Update from the President's Office - No. 181

March 28, 2001

MEMORANDUM

To:       All Regents, Faculty, Staff, and Students

From:     President

Subject:  Update from the President's Office-No.181

Staff Development Day.    As announced in Update 180 Staff Development Day was held on March 16, 2001, at the National Campus with faculty and staff from both the National and Pohnpei Campuses in attendance. Special appreciation goes to members of the Staff Development Committee who organized this event including: Herman Semes, Chair; Jean Thoulag, Vice Chair; Alicia Ada; Linda Maradol; Patricia Pedrus; Mariana Ben; Magdalena Hallers; Arleen Dumantay; Gordon Segal; Hadleen Satele; Qulida Alex; Francisco Mendiola; Allain Burgoin; and Henry Wilson. Egi Tikoi and Judy Obispo from Pohnpei Campus also assisted in the planning and organizing of the activities. Personal "Thank-U Grams" were sent to all presenters. The extra effort you made to organize and share information and skills with your colleagues is very much appreciated. Thank you all for making this a successful event.

As so clearly stated by Alicia during her afternoon presentation, there is a need for clearer focus and direction in our staff development efforts at the College. In that regard, the Staff Development Committee has been charged with the development of an overall staff development plan. This task is a continuation of work that was begun by the committee late last year. Everyone is encouraged to provide your input as this plan is being developed. Please see any one of the Staff Development Committee members with your ideas.

The Chuuk Campus English Department has opened up its office to assist students with advice or information of both an academic and non-academic nature. The staff reported that they were surprised to see so many students come for assistance.

Board of Regents meeting.    In Update 180 it was reported that the Board of Regents meeting that was scheduled to be held in Kosrae had been postponed due to the closure of the Pohnpei airport. Unfortunately, this meeting had to be cancelled. A teleconference meeting of the Board will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at the National Campus to discuss two agenda items: 1) the request to used additional revenue generated above budgeted revenue (National Campus) for system network and database implementation; and 2) the revised A.A. Degree in Micronesian Studies. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled to be held the week of May 21, 2001, in Pohnpei.

Midterm Accreditation Visit.    The College's Midterm Report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) was submitted on November 1, 2000, and a visit was scheduled for the second week in December. However, the person scheduled to conduct this visit, Mr. John Cruz from Guam, had to cancel due to illness. This visit is now scheduled to take place April 29-May 1, 2001. Mr. Cruz will arrive on the late flight from Guam on April 29th, visit the College on April 30th and then return to Guam on May 1st. I have asked Mr. Cruz to provide a list of persons with whom he would like to meet during his visit.

TRIO Programs Founding Day.    A program to recognize the founding of the TRIO programs was held on March 15, 2001, at the Pohnpei State gymnasium. A graduate of the Talent Search Program class of 1994, Eugenia Hainrick, served as MC for the program which included raising of the colors, invocation by Pohnpei Upward Bound Director Churchill Edward, welcoming remarks by the COM-FSM President, a history of the TRIO programs by TSP senior Meeyoung Kim, remarks by FSM Department of Health, Education, and Social Affairs Deputy Secretary Midion Neth, a cultural presentation by Pohnpei Upward Bound students, remarks by Pohnpei Legislature Speaker Feliciano Perman, a cultural presentation by TSP students from Rohi Elementary School, and remark by US Charge Debra Kingsland. At the conclusion of the morning program, participants proceeded to the track and field for races and games. An article on the day's activities can be found in the most recent issue of The Kaselehlie Press. TSP Director Heinrich Palik and Upward Bound Director Churchill Edward and their staff are to be congratulated on a job well done!

Founding Day.    The College's Founding Day will be celebrated on March 29, 2001, at the Palikir field beginning at 8:00 a.m. Events include 100 meter dash, softball relay, bamboo race, 200 meter dash, name calling, water bucket race, obstacle race, staff race, blind date race, animal race, sack race, 3-legged race, coconut husking, tug of war, and relay. Other Founding Day activities have included basketball and volleyball for both men and women. I encourage everyone to participate in this year's events on March 29th. It should be a lot of fun!

Cultural Day Event.    The Student Body Association (SBA) is inviting everyone to participate in their Cultural Day Event which will be held on March 30th beginning at 12:00 noon at the Cultural Sites at the National Campus. Activities include dances, fafa pounding, sakau preparation, and breadfruit pounding among others. Refreshments will be provided.

College Bowl.    The annual National Campus/Pohnpei Campus College Bowl will be held at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2001, in the temporary gym. The College Bowl is being scheduled for the late afternoon this year in an effort to maximize attendance. Please attend and root for your team.

STAP Scholarship presentation.    Representatives of Samahang Tagalog atbp. SA Ponape (STAP) visited the National Campus on March 23, 2001, to present scholarship awards to three COM-FSM students during a small ceremony held in the A-V room. According to the criteria used by the STAP Scholarship Committee, two awards are designated for Pohnpeian students, while the other is designated for a student from the Philippines who is attending COM-FSM. This year there were over 30 applications for the STAP scholarships. Winners include Ainstain Ioanis (second award), Jansen Santos, and Rachel Bardelas. Congratulations to all three of you!

Book donation from Soka University.    A small ceremony was held in the A-V room on March 26, 2001, during which Iso Nahnken of Nett Salvador Iriarte and Mr. Richard Sasaki of Soka University presented a collection of 228 books in various languages to the College's library. On hand to witness this presentation were Board of Regents Chairperson Podis Pedrus, LRC Director Dakio Syne, LRC Assistant Director Jean Thoulag, and members of the faculty, library staff, and student body. The College is very appreciative of the generosity of Soka University.

Personnel.    A warm welcome is extended to Elina Mori who began working at Chuuk Campus on March 19, 2001, as the Student Services Specialist I for financial aide. We are glad to have you with us, Elina!

According to a message received from Dr. Josekutty who is with the Land Grant Program at Kosrae Campus, a write-up of his research on the work he is doing in the lab there on banana propagation has been accepted for presentation at the 10th Pacific Science Intercongress at the University of Guam. This research will be published as a full paper in the proceedings of the conference. Congratulations, Dr. Josekutty! The College is proud of this accomplishment