings of NMC, according to commission chair Lurelean Gaines.

In a two-page letter sent to McPhetres on April 14, Gaines also reminded McPhetres of the confidentiality of some of the documents that she had made available to those who should not be reading the documents.

Saipan Tribune tried to obtain comments from McPhetres yesterday but was told that she was not home. Follow-up calls made to her house were not answered as of press time.

It will be recalled that the former NMC regent wrote the ACCJC head last March 27, blasting what she labeled as the “improper” behavior of Dr. Barbara Beno, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges president.

Gaines said it is clear from McPhetres’ letter that she is no longer a member of the board, yet the “many attachments” and “recipients” of the correspondences have no official business or affiliation with the college and its board.

“By your own admission [in the letter], you no longer have any official capacity with the college. …There is no indication that you obtained the consent of the college representatives involved in these communications for the disclosure of these letters to the persons whom you copied with your letter…” Gaines said, adding that since she understands that McPhetres served with the commission in the past, she believes that “confidentiality” of the information must be exercised and practiced by the former member.

She said McPhetres—being out of the board—has no position or right to continue to have access to these communications, which she labeled as “highly inappropriate.”

“Caution and discretion should be considered in the future,” Gaines told McPhetres.

The ACCJC head expressed confusion over McPhetres’ letter, saying the latter made some “derogatory statements” against the WASC president yet it was unclear if the correspondence was a formal letter of complaint.

She said if McPhetres intend to file a formal complaint, it should be addressed to Gaines clearly identifying the issues that embody the complaint.

Also, the letter of complaint must not be copied to anyone who is not officially connected with the college and would not have a legitimate need to be aware of the communication.

In order to investigate, Gaines said the letter must also show, on its face, that it raises serious issues that affect the accreditation of the college.

“By serious issues, I mean that the letter must state facts which, if true, would show that Dr. Beno’s actions were improper and that they have unfairly prejudiced the college’s accreditation in the past or are likely to do so in the future.”

Concrete examples of what McPhetres believes were improper conduct should also be included in the complaint.

Gaines said if McPhetres does not respond to her letter, the case would be deemed closed by ACCJC.