NMI higher education commission still a ‘proposal’

A year after the enactment of a law that dissolved the licensing function of the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents, the bill to create a CNMI higher education commission remains a “proposal,” pending favorable action by the Senate.

Saipan Tribune learned this yesterday following a check with the author of House Bill 16-58, which proposes to establish the commission as the licensing authority for postsecondary educational institutions in the CNMI.

Rep. Justo Quitugua introduced the bill in March 2008; the lower chamber approved it last year.

When asked about its current status, Quitugua said the measure is still being “reviewed” by the Senate for action.

“The enabling legislation is still in the Senate…and no action has been taken so far,” he admitted.

The proposal to create the higher education commission became law after it was ratified in a referendum held in November 2007. After its ratification, the NMC Board of Regents lost the authority to license and regulate postsecondary institutions.

NMC board chair Charles V. Cepeda yesterday said that all duties of the licensing body were transferred to the Executive Branch, through the Office of the Attorney General. These tasks include inspections, renewals, and assessment of all the licenses issued by the former licensing authority.

Cepeda admitted that the decision to “let go” of these functions was also a result of the recommendation by the accrediting body, which said that NMC needs to focus its efforts on campus operations and its students.

Quitugua believes the delay in the establishment of the commission will impact the CNMI’s desire to have the islands become an educational hub for the region.

He wants the bill be acted upon by the Senate so the CNMI could start preparing for the necessary requirements of the new commission.

Based on Quitugua’s bill, the commission must be composed of five members who will serve a six-year term and requires them to have a master’s degree and at least five years of related work experience.

The measure also proposes no compensation for members.

Quitugua said that initial funding for the commission will be appropriated by the Legislature, the amount of which will be determined by the commissioners when established.

The pending legislation also requires the hiring of an executive director who will be tasked to report to the commission.

Besides the adoption of rules and regulations, the higher education commission is mandated to establish application and licensing procedures, fees to be used for operating expenses of the commission, annual evaluation of postsecondary educational institutions currently licensed, and submit an annual report to the presiding officers of the Legislature.

The last provisional licenses issued by the NMC board included that of the University of Loyola at CNMI, Emmanuel College, and American Mediscience University.