College of Micronesia -FSM

Federated States of Micronesia
Computing · Directory · Home · Jobs · Library · News

August 21, 2009- Palikir, Pohnpei

MEMORANDUM

To:          All Concerned
From:      President
Subject:   President’s Update #330
Fall Semester 2009 Enrollment

The enrollment at all campuses are much higher this Fall Semester than Fall Semester 2008, as of 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.  This is the first semester that enrollment at the National Campus has exceeded 1000. The headcounts for Fall Semester 2009 are as follows:

Campus Students Enrolled
Chuuk 580
Kosrae 217
National 1,001
Pohnpei 730
Yap 207
Total 2,735
registration1registration2
Meeting with Chuuk State Leadership

President James and Director Peter met with the Chuuk State leadership in regards to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) concern expressed at their June 9-12, 2009, meeting that was held in California.  A review of the College of Miconresia-FSM’s Follow Up Report which was submitted on March 15, 2009, and the report from the  one member visiting team from ACCJC on his visit to Chuuk, National, and Pohnpei Campuses on April 28-May 1, 2009.  The Commission mentioned the pending issues at Chuuk site, especially unreliable power at Chuuk Campus. They are requiring the College to address  the issue before the March 2009 reaffirmation visit.

Copies of the ACCJC’s  letter of June 30, 2009, to President James were distributed to Chuuk State leaders.  President James and Director Peter explained the concerns of the commission, its impacts on the College’s accreditation, and the college’s plan of action to resolve the issue.  For example, the impact of unreliable power at Chuuk Campus is the inconsistency of delivery of programs and services which could lead to the College losing its accreditation.  The leaders expressed their support on addressing the issue facing Chuuk Campus.  They discussed the option of providing funding for the operation and maintenance of generators at Chuuk Campus as well as securing funding for installation of solar energy at Chuuk Campus.  They also requested the College to submit to their offices the estimated costs for fuel for running the generators at Chuuk Campus for a year.

President James and Director Peter expressed their appreciation to the leaders and informed them that the College will submit the estimates that they requested as soon as possible.

President James Presented his 2009-2010 Goals

President James welcomed new students, continuing students, new faculty/staff, and continuing faculty/staff at Chuuk and National Campuses during the orientation and registration weeks and outlined his goals for school years 2009-2010. The following were his goals:

  • to complete the writing of the self-study report and submit it to WASC on time
  •  increase the retention rate by 5-10%,
  • to continue to improve the image of the College by working collaboratively with the governments, parents of students, and other key stakeholders,
  • to work with the education systems in the FSM on bridging the gap between elementary and high schools and high schools and COM-FSM,  and
  • to establish one more partnership BA Degree program at the College.
Funding for Pohnpei SBDC In Jeopardy

The representatives of the College of Micronesia-FSM were informed by Governor’s Office that it will be difficult for Pohnpei State to provide funding for the Pohnpei Small Business Development Center (PSBDC) for Fiscal Year 2010.  The budget for the PSBDC for FY 2010 was not included in Pohnpei State FY 2010 budget which was submitted to the FSM.  JEMCO is still holding on to Pohnpei State’s capacity and private sector’s funds making it difficult for Pohnpei to fund the PSBDC from its regular budgets.

President James submitted a new budget proposal for fiscal year 2010 to Governor’s office on August 19, 2009, for his review and appropriate action.

 
President’s Memo on Use of Sick/Annual Leave for Off Island Medical Referrals

The use of sick/annual leaves for off island referral has been abused by employees at the College.  Recently as of May 18, 2009, a memo has been distributed to all employees of the College regarding guidelines and procedures for using sick/annual leaves for off island medical referrals.  It is important that employees of the College read the memo before they depart for island referral.

Chuuk Campus Student Body Association Election Results

The SBA election at Chuuk Campus was conducted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 and the following were the results:

President…………………………Esau Yosinobu
Vice President…………………….Mylove Ruda
Secretary…………………………..Sailyn Cholimay
Treasurer…………………………..Loraine Enlet

Board of Regents’ Meeting in Kosrae:

The College of Micronesia-FSM BOR will be having their second special meeting of the Fiscal Year 2009 in Kosrae during the week of August 24, 2009.  The Regents’ meetings are open to the general public and the Regents are encouraging the public to attend their meeting in Kosrae. The agenda for their meeting is attached for your information and perusal.