Previous Story
NMC regent Lizama resigns
|
Posted on Sep 09 2008
Linsa F. Lizama has resigned from the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents.
Gov. Benigno Fitial received her resignation last week, said Charles Reyes, press secretary for the Governor’s Office.
Board chair Charles Cepeda said Lizama resigned due to family health problems. She has been off island for the last few months dealing with a health issue.
“That’s why her resignation wasn’t a surprise,” he said.
A phone number for Lizama in the U.S. mainland could not be located.
With six regents, the board still has the minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Four members are needed to make a quorum, Cepeda said.
The board has asked the Governor to expedite the process of finding a replacement, Cepeda said.
“We would like to get the new member on the board so we can continue the process and get into the swing of things,” he added.
The board is continuing to focus on NMC’s accreditation status, Cepeda said. NMC has been on probation since February 2007 and was put on show-cause in February this year because, according to Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the school did not address previous concerns.
Lizama’s resignation will not have a negative effect on the board’s functions, but her educational background will be missed, Cepeda said.
“Linsa is an educator, that is why she was useful and informative,” he added.
Board members, Cepeda said, would like to find someone with a background in education, or someone who has knowledge of the Board’s functioning.
Reyes said the Governor would meet with advisors and seek recommendations for possible candidates.
“We have to go through the normal process,” he said.
A spokesman for the college could not be reached yesterday.
