Update from the President's Office - No.214

July 31, 2002 MEMORANDUM

To:  All Regents, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, Community Patrons, and Our Valued College Friends

From:  Dr. Michael Tatum, President

 The month of July has been a virtual whirlwind of activities across our campuses.  The few remaining remnants of summer are fleeting and in just a few more days we will be fully involved in the Fall Semester.  As we press forward, we need to be ever aware of the important stewardship that each of us bears, and we must renew our commitments to serving our students, our communities, and the FSM as a whole.

 On Commitment

 Commitment has a power all of it’s own. The philosopher Goethe put it this way:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation . . .But the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.  All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.  A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.  Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it.  Boldness (of commitment) has genius, power and magic in it.  Begin it (your commitment) now.”

 The Micro Games and COM-FSM Commitment

 As I look around our campuses, I have seen numerous examples of commitment on the part of each of you.  Participation and support of the Micro Games is just one example.  Many of our faculty and staff volunteered in a variety of ways, including cooking, coaching, ticket sales, etc., and represented COM-FSM in an exemplary manner.  Kudos to each of you for your commitment to service in our community!

 Service, Commitment, Typhoon Chaatan, and Chuuk

 Speaking of service, as you know, Typhoon Chaatan hit the Island of Chuuk during the first week of July, leaving the island devastated.  This presents us with yet another opportunity to serve.  As you can imagine, the wounds of despair are deep on Chuuk at this time.  Chuuk Campus Director Joakim “Jojo” Peter has proposed that the COM-FSM family “show our true community spirit” by aiding the people of Chuuk through our prayers and through any small donations we can contribute.  The deadline for our contributions will be the Friday before the September COM-FSM Board of Regents meeting, at which time a resolution of prayer and our $ Donations $ can be presented to the appropriate relief agency.  Again, this is yet another opportunity to show our commitment and our humanity.

                        “We all have enough strength to bear other peoples woes.”

                                                                                    -La Rochefoucauld

 Commitment Observed

 “Caring” is one way we can show our commitment.  Do your actions show that you care?  With the one exception of Dr. Richard Womack, I am usually the first person on campus each morning.  A few mornings ago I was in my office, looking out of the window, when I observed VP Ringlen Ringlen walking across our campus picking up paper and other miscellaneous pieces of trash.  Ringlen, thanks for your example, and thanks for caring about our campus, and thanks for your example of commitment!

 Commitment Enlisted

 From our Personnel Department, Linda Maradol advises that the following persons have joined our COM-FSM family:

 Senolyn Syne has been hired as Clerk III in the Financial Aid Office.

Joey Oducado has filled the vacancy in the Registrar’s Office.

Miyuki Pangelinan has been hired to work as an assistant in Data Processing.

And Commitment Served Hot, Fresh, and Delicious

I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t mention our new Manager of Food Services at COM-FSM.  Alvin Ong has been on campus for about a month and is doing a superb job!  Everyone should take the opportunity to have Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at our cafeteria.  Alvin and his fine staff are indeed Committed to meeting our essential nutritional and gastronomic needs, and at a truly great price!

Other Commitments and Acts of Service to our community and COM-FSM

 VP Ringlen Ringlen represented COM-FSM and participated in the graduation ceremonies at the Police Academy held at the Sokehs Municipal Office.

 Glen Snider recently returned from a visit to each of the State campuses where he met and surveyed educators, community leaders, and alumni.  During his trip Glen generated an immense amount of important data that will prove to be helpful in both the development of our B.Ed degree and for the accreditation process.  Thank You Glen for your commitment!

Commitments to Health

 Other news via the Personnel Department:  Please be advised that the month of August is Open Enrollment for the FSM National Government Employee’s Health Insurance Plan.  This is the time to make changes in your health plan, enroll, or whatever.  Please contact Linda Maradol in Personnel for more information.  A commitment to your health is a commitment to your future.

Commitments to Professional Growth

 Kalwin Kephas recently attended special training for community college leaders involved in counseling.  We will be hearing more from Kalwin about what he learned during his training.

 Likewise, VP Spensin James attended an administrators workshop where he garnered valuable information and materials which will be helpful to COM-FSM during our accreditation.

 Also committed to sharing information and knowledge are Jojo Peter and Joe Habuchmai.  Both Jojo and Joe have attended grant writing workshops that relate to sponsored programs and grant projects that affect many of our campuses.

 Thanks goes to each of you for your commitment to professional growth and for sharing what you have learned.  The commitment shown by each of these campus leaders is noted and appreciated.  Thanks.

Commitments to Teaching

 As part of their stewardship, the teaching faculty will begin a rigorous schedule beginning August 5^th.  The schedule is as follows:

August 5-8            Faculty will be working on program evaluations and revisions of course outlines.  Also orientation for new students.

August 5^th            Faculty will attend a general assembly from 9:00-11:00 in the new gym.

August 6^th            English and Math Placements will be administered to freshmen and transfer students.

August 9^th            9:00-10:00 in A203 a short workshop on student advisement.

 August 9-15            Student Advsing

 August 13-15            Registration

 August 16^th            Faculty Meeting 1:30-3:00 in A 203.

In his book, The One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard emphasizes Commitment.  One of his statements that stands out boldly in my mind is “Keep Your Commitment to Your Commitment, Share it With Someone.”  It is my hope and solemn prayer that all of us here at the College of Micronesia-FSM will make a commitment to being the very best representative of the college that we can be.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters

compared to what lies within us.” – Emerson

Shared Commitment

 We all have important roles here at the College of Micronesia-FSM and must share the commitment to make our college the best college that it can be.  My commitment to each of you is to uphold the highest of standards and be the best that I can be.  We are all in this “canoe” that we call the College of Micronesia-FSM together.  I promise to paddle as hard as I can.  There is a paddle for everyone.  I hope that we can all commit to paddling together.

 Thanks to each of you for all that you do, and thanks for your commitment.

“Mike”