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.