No probation period for NMC president under new contract

The four-year employment contract approved by the Board of Regents for Northern Marianas College president Dr. Carmen Fernandez contains no provision requiring a probationary period for the official.

Board of Regents chair Charles V. Cepeda clarified, though, that the absence of such language in the contract will not hinder the board from making a decision if it is dissatisfied with Fernandez’s performance during the duration of her term.

“There is a period stipulated in her contract that the board needs to issue within 60 days a notice if we wish to dismiss or cancel the contract of the president,” Cepeda told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

This, he said, provides the same intent as a probationary period clause.

Fernandez, who assumed the post in May 2007, was renewed for an extended term of four years, from the original contract of only two years. She was given the same $80,000 annual pay and an $800 housing allowance.

Cepeda emphasized that the exclusion of a “probationary provision” in the president’s contract has been a board practice since way back.

“The same provision was excluded in her original two-year contract approved by the board,” Cepeda said.

Prior to approving Fernandez’s contract, the board and college management were bombarded with faculty concerns about the president’s management and hiring practices.

Cepeda said the board received no specific concerns following the board’s decision to renew Fernandez’s contract.

“We haven’t received anything on this matter…and maybe it’s too soon. We haven’t gotten any feedback on our decision renewing the president for four more years,” Cepeda said.

During the board’s deliberation, regents were reminded of the sensitivity of giving the president a long-term contract when faculty and other college employees get only two-year contracts at the college.

Echoing regent Dr. Rita Inos prior statement that the NMC president can be terminated with or without cause, Cepeda yesterday said that the long-term contract should not worry people because this can be revised and cancelled anytime the board wants to do so.

The chair, however, express optimism that Fernandez will effectively carry out her role as president of the college for another term.

The NMC president serves at the pleasure of the Board of Regents.

Fernandez earlier vowed to address the concerns raised by employees and faculty about their contracts as soon as the college reaffirms its accreditation next month.