Update from the President's Office - No. 200

December 19, 2001

MEMORANDUM

To:       All Regents, Faculty, Staff, and Students

From:     President

Subject:  Update from the President's Office-No.200

COM-FSM Board of Regents meeting. A regular meeting of the COM-FSM Board of Regents was ehld at Pohnpei Campus December 10-14, 2001. Outside of the meeting sessions, the Board was treated to a luncheon hosted by the Pohnpei State Governor, a traditiional feast hosted by the Talent Search Program, a dinner hosted by the Pohnpei Campus Upward Bound Program, and a lunch provided by the Pohnpei Campus Hotel and Restaurant Managent staff and students. Courtesy calls were paid on the Governor and members of the Pohnpei State Legislature. The Board also toured Pohnpei Campus facilities and programs and the multipurpose gymnasium at the National Campus.

The directives from this meeting are attached. If anyone has questions regarding action taken by the Board, please feel free to see me. The next meeting of the Board will be held on Pohnpei January 9-10, 2002, primarily for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of President.

Campus Directors meeting. A meeting of the Campus Directors was held on Saturday, December 8, 2001, at Pohnpei Campus. In addition to Pohnpei Campus Director Penny Weilbacher, Acting Chuuk Campus Director Switer Eter, Yap Campus Director Lourdes Roboman, Kosrae Campus Director Kalwin Kephas, and Pohnpei Campus Assistant Director Jeffrey Arnold, the following staff attended all or part of the meeting: Vice President for Instructional Affairs Spensin James, Vice President for Support and Student Affairs Ringlen Ringlen, Director of Academic Programs Joe Habuchmai, Director of Vocational Education Brent Villiers, Director of Student Services Lore Nena, Director of Research and Planning Greg Myers, Comptroller Danny Dumantay, and myself. The FSM- FMI Director was unable to attend. In addition to the FY 2003 budget, instructional and student services issues, several hours were spent modifying the proposed strategic plan to ensure adequate reflection of the State Campus programs and objectives.

Peer Guide appreciation ceremony A ceremony was held on December 6, 2001, in the AV Room to honor the 2001-2002 Peer Guides. Each Peer Guide was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. After several speeches and a group photo, refreshments were served. Special thanks again to all Peer Guides for the invaluable assistance you provide the College, especially new students.

Christmas card ceremony A brief ceremony was held on Friday, December 7, 2001, in the lobby of the Administration Building to announce the winners of this year's Christmas card design contest. Winners this year are as follows: First place--Davidson Syne ($100); Second place--Sidney Lebehn ($50); and Third place--Davidson Syne ($25). The prize winning design has been used for the College's official Christmas card for this year. The card and all of the winning entriesare on display in the Administration Building. Congratulations to Davidson and Sidney!!

Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve administrative leave. It gives me great pleasure to announce that all employees of the College will be granted administration leave for December 24th and December 31st in recognition of the service you have provided the College over this past year. Employees who by the nature of their responsiilities are required to work will be compensated with holiday pay. Paychecks that are scheduled for January 2nd will be distributed December 28th. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!

Personnel. Three faculty members will be leaving us at the end of fall semester. They include Leslie Cardone and Christina Baker of the National Campus and David April of Kosrae Campus. I want to thank you all for your service to the College over the past years and wish you the very best in the future!

A warm welcome is extended to the following newly hired employees (or employees who will be working in new positions): Morehna Santos- Director, Student Support Services Program (SSSP); Lucia Donre- Counselor, SSSP; Augustine Sanemai- Placement Officer, FSM FMI; Mermina Mongkeya- Administrative assistant, Kosrae GEAR UP Program; Euginia Hainrick-Administrative Assistant, Talent Search Program (TSP); Divine G. Gasapo- Counselor, TSP. We are all glad to have you all with us!

And since this is my last Update, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the College, including Regents, faculty, staff and students, for your tremendous support and assistance over the past eight years. I look forward to working with you in my new capacity as a member of the faculty.

Until then...