Update from the President's Office - No. 201

January 16, 2002MEMORANDUM

To:       All Regents, Faculty, Staff, and Students

From:     Interim President

Subject:  Update from the President's Office-No.201

COM-FSM Board of Regents special meeting. The special meeting of the COM-FSM Board of Regents to interview the four finalists for the position of President has been postponed to February 4-5, 2002. It was originally scheduled for January 9-10, 2002, but the four candidates could not make it on that date. In addition to the scheduled interviews, the Board would also consider the recommended candidate for Chuuk Campus Director position and approve the revised CIP Plan.

Chuuk Campus. Dr. Gene Ward, Economic Development Specialist and a former member of the House of Representatives, Hawaii (1990-1998); Mr. Baltazar Cruz, UNDP - UNIDO Business Development Specialist, DEDC Project, State Department of Commenrce & Industry, Chuuk State; Mr. Maderson K. Ramon, MEDC Project Coordinator, FSM Economic Affairs, FSM National Government; and Mrs. Lolita Belandres, UN Volunteer, MEDC Project Department of Commerce & Industry, Chuuk State, visited Acting Director, Switer Eter, to follow-up on the MEDC establishment at the new Chuuk Campus and were given information on its construction layover. Dr. Ward's predecessor, Dr. Chigo, passed away two months ago in the Philippines.

Mr. Augustino Sanemai, Placement Officer, FSM-FMI, paid a visit to Chuuk Campus Acting Director. Mr. Sanemai was in Chuuk recruiting students for the FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute.

Rev. Rauholtz, Pacific Islands Bible College Extension Program for Chuuk State, visited the Financial Aid Office to discuss issues facing PIBC students enrolling at Chuuk Campus and to obtain information on course requirements and other issues.

Mr. Kaichiro Harold, Bilingual Instructor, attended the 14th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held at University of Guam. Mr. Harold was able to attend six workshops on topics relevant to his English and Vernacular Language Arts courses scheduled for Spring Semester 2002.

Chuuk Campus Business Department has developed 19 courses to be offered in the Spring Semester 2002. The department has 18 computers in the lab with 15 computers on line. The number of students using the Computer Lab has increased dramatically from previous months.

Upward Bound Program. The Chuuk Campus Upward Bound Program has a total of 80 participants: Chuuk High School (42); Weno High School (23); PLHA (8); and Berea Christian School (7). The program elected their officers as follows: Victor Yatilman, President; Jaimina Farek, Vice President; Mayleen Manuel, Secretary; and Trudy Chiwi, Treasurer.

Career Ladder Program (CLP). The CLP conducted a meeting at Chuuk State Leadership Academy for model teachers, principals of the Professional Development Schools, and the bilingual instructors. The agenda included the designing of goals, objectives, and addressing staff duties and responsibilities in relation with the duties of the target school principals, teachers, and the community.

A plan is under way for Mrs. Connie Maipi, Chairperson of Education Department, to conduct a workshop on Classroom Management for SDA School.

In his monthly report the Acting Director of Chuuk Campus, Mr. Switer Eter, expressed heartfelt praise of former President of COM-FSM, Susan J. Moses. He commended her for her countless contributions, hard work and accomplishments during her tenure. Her presence will be missed, but her love, friendship, and professionalism will not be forgotten as we continue to build an excellent institution for our children.

Pohnpei Campus - Nine students from Pohnpei Campus graduated with an AS Degree in HRM. They are: Thelsa Abraham, Cathleen Alten, Carolynn Edgar, Jalin Ladore, Anchy Nennis, Epelihnen Pelep, Prescilla Olter, Larry Rayel, and Kerman Alten. Due to the typhoon watch and warnings, their graduation ceremony was cancelled and they will be invited to participate in the ceremony in May 2002.

Talent Search Program (TSP). According to a report received from TSP, Mr. Heinrich Palik was elected as treasurer of Pacific Island Chapter (PIC) for the next fiscal year. PIC is part of WESTOP, and its members include the TRIO programs in Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Palau, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, and FSM. Presently Director Palik is a member of the WESTOP Board of Directors and chairs its fundraising committee.

Our Sympathies.The College expresses deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of the two students who passed away last week. Marleen Allen succumbed to her illness, January 10th, the day after returning to Kosrae. Following an incident at a store across the street from the College, Shrew Sigrah died tragically early January 12th. Interim President, Ringlen Ringlen, and Vice President for Instructional Affairs, Spensin James, accompanied the remains to Kosrae. The College community held a memorial service for both students on Monday, January 14th. Student Services will be scheduling counseling sessions to help students handle their grief and to foster healing among the students.

Personnel. The College would like to extend a warm welcome to the following newly hired employees: Paul Ridding - National Campus Instructor, Norleen Oliver - Information Systems Specialist II, Mark DeOrio - Information Systems Specialist I, Edwin Barnuevo - National Campus Instructor, Kenneth Sterritt - Pohnpei Campus Instructor, David Jenkins - Pohnpei Campus Instructor, Daniel Suda - Chuuk Bilingual Instructor and Dr. Murukesan - Researcher for the Land Grant Program in Yap. Welcome!

More next time!!