Update from the President's Office - No. 170

Annual Report. FSM Public Law 7-79 which established the College requires that a report be submitted annually to the FSM President and the Congress. The report for FY 99 was completed early last week and was sent to the printers. This report contains information in the following areas: Mission, Goals and On-going Planning; Instructional Programs; Enrollment; Measurable Program Outcomes; Student Services; Accreditation; Finances; Facilities and Projects; and Board of Regents. The FY 2000 report will be submitted once the annual audit is completed.

FACSSO. The FSM Association of Chief State School Officers (FACSSO) met on Pohnpei October 16-20, 2000, to address the outcomes of the Education Summit held in September. Vice President for Instructional Affairs Spensin James and I represented the College at this meeting. FACCSO members took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Chairman and the Executive Director of the Joint Committee on Compact Re-negotiations, the FSM Vice President, and the US Ambassador to the FSM. On October 16th, the FACSSO Chairman presented Education Summit outcomes to the Economic Policy Implementation Council (EPIC) which is comprised of the FSM President, FSM Vice President, the four State Governors, and Speakers of the State Legislatures and FSM Congress.

FSM Congress. During the past two weeks I have been meeting with members of the FSM Congress to hear their views on the issue of becoming a four-year institution, the roles of the National and State Campuses, tuition increase, and the proposed facilities master plan. In addition, attention has also been given to re-designating the $236,600 appropriated for a baseball field for the National Campus for use in constructing additional faculty offices. The need for additional classrooms at the State Campuses has also been discussed.

Also, I have been informed that the HESA Committee will be holding a hearing on the proposed Language and Culture Institute to be housed at the College. I have asked that such hearing be postponed until my return.

Peer Guide Ceremony. A ceremony was held on October 19, 2000, to express appreciation to students who served as Peer Guides for Spring, 2000 - Fall, 2000. Students recognized during this ceremony include: Presley Charley, Timothy Chugen, Cecil Chugrad, Swyther Clark, Engelbert Danis, Terry Dawe, Jason Gaarad, John Gelag, Lover Haimin, Renton Isaac, Christopher Ithelmal, Lipan Lipan, James Lukan, Rust Manual, Benrita Martin, Anechan Narruhn, Marleen Nedelec, Diana Pigg, Monica Rogon, Angkelita Ruback, Eileen Sabino, Gerson Sigrah, Rebecca Sigrah, T.S. Killy Sillem, Aden Suwel, Cassiano Talogulgar, Keyna Thoulag, Leilani Welley, Rufino Xavier, Augustine Yanruw, Augustine Yarofalyaro, and Joseph Yowtamag.

Thank you all for helping to make our new students feel welcome and at home at COM-FSM!! Your help is very much appreciated.

My trip. As you read this I will be interviewing staff and visiting classes at Kauai Community College as part of an accreditation evaluation team. I will be away from October 20-28, 2000. Expenses for my participation in this visit are being covered by the Accrediting Commission. Vice President for Support and Student Affairs Ringlen Ringlen will act in my stead during my absence. Please provide your usual support to Ringlen.

Personnel. A warm welcome is extended to Santus Sarongelfeg who began work on October 16th as the Registrar at FSM FMI and to Valerio Ken who was hired as a Maintenance Worker effective October 9th, also at FSM FMI. The College also welcomes Ianson Johnson who was hired as the live-in staff for the men's dormitory effective October 9th. Resignations have been received from the following Pohnpei Land Grant staff: Pensis Etse, Rita Materne, and Claudio Panuelo. On behalf of the College I would like to extend sincere appreciation to these staff members for service to the College. We wish you all the very best in the future.