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.