Faculty and Staff Satisfaction Survey

Good evening,

As part of its efforts to continuously improve its programs and services, the College of Micronesia-FSM is inviting you to complete a satisfaction survey. The purpose of this survey is to assess the satisfaction of Faculty and Staff with the quality of services and programs that the college provides. Sincerity and honesty in your responses will provide accurate feedback measures for the College in improving its services

You may access the survey starting from today until Friday, December 3, 2010.

Please note that you have to be within the College's computer network in order to access the survey. The link will NOT work from your homes.

http://idb.palikir/limesurvey/index.php?sid=48534&lang=en

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great weekend!

Joe Saimon

Christmas Card Design Competion

Christmas Card Design Competition

DIRECTIONS: Open to COM-FSM Students Only. The design should reflect the FSM, the College and Christmas. Designs should be submitted on 8 1/2" X 11" paper. Color is permitted, as well as computer-generated designs (besides paper copes, electronic copies submitted on a CD or thumb drive is also required for computer-generated designs). Student's full name should be clearly written on the back only. Drawings with identifying information on the front will be disqualified. (Do not mention year) Each student may submit a maximum of two entries. Entries should be submitted to Joe Saimon, DCR Director by November 26, 2010 at 5 pm (students at other campuses besides the National may submit entries to the student service coordinates who shall notify the DCR Director). All entries become the property of the COM-FSM. The top design will be used as the official COM-FSM Christmas card. The college reserves the right to modify the selected design(s) for any reason without the consent of the original designer. The top three designs could also be adopted to Christmas cards and sold for the Endowment Fund. Prizes will be awarded to winning entries as follows: First Prize $100 Second Prize $75 Third Prize $50

Due Date: November 26, 2010

The DCR is now testing a new alumni software. This is a test messge

COM-FSM is party to $1.2 million grant with UOG

The College of Micronesia-FSM will be benefitting from a $1.2 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for the Guam/Micronesia Area Health Education Center grant. The University of Guam’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences received the funding on behalf of the region.

The funding will support AHEC grant objectives including the recruitment of students into primary care and public health careers and providing interdisciplinary training and continuing education for health professionals in Guam, the Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Kosrae.

This marks the second year of funding for the AHEC grant and a 38 percent increase from year-one funding.

The University of Guam was designated as the program office for the Guam/Micronesia Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in 2009 in partnership with the University of Hawaii, the Guam Community College, the College of Micronesia-FSM, the College of the Marshall Islands, and the Pacific Islands Health Officers Association.

The goal of the Guam/Micronesia AHEC is to improve the health of the underserved through collaborative regional training initiatives across the Micronesian region. The Guam/Micronesian Area Health Education Center emphasizes community-based interisland training for healthcare providers and students while enhancing health career education and recruitment from elementary to community college levels.

Jon Berger is new Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)

John Berger, the Assessment Coordinator (left)
will be the new Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Joe Saimon, the Director of Development and
Community Relations (right) is the outgoing ALO.

National Campus, Palikir,– According to a September 3, 2010, letter from the College president to the accrediting commission, Mr Jon Berger will be the next ALO. In his memo to Dr Barbara Beno of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), President Spensin James stated that this appointment will come into effect on October 1, 2010. He will be replacing Mr Joseph Saimon who has been the accreditation liaison officer (ALO) for the College since 2004.

According to President James’ letter, Jon Berger formerly served as the director of academic programs and more recently as math and career & technical education instructor at Yap Campus. In spring 2008, Jon was awarded as Yap Campus Top Instructor and again in 2009. Jon was relocated to the National Campus as the new assessment coordinator under the instructional department.

According to Mr Berger “being an ALO is a very important position in the College which can also be a stressful position. I was tasked by the president (of the college) to provide training, mentoring and leadership for the college with regards to accreditation. I look forward to the challenge of it,” he said.

As ALO, the following will become Mr Berger’s new responsibilities:

• Keep the college community informed about the Commission policies, procedures, and activities;
• Promote a campus culture that is concerned about accreditation;
• Promote a campus culture that values a focus on student learning outcomes;
• Make the college's accreditation documents accessible;
• Facilitate Annual Reports;
• Facilitate Substantive Change reports;
• Facilitate other reports to the Commission; and
• Provide information on current Self Study efforts

Mr Berger received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and his master’s degree at Fayetteville State University at North Carolina.

APAFS Country Conference to Take Place at the College again

The College of Micronesia-FSM National Campus will be the venue for the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) on Thursday, September 9, 2010. The conference will take place at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center Practice Court, where finance experts will once again gather at the College.

According to a release from the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies, the series of country conferences is a venue for more sophisticated, in-depth discussions on investment of institutional funds and other topics relevant to fiduciaries of institutional funds. These information-driven gatherings boast of presentations from recognized experts on the latest trends and best practices affecting institutional funds today.

With focus on Managing Trust Funds as Fiduciaries, APAFS will be tapping relevant matters on financial crisis, capital markets, and attendees will take part in a Program of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) Training and “The Prudent Process” led by Philip Mendiola-Long AIF, President & CEO, Sherman Consulting, LLC.

Sponsors of the conference include, Atalanta Sosnoff, Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC, MorganStanley SmithBarney and Sherman Consulting, LLC.

Participants will be well equipped and informed on the following:

• Program of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) Training and “The Prudent Process” by Philip Mendiola-Long
• Equity Markets discussion moderated by Jason Miyashita, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney featuring Kamani Kuala’au, Atalanta Sosnoff Capital, LLC and Mark J. Heath, Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC
• Financial Crisis on a Global Scale/Behavioral Finance by Jason B. Miyashita, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Agenda for the day is as follows:

8:00AM – 8:45AM	Continental Breakfast
8:45AM – 9:00AM	Introduction & Welcoming Remarks
9:00AM – 10:30AM	“The Prudent Process: Part 1” by Philip Mendiola-Long, AIF President & CEO, Sherman Consulting, LLC
10:30AM – 10:45AM	Refreshment Break
10:45AM – 12:00PM	“The Prudent Process: Part 2” by Philip Mendiola-Long, AIF President & CEO, Sherman Consulting, LLC
12:00PM – 1:00PM	Lunch & Presentation: The Current Status of APAFS Mark Heath, APAFS Deputy Executive Director
1:00PM – 2:15PM	“The Prudent Process: Part 3” by Philip Mendiola-Long, AIF President & CEO, Sherman Consulting, LLC
2:15PM – 3:15PM	“The Prudent Process: Part 4” by Philip Mendiola-Long, AIF President & CEO, Sherman Consulting, LLC
3:15PM – 3:30 PM	Refreshment Break
3:30PM – 4:00PM	Financial Crisis on a Global Scale Behavioral Finance Jason B. Miyashita, Vice President, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
4:00PM – 5:00PM	Panel Discussion: Equity Markets Moderator: Jason B. Miyashita, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Kamani Kuala’au, Atalanta Sosnoff Capital, LLC Mark J. Heath, Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC

Registration for the Country Conference is free. For more information about the country conference and APAFS, visit www.apafs.org or email admin@apafs.org.

STAP awards scholarships to COM-FSM students

National Campus, Palikir –The STAP Filipino organization based in Pohnpei gave scholarship awards to seven COM-FSM students. The ceremony took place on August 24, 2010. STAP stands for Samahang Tagalog ATBP at Pohnpei.

Out of 11 scholarship applicants, seven were chosen to receive the scholarship awards amounting to $500 each. The seven students were Laura Fujimoto, Venessa James, Anthony Lukogfunay, William Piki, Fritzgerald Weilbacher, Mylee Mario and Lashauna Wilson.

According to Jojo Pulmano, president of STAP, the organization has been giving away scholarships to COM-FSM students for the past 10 years. He said that the scholarship foundation started on September 2000, with the aim to help COM-FSM students finance their college education. Every year the organization gives away four scholarship awards. This year the STAP leadership decided to give away seven awards instead of the usual four.

College of Micronesia-FSM president, Mr Spensin James along with the vice president for instructional affairs, Ms Jean Thoulag welcomed the STAP officers. President James thanked them on behalf of the College. The STAP officers who visited the National Campus included Jojo Pulamno, Vida Ricafrente, Ramil Ilagan and Rafael Pulmano.

College Job Audit Passes Stages 1 and 2

COM-FSM National Campus, August 11, 2010 – The College of Micronesia-FSM received the preliminary communications relating to its ongoing Job Audit/ Compensation & Benefit study on July 26, 2010. The study is conducted by Alan Searle of Alan Searle & Associates Limited who submitted an executive summary of the first two stages of the study to COM-FSM President, Mr Spensin James.

According to Mr Searle, stage one of the study focused on reestablishing the internal equity of all positions at the college based on job size. Also conducted during this stage was an analysis of the current compensation structure. The study recommended that the college streamline its operations and performance. Stage two of the study focused on gathering external pay data or base salaries against each position evaluated in stage one. The study found that the range and formulas of employee benefits provided by the college to fulltime staff appear comparable among the other regional institutions.

The next stage will be the implementation of the recommendations from the first two stages of the study. According to the executive summary from Mr Searle, the recommended changes will be implemented after endorsement by the Board of Regents. This will involve the introduction of a new pay schedule, the identification of a specific implementation range for each unique position and agreement on the implementation criteria.

A three-page executive summary of the audit report has been sent out to all faculty and staff for review. According to a memorandum issued by President James, Mr Searle and some of the key administrative staff will be visiting all six campuses to meet with faculty, staff and key stakeholders to explain the results and recommendations of the audit report. The visit is scheduled on the first two weeks of September.

This visit is to ensure that campus representatives will bring their concerns regarding the report to the President’s Retreat on September 22-24. The retreat will then make recommendations to be presented to the COM-FSM Board of Regents.

National Campus Begins Fall 2010 with Freshmen Orientation

National Campus, Palikir 186 new students attended the student orientation which started on August 2, 2010 at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center. Faculty, staff and administrators were present during the orientation and were introduced to the new students.

The new students listen attentively to presentations.

In his welcoming remarks, COM-FSM President, Spensin James, welcomed the new students and pointed out some measures the college is putting in place to improve the college's current accreditation situation.

The college invited FSM Assistant Attorney General, Ms. Lorie Johnson-Asher, to speak to the new students as the keynote speaker. In her speech, she encouraged the students to explore the broad boundaries of college life and work hard on their studies to become what they want to be.

The National Campus SBA President, Babyano Retuleilug, joined in the welcoming of the newest members of his association. According to Babyano, the college is a new chapter in their lives that they must look forward to. He warned them that there will be a lot of challenges that will come their way. However, he encouraged them by noting that the college exists to help them in their learning and personal experiences.

The students were engaged in a week of orientation programs and activities that include safety/security briefings, information sharing in matters pertaining to academic and student support, and briefings in other areas like information technology and health services that the college provides. The students were also given counseling assistance to help them decide a suitable course for them.

Kosrae Campus Produces 20 Graduates

Twenty students participated in the graduation ceremony held at COM-FSM Kosrae Campus last July 22, 2010.

Regent Lyndon Cornelius conferred the certificate of achievements and degrees to the graduates who have completed their studies by fall 2009, spring 2010 and summer 2010.

Kosrae Campus students receive cheered by family and friends

The name of the graduates and their courses are as follows:

Certificate of Achievement in Carpentry
Robert Tulensru.

Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Food Technology
Roland George, Norman Jonithan Jr. and Benjamin Neth.

Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology
Moody Kilafwasru, Wallus Lakutak, Benton Nena, Hiroki Noda and Ludick Talley.

A.S. in Teacher Education-Elementary
Tatasy Aliksa, Carlos Cianchini, Kun Elley, Rollinson Jonas, Berswina Lonno, Vertileya Mongkeya, Sorlin Olter, BeeJane Paulino, Edna Shrew, Bond Sigrah, Elaine Wakuk and Tulensru Wakuk.

Mr. Paul Hadik who attended the commencement ceremony on behalf of Governor Weilbacher received the graduates, “come to the department of education and fill out a job application”, he invited. Witnessing the event were state senators, corporate leaders, parents, spouses and children of graduates, Senator Paliknoa Welly, and friends of the College.

US Department of Agriculture Donates Desktop Computers to COM-FSM

COM-FSM, Palikir, July 1, 2010 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Recourses Conservation Services (USDA NCRS), in cooperation with the United States Embassy in the FSM, donated desktop computers to COM-FSM National Campus Agriculture Division.

Acting President Ringlen thanks Ambassador Prahar and Conservationist Lake in front
of a classroom full with agriculture students.

The presentation was made by the US Ambassador to the FSM, Peter Prahar, and NRCS Resource Conservationist, Paul Lake. The two U.S. officials visited the National Campus and handed over the computers to Professor Kiyoshi Phillip, the Chair of the Agriculture Division.

According to Ambassador Prahar, the computers were donated to COM-FSM to help the students when they do their researches and for their other academic needs. Acting President Ringlen Ringlen thanked the two U.S. officials on behalf of the College.

After handing over the computers, Ambassador Prahar and Conservationist Lake toured the agriculture farm where Professor Phillip showed them the farm’s waste fertilizer program.

According to Professor Phillip, this is not the first time that the NRCS has assisted the college. NRCS has helped with the designing of the division’s pig-pens and have also provided national workshops for all the FSM states in the areas of farming, vegetable gardening and fishing. The USDA NCRS has been providing such services to the Free Associated States of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

College puts on "Agriculture is more than Farming" 2010

The College’s Instructional Affairs department in collaboration with Cooperative Research and Extension department, conducted a 5-day Agriculture summer program with the theme ”Agriculture is More Than Farming”.

Participants of the “Agriculture is More than Farming” 2010 program at National Campus

The program organized by CariPac Coordinator Totoa Currie of Pohnpei Campus, attracted a total headcount of 116 student participants. High school students from Calvary Christian Academy, Nanpei Memorial High School, Madewlenhmw High School, Pohnpei agriculture students and some students from COM-FSM, participated in the June 14 – 18 summer program funded by USDA CariPac.

The first three days of workshops were held at Pohnpei Campus and the remaining two days at the FSM–China Friendship Sports Center. For five days, the students were engaged in activities introducing to natural science as fun. The students were also engaged in field trips to Nett Point Pearl farm and the Pilot farm in Madewlenihmw. They learned about career opportunities, new agriculture practices, learning about nutritional value of local food and ways to market it. Students were also introduced to safe water catchment, aquaculture farming such as pearl farming, and government services such as quarantine office that controls and protect the islands natural resources.

Students had fun with lots of food and outdoor games associating with agriculture. One of the student participants claimed that that was the time they had been introduced to agriculture like this, and we look forward to the next summer and hope that there will be more demonstration on how to cook local food in a more traditional way.

Professors from COM-FSM and representatives from FSM government agencies, as well as regional and local NGO’s are served as speakers and facilitators for the summer program.

Yap CRE/AES receives 200K grant

The College of Micronesia-FSM has been selected to receive an award in the amount of $200,000 for the project: Small Farm Outreach and Technical Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Outer Island Population in Yap.

The major goal of the project is to enhance outreach, technical assistance and education efforts to reach the outer island population. According to an award letter from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Advocacy and Outreach, the project will enhance the coordination of outreach, technical assistance and education efforts for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and to provide technical assistance for business creation in the economically challenged rural communities served by the college.

Mr. Anderson Neal Jr., the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher Program Coordinator, thanks the College on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), for submitting the competitive proposal to participate in the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grant Program.

The grant was applied for by Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, the Researcher at the Agricultural Experiment Station of Yap Campus.

The final Grant Award Package will be forwarded to Dr. Muru for his signature within two weeks.

College graduates 113 during spring commencement exercises

The College of Micronesia-FSM National and Pohnpei campuses held their 51st Commencement Exercises on May 14, 2010. The commencement exercises was held at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center. The theme for the Graduation was “Dawn of a new beginning”.

The College honors the two valedictorians, Nick Santiago of National Campus and Deatra Iehsi of Pohnpei Campus. The commencement speaker was the Social Sciences Division Chair Professor Mariana Ben Dereas.

Below are the numbers of graduates from each program at each of the campuses:

BA and AA degree graduates at COM-FSM
Spring 2010 Graduation at the National Campus.

National Campus:

Third Year Certificate of Achievement
Teacher Preparation – Elementary: 5
Accounting: 4
General Business: 3

Associate of Science Degrees
Business Administration: 5
Computer Information Systems: 16
Marine Science: 5
Early Childhood Education: 2

Associate of Arts Degrees
Teacher Preparation: 4
Liberal Arts: 18
Liberal Arts / Health Career Opportunity Program: 7
Micronesian Studies: 7
Liberal Arts / Media Studies: 1

Pohnpei Campus:

Associate of Applied Science Degrees
Hospitality and Tourism Management: 4
Telecommunication Technology: 2
Electronics Technology: 1
Building Technology: 1

Certificate of Achievement
Agriculture and Food Technology: 2
Carpentry: 1

Chuuk Campus:

Associate of Science in Teacher Education – Elementary: 10

Yap Campus:

Associate of Science in Teacher Education – Elementary: 2
Certificate of Achievement in General Studies: 10

Kosrae Campus:

Associate of Science in Teacher Education – Elementary: 2
Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Food Technology: 1

Summer student registration highest in three years

The College of Micronesia-FSM has enrolled 1,590 students as of June 1, 2010. This figure, which excludes the enrollment numbers from Yap Campus, is the highest summer enrollment the College has recorded for the past three summers.

Crowds of students show up at the National Campus
during Summer Registration.

According to Joey Oducado, the College’s registrar, the following are the enrollment figures for each campus:

• National Campus: 837
• Pohnpei Campus: 379
• Chuuk Campus: 340
• Kosrae Campus: 159

Yap Camps will begin their enrollment process next week.

Enrollment figures at the National Campus alone show an increase of 45% compared to summer 2007 figures. All campuses see a steady rise in the number of students registering during summer semesters. This summer’s enrollment figure at the National Campus is higher than last year’s by 20%. Kosrae, the FSM state with the lowest population, is able to increase its enrollment figures since last summer for at least 12%.

Enrollment figures from Yap and FSM-FMI campuses will be made available after next week.

Chuuk Campus recognizes its faculty and staff

The annual incentive award ceremony for Chuuk Campus was held last May 7, 2010 at the Student Services Center. Nine incentive awards and five years of service awards were given to deserving faculty and staff members of COM-FSM Chuuk Campus.The Incentive awards that were given are as follows:

Good Health Award:	Amy Choffat
Student's Choice Award:	Alton Higashi
Community Service Award:	Edson Asito
Teacher of the Year Award:	Myjolynne Kim and Gunaraj Walter John
Award of Recognition:	Sosiro Adolif
Staff of the Year:	Kersweet Eria
Professional Recognition:	Atkin Buliche for earning his Master of Information Systems , Richardson Chiwi for earning his Master of Education in Language and Literacy and Kind Kanto for earning his Master of Science in Environmental Science.

Years of service awards are as follows:

Five Years of Service award: Sosiro Adolif, Miuty Nokar, Marleen Ychiro and Arthur Ilon
Ten Years of Service award: Herner Braiel

COM-FSM holds Fun Walk on May 8

The 2010 COM-FSM fun walk/run was held on the Saturday of last May 8, 2010, at Palm Terrace shopping Center. More than 90 participants joined the event. The participants gathered in front of Palm Terrace shopping center to participate in this activity that promotes health.

Spearheaded by the College’s very own Castro Joab from the recreation division, the event was considered a success. The activity raised an amount of $830.00 which will go directly to college’s endowment fund.

Awards and door prizes were given away to the winners including a cell phone, bicycle, calling cards, cash power cards and other items. This event was not possible without the help of our avid sponsors.

COM-FSM would like to extend its appreciation to the following major sponsors: Ace Hardware, Ace Office Supplies, Bank of FSM, Bank of Guam, Best Buy, Caroline Fisheries Corporation, Do It Best, E.H. Rogue, FSM Telecommunication Corporation, Isamu Nakasone's Store, Moylan's Insurance, Nihco, Palm Terrace, Panuelo Gas Station, Pohnpei Utilities Corporation, Ray & Dor's, Scoobies, Tuna Commission, Visual Impact and Western Union/CTSI.

Members of the public and the College communities
participated during this year’s fun walk/run event.

The overall results of the fun run/walk are as follows:

Ages 12 and under division

• male: Joshua Kapriel - 24minutes & 30 seconds
• female: Mary Alexander - 23minutes & 56seconds

Masters division (50 years and Up)

• male - Genichi Terasawa - 23minutes & 29seconds
• female - Elena Yamada - 32minutes & 24seconds

Students division

• male - Brian Kapriel - 22minutes & 24seconds
• female - Debra Daniel - 37minutes & 24seconds

Staff division

• male - Tom Maui - 37minutes & 19seconds
• female - Jean Thoulag - 1hour: 3minutes: 46seconds

Faculty division

• male - Dana Lee Ling - 29minutes & 50 seconds
• female - Jazmine Gonzales - 55minutes & 9seconds

Overall Winners

• male - Rendy Germinaro - 19minutes & 22seconds
• female - Reloliza Saimon - 22minutes & 47seconds

Our Top Finishers

• Rendy Germinaro - 19minutes & 22seconds
• Miky Laurdine - 21minutes & 19seconds
• Hudson Dadius - 21minutes & 40seconds
• Alifanster Ifamilik - 21minutes & 43seconds
• Rico Joab - 22minutes & 15seconds

COM-FSM students attend Experiential Learning Trip to Palau and Guam

Nine students and three instructors from the College participated in an experiential and entrepreneurial learning trip to Palau and Guam last March 27 – April 1, 2010. The instructors include Tara Tara of Kosrae Campus, Toa Currie of Pohnpei Campus and Kiyoshi Phillip of National Campus. The students include Kenye Lisa Ittu, Pedro Nena and Salik David from Kosrae Campus, Nelson Fredrick, Delson Luke and Monaliza Barnabas of Pohnpei Campus and Rosalinda Silbanuz, Berson Elias and Elfred Alfred from National Campus.

The groups’ first destination was Palau to attend an entrepreneurial opportunities program at Palau Community College, where they were introduced to new agricultural techniques, and other agriculture sciences such as fruit farming, fish feeding, rabbit fish and milk fish farming and many others.

The students concluded their Palau educational trip by visiting places like Jelly Fish Lake, Milky Way (or better known as Rock Island), and Palau Coral Aquarium.

After their four-day stay in Palau, the group headed to Guam for the final four day stretch of their experiential learning trip. The students attended an agri-tourism and aqua-tourism program at University of Guam were they were taken to the Guam flee market and toured a fruit farm through the help of Mr. Hamamoto of the University of Gaum.

On April 30, 2010, the National Campus students who participated in the experiential learning trip gave presentations to the community at National Campus about their trip.

According to Jim Currie, Vice President for Cooperative Research and Extension (VPCRE), based on the report by the students, the trip had a positive impact. “The students are pumped up and more focused on their major, they are now more eager to finish their education and start their own business in agriculture,” he said.

The same group of students will be representing COM-FSM in recruitment efforts at schools and villages around the island as well as promoting Agriculture and Food Technology programs at the College.

Early Registration for Summer 2010

Early Registration for the Summer 2010 session will begin on April 5-9, 2010. After this period, students wanting to take courses during the summer session will have to register during the regular registration period in May. Get the classes you need and want today!

Steps One to Three of the Early Registration Process will begin March 24, 2010. As such, beginning March 24, 2010, students who want to early register for Summer 2010 may:

• Come to Office of Admissions, Records and Retention (OARR) to have their 2010.2 term records activated.
• Pay their registration fees with the Business Office.
• Check their financial aid status or receive financial aid advices at Financial Aid Office.

For inquiries, please see or call:
Office of Admissions, Records and Retention
College of Micronesia-FSM
National Campus
P.O. Box 159
Palikir, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Phone: (691) 320-2480 extensions 150, 136, 171, and 172

National and Pohnpei Campuses Raise over $40K

Palikir, Pohnpei - April 05, 2010 –– Student groups from the National and Pohnpei campuses raised $40,161.64 during this year’s Founding Day fundraising activities.

This fundraising scheme is tied to the College’s Mr and Miss Founding Day bi-annual competitions. The Pohnpeian Students at the National Campus won this year’s Mr and Miss Founding Day titles when they fundraised over $15 K.

According to the College’s common practice for Mr and Miss competitions, all groups that raised at least $1,000 retain 10 per cent of the total amount they raised. The remaining 90 per cent is donated to the College’s Endowment Fund, a fund that the College has created to ensure the long term financial viability of the college in future.

The following are the amounts raised by the student groups:

Student Group	Ranking	Amount Raised
Green Team (Kosraen Students at the National Campus)	4th runner up	$3,006.60
White Team (Chuuk Students at the National Campus)	3rd runner up	$3,134.75
Red Team (Yap Students at the National Campus)	2nd runner up	$3,421.51
Purple Team (Pohnpei Campus Students)	1st runner up	$15,199.05
Blue Team (Pohnpei Students at the National Campus)	Mr & Miss Founding Day	$15, 399.73

WASC Team Visits all COM-FSM Campuses

Palikir, Pohnpei - March 11, 2010 –– The WASC visiting team commenced their official visit at all the College’s six sites on the Monday of March 8, 2010.

Sandra Serrano, Chair of the Visiting Team, is the Chancellor of the Kern Community College District

National and Pohnpei campuses were visited by Team Chair Sandra Serrano, Team Assistant Kate Pluta, team members Douglas Dykstra, Ricardo Navarrette, Sean James, Carolyn Bloch and Mary Ann Laun. Martha Tillman visited Kosrae campus and joined the Pohnpei team members on March 9. David Barney, who visited Yap and FSM-FMI campuses, and Dave Clarke, who visited Chuuk Campus, joined the rest of the team in Pohnpei on March 10.

The team met with members college community and held interviews with the president, vice presidents, directors, coordinators and division chairs, individual faculty groups and students. They also conducted two open forums where the College community and the public were invited to present their questions to the team. According to the College’s accreditation liaison officer, over 60 interviews were conducted with members of the College community.

Most of the interviews were conducted on March 8 and 9. The College has organized a reception for the visitors on the evening of March 11.

The team will conclude their visit on Friday with a meeting between Sandra Serrano and College of Micronesia-FSM President Spensin James. Their meeting will be followed by an exit meeting with President James and with members of the college to share brief observations, comments, and major findings based on the team’s evaluation. The team’s confidential recommendation to the accrediting commission regarding the status of the College will not be disclosed at this time.

Team Assistant Kate Pluta with team members Sean James, Ricardo Navarrette, Mary Ann Laun and Carolyn Bloch at the National Campus open forum.

According to the accrediting commission guidelines, a draft of the team report will be sent to President James for correction of only factual errors. This will take place approximately two weeks after the visit. After the report has been reviewed by team members and submitted by Team Chair Serrano to the accrediting commission office, a copy of the final report will be sent to President James before the commission meets and decides on the status of the College’s accreditation. This will enable the College to be made aware of the team’s recommendations on the standards before the final report is received from the Commission.

The team will conclude their visit with an exit meeting at the National Campus on the morning of Friday, March 12, and will depart Pohnpei in the afternoon.

WASC Visitors to Arrive in the FSM by March 6th

Palikir, Pohnpei - March 3, 2010 –– The members of the WASC team to the College will arrive in the FSM before the official visit to all the College’s six sites. The official visit is scheduled to commence on the 8th of March, 2010.

Three members of the visiting team will begin their visits at Kosrae, Chuuk, Yap and FSM-FMI campuses. The three will arrive at their destinations on March 6, 2010. Dave Clarke will visit Chuuk Campus and will depart for Pohnpei on Wednesday of March 10; Martha Tilmann will visit Kosrae and will depart for Pohnpei on Tuesday of March 9; and David Barney will visit Yap and FSM-FMI campuses and will depart for Pohnpei on the Wednesday of March 10.

The rest of the team members, who will also be arriving on the 6th of March, will visit Pohnpei and National campuses. They include:

• Sandra Serrano, Team Chair
• Kate Pluta, Team Assistant
• Douglas Dykstra
• Ricardo D. Navarrette
• Sean James
• Carolyn Bloch
• Mary Ann Laun

The team will conclude their visit with an exit meeting at the National Campus on the morning of Friday, March 12, and will depart Pohnpei in the afternoon.

The following are the visitors along with short biographical information for each of them:

Sandra Serrano, Team Chair, is the Chancellor of the Kern Community College District, a California Community College three-college district. The district's service area spans 26,000 square miles, across parts of five counties. Student enrollment is 30,000 headcount. There are 374 full time faculty and an equal number of adjunct faculty, 476 classified staff and 78 administrators. Sandra has 30 years of higher education experience that includes serving as a student services director, dean and vice president, adjunct faculty, and college president. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate. She has served on five accreditation teams. This is the fourth team she has chaired.

Kate Pluta, Team Assistant, has taught English at Bakersfield College for over twenty-five years. She has served as Division Chair for Modern Languages, Academic Senate President, and Faculty Association President (CCA). COM-FSM will be her third site visit, her second as assistant.

Douglas Dykstra has been Chancellor of Windward Community College since July 1, 2009. Prior to that he served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Hawai‘i Community College for five years. He began his career in the University of Hawai‘i Community College System as an Instructor in History in 1975 also working as a grant writer and at various mid-level academic administrative posts at Leeward Community College. He has served on one ACCJC visitation team in 2004. His research interests have been in the fields Hawai‘i immigration history and in other state and local history topics.

Martha J. Tilmann, Dean of Special Projects, College of San Mateo. Her responsibilities have included launching an extension of the college and overseeing Study Abroad, Distance Education, and Community Education. Previously she was Dean of Technology, which held a wild range of programs including the Police and Fire Academy, Building Inspection, Electronics, Welding, Multimedia, and others. Before going into administration she taught Computer Science for 16 years.

Ricardo D. Navarrette’s professional career in university and community colleges has spanned over 37 years in three universities and three community colleges. Ricardo has taught composition, creative writing, literature and various counseling courses at the college level. He has been a college counselor, EOPS Director, Upward Bound Director, English instructor, Assistant Dean of Student Development, Dean of Admissions & Records and is presently the Vice President, Student Services at Santa Rosa Junior College.

An active leader in various community organizations, Ricardo has served as President of the Sonoma County "Social Advocates for Youth", was formerly on the executive board of the Community College Chief Student Services Officer Association, now serving on the editor board of the "I-Journal" and was the founding president of the Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Sean James, Vice Chancellor of Operations Management at the Kern Community College District (KCCD). In his six years with the Kern Community College District his assignments have included Internal Auditor, Interim Director of Fiscal Services, and Vice Chancellor of Operations Management. The duties of the Vice Chancellor of Operations Management include development, design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the District’s services. As Internal Auditor Mr. James was responsible for overseeing compliance with the laws and regulations that apply to the Kern Community College District.

Mr. James is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of California and has over 15 years experience auditing California Public School Districts.

Dave Clarke has taught biology at College of the Siskiyous in Northern California for fourteen years. He has been the president of both the Academic Senate and the Faculty Association/CTA. He has been the College’s Self-Study Standard IV Co-Chair in both 2003 and 2009. He will be participating in his third site visit.

David Barney, of De Anza College in Cupertino, California, is on his third accreditation team. Barney came to De Anza as telecommunications dean from Maui Community College, where he was media director from 1980-88. He has experience in organizing distance learning programs and related technology at both institutions and now teaches courses in the film/television department at De Anza, including scriptwriting, television production, and media and society courses. He holds a master's degree from the University of Hawaii and a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware. He has directed news and public affairs programs for ABC Hawaii, public stations in Ohio and Washington D.C., and for the U.S. Army.

Mary Ann Laun, Dean of Library Services at Pasadena City College,
has extensive experience in public, special and academic libraries. She holds a master's degree in Library Science from UCLA and a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Technology from California State University, Los Angeles. She is extensively involved in her campus's planning and technology agendas and serves on state, national, and international library committees. In 2008, Pasadena City College won a national award for Excellence in Academic Libraries. She has participated in nine site visits.

Carolyn Bloch is a Registered Nurse certified as Transcultural Nurse Specialist and in Diversity Management/Customer Service. She holds a certificate in California from the Board of Registered Nursing as Clinical Nurse Specialist. In addition to numerous other achievements, she received her diploma in Nursing from Queen of Angels School of Nursing, a B.A. at Pepperdine University and from Azusa Pacific University received both an M.A. in Education and an M.S. in Nursing. Carolyn Bloch has worked internationally in both the private and public sectors. Her experiences included educational and advisory roles in Mexico and Venezuela. She has lectured extensively on cultural issues for health care providers. Former Certified Transcultural Nurse Specialist and Transcultural / Diversity Consultant for the County of Los Angeles-Department of Health Services. Carolyn Bloch is a faculty at Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health. She is currently assigned to staff development for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Human Resource Department. On January 16, 2009, she was recognized as the 2009 La Opinion’s Mujer Destacada for the Health Category (La Opinion is America’s #1 Spanish-language Daily Newspaper). This is her second accreditation visit.

The College was also notified to expect five more additional members to be named before the March 8 – 11, 2010, visit. More information about the visit will be available later.

College receives names of March visitors

Palikir, Pohnpei - February 3, 2010 –– The College of Micronesia – FSM (COM-FSM) President received today the latest comprehensive evaluation visit team roster. The team will be visiting the College on March 8 – 11.

The following are the names of the team members:

Ms. Sandra Serrano (Chair) Chancellor Kern Community College District 2100 Chester Avenue Bakersfield CA 93301 E-mail: ChancellorOffice@kccd.edu Telephone: 661-336-5104 FAX: 661-336-5025	Mr. David Clarke Instructor College of the Siskiyous 800 College Avenue Weed CA 96094
Mr. David Barney Professor, Film-TV De Anza College c/o 4458 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94114	Mr. Douglas Dykstra Chancellor Windward Community College 45-720 Kea'ahala Road Kane'ohe HI 96744
Ms. Carolyn Bloch Senior Nursing Instructor Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health 1237 North Mission Road Los Angeles CA 90033	Ms. Kate Pluta (Assistant) Professor, English Bakersfield College 1801 Panorama Drive Bakersfield CA 93305 E-mail: kpluta@bakersfieldcollege.edu Telephone: 661-395-4531 FAX: 661-395-4344
Mrs. Mary Ann Laun Assistant Dean, Library Services Pasadena City College 1570 E. Colorado Blvd Pasadena CA 91106	Ms. Martha Tilmann Dean of Technology College of San Mateo 1700 Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo CA 94402
Mr. Ricardo Navarrette Vice President, Student Services Santa Rosa Junior College 1501 Mendocino Avenue Santa Rosa CA 95401-4395

The College was also notified to expect five more additional members to be named before the March 8 – 11, 2010, visit. More information about the visitors will be available later.

Chancellor Serrano completes pre-visit to COM-FSM

COM-FSM President Spensin James
and Chancellor Sandra Serrano at
Pohnpei International Airport.

Palikir, Pohnpei - February 3, 2010 –– Sandra Serrano, chair of the WASC visiting team, has completed her visit to all the COM-FSM six sites.

The pre-visit commenced at Kosrae Campus on January 18 and concluded at Yap and FSM-FMI campuses on January 26, 2010. During the visit, Ms Serrano met with the president, the vice presidents, campus directors, the accreditation liaison officer and other staff to obtain logistical information from the College. The visitor also toured all the college’s six sites.

According to information from Ms Serrano, the pre-visit is an important aspect of the comprehensive visit. It gives her the opportunity to meet key individuals, to become familiar with the College, the physical settings, and achieve a sense of institutional climate and dynamics. The pre-visit will facilitate the logistical arrangements for the team, including access to evidence to support the self study report, and access to computer hardware and software. Another reason for the visit is to determine travel, lodging, and other logistical arrangements for the team, and to develop a preliminary schedule for the team visit, including visits to the College’s six sites.

The pre-visit was conducted in preparation for the College’s comprehensive visit which is scheduled for March 8 – 11, 2010.

Chipen Is First Pohnpei Campus Graduate Of Revived Agriculture and Food Technology Certificate Program

Valentine awaits his award
during fall 2009 graduation.

Palikir, Pohnpei - January 12, 2009 - The College of Micronesia –– Valentine Chipen became the first graduate from the revamped Agriculture and Food Technology Certificate of Achievement program since it started in the fall 2008 in Pohnpei. Valentine is the son of Michael and Micheala Satowan of Chuuk State.

During the fall semester 2008, the College reestablished the agriculture certificate program and started offering it at Pohnpei campus in addition to Kosrae campus. According to the college, lack of interest in the program contributed to the low enrollment and eventually to the discontinuation of the offering of the program at Pohnpei campus.

In fall 2008 a total of 10 students from Pohnpei Campus enrolled in the Agriculture and Food Technology Certificate of Achievement Program. In 2009 the number increased to 34 fulltime students. Valentine is the first of the 2008 cohort to graduate.

The agriculture and food technology certificate of achievement program is operated through assistance from the FSM office of Economic Affairs; Pohnpei State Department of Agriculture; and the College’s Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) Program, which provides much of the teaching needed and external funding through the CariPac program. The CariPac program is received by the College through the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill.

The CariPac fund is for educational programs in Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Food related sciences. The acronym refers to the US affiliated areas in the Caribbean and the Pacific regions. The institutions involved are: University of the Virgin Islands; University of Puerto Rico; University of Guam; American Samoa Community College; Northern Marianas College; Palau Community College; and College of the Marshall Islands and College of Micronesia - FSM.

Chancellor Serrano To Conduct Pre Visit To COM-FSM Before March Visit

Chancellor Sandra Serrano
Chair of Visiting Team
(Image from http://www.kccd.edu)

Palikir, Pohnpei - January 12, 2009 - The College of Micronesia –– Sandra Serrano, chair of the WASC team that will visit the College of Micronesia – FSM in March for the College’s compressive evaluation, will be visiting the College’s six sites during mid January 2010. Serrano is also the Chancellor for Kern Community College District.

As chair of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visiting team, Serrano will be gathering logistical information about the College as well as the islands to ensure that her team members and she will be able to complete their March visit effectively and efficiently within the time given.

As a member institution of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the College of Micronesia - FSM undergoes a periodic comprehensive evaluation. The evaluation includes a self study and the compilation of a report which is submitted to the commission every six years. Following the submission of the report is a visit by a team comprising of members from other ACCJC member colleges and from the commission. The visiting team then submits another report to ACCJC. The final part of the comprehensive evaluation includes the meeting and final decision by the accrediting commission regarding the accreditation status of the College. The final decision is based on the institution’s self study report and the report by the visiting team.

According to information from the COM-FSM president’s office, the following will be Serrano’s tentative travel arrangement to the campuses:

• January 15, departs Honolulu;
• January 15, arrives at Kosrae;
• January 19, departs Kosrae;
• January 19, arrives at Pohnpei;
• January 21, departs Pohnpei;
• January 21, arrives at Chuuk;
• January 23, departs Chuuk;
• January 23, arrives at Yap via Guam;
• January 27, returns to Guam; and
• January 27, takes connecting flights to Honolulu.

The actual visit by the team is scheduled for March 8 – 11, 2010.

College submits self study report to WASC

Palikir, Pohnpei - January 8, 2009 - The College of Micronesia –– FSM (COM-FSM) submitted its self study report to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) on December 30, 2009.

As an institution affiliated with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of WASC, the College of Micronesia – FSM accepts the obligation to undergo periodic evaluation through self study and professional peer review. The heart of this obligation is the conducting of a rigorous self study during which the College appraises itself in terms of the Commission Standards in accordance with the College’s stated purposes. The submitted report was based on the study conducted.

The 263-page report is available on the College’s website at http://www.comfsm.fm/Accreditation/report/COM-FSM%20Self%20Study%202010.pdf.

Self study is part of a three-part process of accrediting an institution. This process includes an institutional self appraisal, an on-site visit by a team of peers, and a review and a decision on the accredited status of the college by the Commission. The institutional self appraisal results in the self study report, which is an analysis of the on-going and systematic activities and achievements of an institution. The aim of self appraisal is to assess how well an institution meets Accreditation Standards, Eligibility Requirements, and policies of the Commission and to stimulate improvement of educational quality and institutional performance.

The first goal of accreditation is quality assurance to the public. The second goal of accreditation is to help an institution improve attainment of its own mission—improving student learning and student achievement.

Six years ago (2004), the College sent another self study report to WASC which described an institution that showed many areas that needed improvement. The College was visited by a team from the Commission during March 2004. After the visit and a subsequent evaluation by the Commission, the college was placed on “Warning” by the Commission with recommendations for improvement. After some significant improvements, the College’s accreditation status was reaffirmed in 2005.

According to the 2009 self study report, the College’s intends to describe an institution which plans what it wants to do; evaluate and assesses what it plans; improves based on assessment results; allocates resources accordingly; and communicates these results within and outside of the college.

A Comprehensive Self Study is required every six years following initial accreditation.

Board approves increase of Technology Fee

Palikir, Pohnpei - December 16, 2009 - The College of Micronesia – FSM Board of Regents at its December meeting in Yap gave their approval to increase the current technology fee to $100. The new increase will go into effect during spring 2010 semester.

According to the College administration, the new change will be applicable to all students including those who have pre registered during November this year.

The change in fee will help pay costs to improve Internet services at the College, help shoulder costs of replacing aging communications technology network equipment at all six campuses, and the rising need to keep technology upgraded at all campuses.

The College also considered that the rise in funds will also provide more flexibility in terms of being able to purchase more technical equipments for the college, for students and potentially for others. One of the goals for the use of the technology fee will be to maximize as much bandwidth as possible.