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Bill seeks to expand regents’ hiring powers
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Posted on Oct 08 2008
The Northern Marianas College board of regents will have free rein to decide the term of the college president under a bill passed by the House of Representatives.
The House members voted 16-0 on Tuesday to approve legislation providing the NMC board of regents with full autonomy in hiring and retaining the president of the college.
Rep. Stanley Torres, who has been in legal dispute with NMC management, abstained from the vote. Representatives Rosemond Santos, Joseph Reyes, and Edwin Aldan were absent.
Existing law authorizes the NMC board to appoint and terminate the college president, as well as establish his or her salary level. However, it also limits the initial appointment to a two-year term, with a possible two-year extension.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has recommended an amendment to this law. WASC-ACCJC, which has threatened to terminate NMC’s accreditation, wants the college to be governed by “an independent policy-making body that is capable of reflecting constituent and public interest in board activities and decisions,” the bill states.
The bill adds that, by providing the NMC board with the authority to determine the term of the college president, the Legislature will assist NMC in complying with accreditation requirements.
