BOR chairman urges focus on NMC’s re-accreditation

The chairman of the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents appealed to members yesterday to keep their focus and positive attitude on removing the college’s show-cause status and reaffirming its accreditation.

Charles Cepeda, in a letter to board members, urged that differences and conflicts between members be resolved in the proper manner so as to continue the work for accreditation compliance.

“I plead with every one of you to maintain a positive attitude in the direction of removing the NMC’s show-cause status and reaffirming its accreditation. Let us work out our differences professionally and legally, without continuing to distract the hard work put forth by the students, faculty and staff to reach this goal,” Cepeda told members, adding that the institution is going through “very difficult” challenges at present.

Cepeda said that addressing the concerns of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is the priority.

The current board’s main objective, he said, is centered on removing the “warning status” imposed on the college by the ACCJC. This challenge increased by more than tenfold when the ACCJC decided to stringently enforce the U.S. Board of Education’s two-year limit to comply with accreditation standards.

“Today, the ACCJC has removed five of the seven main concerns that have been addressed and completed by NMC. The remaining two is perceived to only require less than 10 percent work, as time ran out to effectively complete a full circle of the undertaking. The work continues to progress to meet the new deadline for submission to the ACCJC of April 1, 2009,” he said.

Cepeda admitted that NMC continues to face many issues, some of which have unnecessarily distracted from the main objective of addressing the ACCJC concerns and reaffirming the college’s accreditation.

”Everyone at the college is working extremely hard to do their part in complying with WASC standards, and we as the members of the Board of Regents must ensure that we are also providing the support and assistance needed to regain accreditation reaffirmation. With that I want to take this opportunity to reemphasize the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Regents here at the college,” he said.

Cepeda said that strong, effective boards help create strong, effective institutions by performing their unique fiduciary duties responsibly. “We must act as a unit, represent the common good, set policy direction, employ, support, and evaluate the president, support and advocate the interests of NMC, lead as a thoughtful, educated team, and help create a positive climate that promotes mutual respect and trust.”

One of the responsibilities of the chairman of the board, he added, is to foster teamwork and to resolve problems.

He said when there are ongoing disputes that split boards, a chairman needs excellent skills in conflict resolution to prevent discord from hurting the institution.

“The board chair must occasionally remind board members of appropriate board behavior. This takes tact and courage, but it is essential for an effective board. We need to be strong and effective as a unit to represent the common good, ensure that policies are set, support our president, continue to advocate for the interest of NMC, its students, staff and faculty and set a positive climate for all,” Cepeda added.

The chair recognized students who continue to support NMC by attending classes, applaud the faculty who continue to provide education to students and praised the staff who stay after work hours.