Another NMC chair files ‘concern’ over hiring decision

Another department chair at the Northern Marianas College aired “concerns” over hiring decisions made at his department, bringing to four the total number of chairpersons who have filed grievances over the same issue.

Glenn D. Keaton, chair of the sciences, mathematics, health, and athletics department, yesterday confirmed with Saipan Tribune that he submitted a “letter of concern” to the Office of the Dean of Academic Programs and Services, Dr. Debra Cabrera, last April 15.

Keaton said the matter is being reviewed and addressed at the dean’s level and has yet to reach the president’s table.

In a four-page document, Keaton cited concerns over the decisions made in the hiring and contract renewal practices at his department where he disclosed that management had interviewed and hired applicants that did not meet the minimum requirements, specifically for the math instructor position.

He also disagreed when management did not renew the contract of the department’s biological and health science instructor as well as the continuing vacancy of the natural resources management coordinator position.

For the math instructor, it was disclosed that interviews began on Nov. 21 last year with the expectation that the post would be filled by January 2009.

Of the 10 applicants, four met the requirements and qualifications and were all interviewed. The hiring recommendation from the interview committee was passed to the president’s office on Dec. 19, 2008. However, an e-mail from the NMC president to the committee asked that the interview period be extended to two more applicants.

Keaton said that, although the two did not meet the requirements, the committee still conducted the interview and was compelled to include all previous applicants in the second round of interviews.

From the list, the committee submitted six names for the president’s selection, highlighting the Top 3 applicants that met the qualifications.

“Yet, the president without consulting the interview committee, dean of academic affairs and the department chair…and without explanation or justification, chose to hire an applicant on the list who did not meet the minimum qualifications,” Keaton’s letter to Cabrera stated.

Saipan Tribune also learned that Dr. Elena Alexandrova, a biological and health science instructor who has been teaching as an adjunct instructor for four years at NMC, was not renewed.

Keaton described the instructor as a skilled, knowledgeable, and conscientious person who competently met the NMC mission standards of offering its students quality education.

“Yet the president, without consulting with the department chair, waited more than a week until after Dr. Alexandrova’s entry visa had expired to inform the dean of academic programs and services that the contract would not be renewed,” Keaton said, adding that the delay was in violation of the instructor’s contract and the law.

“This delay not only caused undue and unjustifiable stress and concern for the instructor, but also for nursing students who require for their degree the courses Basic Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and General Chemistry, which were to be offered in Spring 2009.”

This also resulted in the cancellation of a chemistry course, which is a prerequisite to other courses.

Also, Keaton cited concern over the continuing vacancy in the position of a natural resource management program coordinator. It has been vacant since December 2005 and had been identified as a key position at the college. The salary is funded through a federal grant.

The department chair said the delay in the preparation of the contract has resulted in the qualified individual leaving the island after waiting for quite some time.

Keaton said that until the college rectifies and clarifies its policies and procedures and adheres to best practices in hiring and retaining quality faculty, the college will continue to have difficulty in offering its students quality education and will fail in showing a sincere and genuine concern to live up to its motto of “Students First.”

At press time, the office of the president has yet to respond to Saipan Tribune’s questions about the issue.