College of Micronesia-FSM

College Installs Informational Panel at National Campus

2011-05-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

Student reading news on the new information panel.

COM-FSM's Information Technology (IT) office installed a 42 inch flat screen informational panel at the National Campus Administration Building. The information panel pilot project will be used to deliver college related information to students, faculty, staff and visitors of the campus. The panel will display news, emergency alerts, event announcements and other information from the college.

The pilot project is a move towards improving the College's communications capabilities and ability to disseminate information to its constituents. The project began by request of former President Spensin James.

The information panel is remotely controlled and its contents are simultaneously updated along with the college’s website and the myShark portal news and information sections. The pilot testing will end by summer 2011. The college hopes to deploy this technology at all its campuses.

Interim President Accepts Resignation by Vice President

2011-05-03T22:46:00.002-07:00

The COM-FSM Interim President, Mr Ringlen Ringlen, accepted a resignation letter from Ms Jean Thoulag as vice president for instructional affairs. Vice President Thoulag submitted her letter of resignation on April 18, 2011.

Jean Thoulag, Vice President for Instructional Affairs

In her letter, Vice President Thoulag cited personal reasons and a desire to return to the United States for some time as her reasons for resigning. She chose to alert the college of her decision ahead of time in order to provide the college and those within her department the opportunity for a smooth transition.

On behalf of the college, Interim President Ringlen thanked her for her 14 years of honorable service to the college. He acknowledged her contributions to the college especially in her former capacity as the coordinator of the Title III project, then as the director of the learning resources center, and eventually as the vice president for instructional affairs.

Ms Thoulag expressed her gratitude to the college and her interest to assist the college in the future when she returns to Micronesia. In response, Mr Ringlen invited her to consider reemployment at the college in the future.

New Metropolitan WiFi deployment pilot project at National Campus

2011-05-03T22:46:00.001-07:00

COM-FSM's Information Technology (IT) office has deployed and is testing a new metropolitan wireless access pilot project, fittingly named COMFSMWiFi. The goal of the project is to blanket the entire national campus with wireless access. Pending the success of the pilot project, it will be replicated at all six COM-FSM campuses.

IT will be conducting an informational session on the subject on Thursday May 5, 20011 at 3:30PM at MITC. A brief review of the college's proposed Wireless Policy and a Howt-to demonstration will be presented.

Board to Request Supplemental Funding from Congress

2011-05-03T22:45:00.001-07:00

The COM-FSM Board of Regents at their March 14-15, 2011, meeting agreed to request supplemental funding from the FSM Congress. The supplemental request is intended to cover the expenses associated with the board's reflection sessions for this fiscal year, the presidential search committee and the hiring of a consultant to help the college understand more about how college foundations work.

Students Now Have Option to Pay Only $15 during Registration

2011-05-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Board of Regents acted to require student to pay only $15 during registration instead of the original $50. According to the college, the original $50 that students were required to pay during registration includes a registration fee of $15, a health fee of $15 and an activity fee of $20. Instead of requiring students to pay for the entire amount during registration, student now have the option to only pay the registration fee of $15 during registration. The health and activity fees may be paid after the student receives his or her financial aid award.

COM-FSM Signs MOU with Zhejiang Ocean University

2011-04-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

COM-FSM hosted a dinner reception at the Village Hotel for the guests from the Zhejiang Open University

Representatives from Zhejiang Ocean University visited the College of Micronesia-FSM on April 12-13 to renew and sign a second memorandum of understanding between the two institutions. The updated memorandum of understanding for cooperation maintained the “sister institution” relationship that existed between the two higher education institutions. The delegation from ZOU was led by Vice President WU Changwen and Director of International Exchange and Cooperation Professor LU Huaqing.

Besides the relationship that the two institutions share, the MOU reinforced the commitment to cooperate in student and faculty exchange programs, and to offer full scholarships for up to 10 students to attend any ZOU bachelor or master’s degree program. Faculty may be exchanged between the ZOU and COM-FSM either as guest lecturers or longer term instructors. ZOU also offered to support a COM-FSM faculty to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral studies. A proposal to co-host a China-FSM marine biology workshop was presented.

Currently, Elijah Tarofmal of Yap, a COM-FSM marine science graduate, is attending Zhejiang Ocean University under a full scholarship program. He has completed one year of Chinese language training and is now taking his major courses in marine biology. According to Director Lu, Elijah is doing well and ZOU would like to invite more students like him.

The guests had a brief tour of the National Campus, where they met with Interim President Ringlen Ringlen, Vice President for Instructional Affairs Jean Thoulag and Vice President for Cooperative Research and Extension services Jim Currie. JICA Senior Volunteer Dr Mori Hamada gave a presentation on fisheries resources processing for the visitors. The guests also visited the sea cucumber and pearl hatchery at Nett Point and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

An evening reception was held at the Village Hotel along with entertainment by Professor Chen’s COM-FSM Chinese I students. The Charge d’Affairs for the People’s Republic of China Embassy was also at the reception to meet the group from ZOU.

The other representatives from Zhejiang Ocean University include Vice Dean for the School of Food and Pharmacy, Professor DENG Shanggui; Vice Dean for the School of Fisheries and Shipping, Professor SONG Weihua; and Vice Dean for the School of Naval Architecture and Civil Engineering Professor, LI Qiang.

Zhejiang Ocean University is located on Zhoushan Island, off the north east coast of China in Zhejiang Province.

College Notifies Occupants of Affected Positions

2011-04-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Supervisors throughout the college served layoff notices to all employees whose positions were selected for elimination through the job audit and streamlining study on April 6, 2011. A total of 17 fulltime staff positions and 7 part time staff positions will be eliminated.

June 6, 2011, is the effective date for the termination of employment for all 17 employees whose positions were identified in the study. Affected employees who are on special contracts were informed that their contracts will not be renewed. All of these employees are from the National, Pohnpei and Chuuk campuses. Thirteen out of the 17 are from Pohnpei and National campuses and the other four are from Chuuk Campus.

As part of the layoff notices that were served to the affected employees, a list of nonteaching vacant positions was also provided. From April 7 to April 21, the affected employees are given the opportunity to apply for any of these positions, for which they qualify. Ad hoc committee screening of the applications by the employees will commence on April 22 and end by April 29.

The Human Resources Office is scheduling workshops on resume and job interview skills for these employees. The college is utilizing the services of Pohnpei Business Development Center in providing training on how to run small businesses.

The employees, who submitted their applications for any of the vacant positions, will be notified whether they are accepted or not. All employees who are accepted will be transferred to the new positions by June 6, 2011. The remaining employees will be presented a severance package. The severance package contains the remaining salary for the current fiscal year from June 6-September 30, 2011, plus 240 hours of accumulated leave time.

College Delays Job Audit/ Streamlining Recommendations Implementation

2011-03-29T17:04:00.001-07:00

The College of Micronesia-FSM has delayed the implementation of the job audit and streamlining recommendations one week late. The original implementation date of March 30 is now changed to April 6, 2011.

This change was made to accommodate the need for the COM-FSM Board of Regents to review a policy that will guide the implementation process. The layoff notice date is changed to April 6, 2011.

The following actions are expected to take place after the layoff notices are issued:

Vacant positions filled – a period of sixty days will commence on April 6, where the college will prepare the affected employees to apply for vacant positions at the college or seek employment elsewhere
Public Health and Nursing programs transfer from National Campus to Pohnpei Campus
ACE Program transfer from Pohnpei Campus to National Campus
College leadership visit campuses and government leaders to provide updates
Assessment of job audit and streamlining processes and outcomes

Specific dates for the above items will be identified by the college at a later date.

The recommendations to move faculty and staff to more competitive salary scales and to streamline operations at the college were approved by the COM-FSM Board of Regents at its December 2010 meeting.

College to Implement Job Audit/ Streamlining Recommendations

2011-03-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

The College of Micronesia-FSM is preparing to execute a series of actions as part of the implementation of the job audit and streamlining recommendations by March 30, 2011. The recommendations to move faculty and staff to more competitive salary scales and to streamline operations at the college were approved by the COM-FSM Board of Regents at its December 2010 meeting.

According to the human resources office, the college is currently processing personnel actions for faculty and staff in response to the job audit recommendations. Layoff notices will be given to employees whose positions were identified as redundant through the streamlining study by March 30, 2011.

The following actions are expected to take place after the layoff notices are issued:

Vacant positions filled – a period of sixty days will commence beginning at the end of March where the college will prepare the affected employees to apply for vacant positions at the college or seek employment elsewhere
Public Health and Nursing programs transfer from National Campus to Pohnpei Campus
ACE Program transfer from Pohnpei Campus to National Campus
College leadership visit campuses and government leaders to provide updates
Assessment of job audit and streamlining processes and outcomes

Specific dates for the above items will be identified by the college at a later date.

Board Accepts COM-FSM President’s Resignation

2011-03-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

The COM-FSM Board of Regents has accepted the resignation of Spensin James as president and chief executive officer of the college. This is made in response to a request made by the president.

According to instructions from the board chair, the Vice President for Student Services, Mr Ringlen Ringlen, immediately assumes the role of acting president.

In his resignation letter of March 10, 2011, President James thanked the board for allowing him to work with the members for over seven years.

According to his letter, the president wishes to continue his relationship with the college as a faculty member. Before becoming an administrator, the president served as a professor with the math and science division.

Commission Team to Visit College in April

2011-03-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

The college will be visited in April by a three-member team as set forth by the commission during its June 2010, meeting.

During their June 9-11, 2010, meeting, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) acted to place the college on warning and required the college to undergo the submission of a follow-up report and a visitation. A follow-up report was submitted by the college accreditation liaison officer, Mr Jon Berger,

on March 15, 2011. The next step would be to receive the visitors, which is currently scheduled for April 11-13, 2011.

According to a letter from President Barbara Beno of the ACCJC to COM-FSM President Spensin James, the visiting team will devote its attention primarily to the following matters as identified in the Action Letter of June 30, 2010:

Recommendation 1. Improving Institutional Effectiveness and Leadership and Governance. To fully meet this standard, the team recommends the college evolve its communication efforts to ensure broad-based participation and encourage purposeful dialogue in which all stakeholders participate in the exchange of different points of view and reflections that lead to genuine communication and participatory governance (LBA, IV.A.3). With regard to Recommendation 1, the Commission requires that COM-FSM also regularly evaluate the effectiveness of its participatory governance system in helping the institution to achieve its educational mission and to provide quality educational services.
Recommendation 2. Improving Institutional Effectiveness. To fully meet this standard, the team recommends that the various plans of the college be integrated into the development of a comprehensive long-range educational master plan that is linked to and includes a long-range budget plan (lB4, IILD).
Recommendation 6. Physical Resources. To fully meet this standard, the college must develop a facilities master plan that reflects the institution's long term educational goals and plans and is linked to an identified, reliable, and ongoing funding source that supports the total cost of facilities ownership (IILB.2.a).
Recommendation 7. Technology Resources. To fully meet this standard, the team recommends that the college systematically assess its use and need for technology and use the results to develop a new technology plan that is guided by the college's strategic goals and educational master plan (III.C. IILC.la-d, III.C.2).
Recommendation 8. Financial Resources. To fully meet this standard, the team recommends that the college systematically integrate financial resources planning with the various college plans into a comprehensive master plan that is directly linked to the budget planning and allocation process (IILD.I.a).
Recommendation 9. Decision-making Roles and Process. To fully meet this standard, the team recommends that the college evaluate its organizational structure and governance processes to ensure that college stakeholders are involved in decision making processes and that the results of systematic evaluations, meetings, and decisions are broadly communicated (IV.A.I, IV.A.2, IV.Ao2.b, IVA.A.3, IV.A.S, IV.B.1.a, IV.B.2.a-b,
IV.B.2.b, IV.B.2.e).

After the visit, the team chair will prepare a short report which will be presented to the Commission at its June 8-10, 2011, meeting. The college will be informed of its accreditation status after the Commission June meeting.

The three-member team includes the following:

Sandra Serrano, the 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. The Kern Community College District has a student enrollment of 30,000 by 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. She was the chair for the last team that visited the college.

Douglass 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. He served on the last team that visited the college.

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. He also served on the last team that visited the college.

COM-FSM Board of Regents to Hold Next Meeting in Yap

2011-03-01T15:58:00.000-08:00

The College of Micronesia-FSM Board of Regents will hold its meeting for the quarter in Yap from March 14 – 15, 2011. Board meetings are open to the general public. The following is the agenda for the meeting:

Call to order; opening prayer
Reading of mission statement
Roll call; declaration of quorum
Approval of minutes

December 8-9, 2010, regular meeting

Communications
Regents' reports
President's reports (summary of progress and concerns)

President

Chuuk Campus
FSM FMI
Kosrae Campus
Pohnpei Campus
Yap Campus

Instructional Affairs
Student Services
Cooperative Research and Extension (Land Grant)
Administrative Services

Administrative Divisions

Faculty/Staff Senate
Student Body Association
Accreditation

Old Business
1. Responses to Chairman's letter
2. Update on streamlining/conversion process
New Business

Finance
1. Reduction of required out-of-pocket contribution
2. Replacement of large value equity manager
3. Board budget shortfall
Personnel
1. Revisions to Section VII Employment Contract policy
Miscellaneous
1. Energy management policy

Executive Session

Evaluation of President

Next Meeting
Adjournment

Kosrae Campus COMET schedule

2011-02-07T14:25:00.001-08:00

What:	COMET (COM Entrance Test)
When:	Friday February 11, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Where:	At COM-FSM, Kosrae Campus Venue will be announced at a later date
Requirements:	Come on time with your five ($5.00) dollar test fee and a calculator. Pencils will be provided.

Note: If you would like to change programs from a Certificate program to Degree bound program, taking the COMET is your opportunity to do so. Kulo ma lulap and see you at the "COMET".

For more information, please contact telphone number (691) 370-3191, or email kosrae@comfsm.fm.

Pohnpei Campus COMET schedule

2011-02-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

What:	COMET (COM Entrance Test)
When:	February 9, 10 and 11 @ 8:30AM – 12:00PM
Where:	Student Services Center
Requirements:	$5.00, pencil, pen and calculator. Sign up with Student Services Staff to take it during yourFREE time.

For more information, please contact telphone number (691) 320-3795, or email pohnpei@comfsm.fm.

Pohnpei Campus Gear Up Proposal is Selected For Funding

2011-02-07T14:23:00.001-08:00

The Pohnpei Campus director was notified by the GEAR Up program officer that the campus’ grant proposal was selected for funding. The notification was sent via email from GEAR Up Program Officer Francesca Paris-Albertson to Pohnpei Campus Director Penny Weilbacher on September 29, 2010.

According to the information contained in the email, the project is expected to be funded for six years with an annual funding of $289,000. This grant is made available by the United States Department of Education under Section 404 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

The GEAR UP or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program grant awarded to COM-FSM Pohnpei Campus is a partnership grant involving ten community partners. The project will serve a single cohort of 7th graders from six target elementary schools by providing rigorous academic coursework, mentoring, and counseling through after school study sessions and intensive summer programs. Increased parental and community involvement in education and professional development of teachers are two major key components of the program, which was designed to strengthen classroom instruction. The program will follow the cohort through the six-year duration of the grant.

The six target elementary schools include Kolonia, Ohmine, Nett, Awak, Saladak, and Sekere. According to Director Weilbacher, the College is very grateful for the pledges from the community to support the grant, especially their major partner, Pohnpei State Department of Education (PDOE). Other partners who pledged their support for the program include Pohnpei State Department of Health Services (PSDHS), Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP), Micronesia Red Cross Society (MRCS), Pohnpei Public Library (PPL), Bank of the FSM, Micronesian Seminar (MicSem), Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP), Pohnpei Catholic Youth Organization, and Parental Organization.

According to Director Weilbacher, Pohnpei Campus will enforce its commitment to assist the PDOE in the task of bridging the gap between elementary schools and high schools, and between high schools and the College. Other efforts by the campus to help bridge the gap include two other U.S. federal programs, namely the Educational Talent Search (ETSP), and Upward Bound Program (UBP).

Faculty and Staff Satisfaction Survey

2010-11-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-21T00:11:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-09-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-10T15:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-18T20:33:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-05T22:18:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-02-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-13T22:15:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-13T22:09:00.000-08:00

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.

College plans to increase technology fee by 50 dollars

2009-12-03T21:19:00.001-08:00

Palikir, Pohnpei - December 4, 2009 - The College of Micronesia – FSM will be proposing to the Board of Regents at its December meeting in Yap to increase the current technology fee to $100. This will be the first increase since 1997.

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. According to the College’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Committee, a committee that advises the college president on communication and technology issues, one of the goals for the use of the technology fee will be to maximize as much bandwidth as possible.

The increase is sufficient now for at least 5 years, instead of increasing the fee fund twice in another 5 years period. The effort is to have the increase in effect by spring 2010. The technology fee can be charged to the Pell Grant for eligible students.

Hearings are being conducted at all campuses and the results of the hearings will be submitted to the Board of Regents for their consideration.

College of Micronesia – FSM receives funding from U.S. DOA Farm Bill

2009-12-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

Palikir, Pohnpei - November 30, 2009 - Since 2005, the Vice President Cooperative Research and Extension (VP-CRE) in collaboration with Vice President Instructional Affairs (VPIA) has received funding directly under the US Department of Agriculture Farm Bill. This fund is for educational programs in Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Food related sciences. This program is known as CARIPAC. 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; College of the Marshall Islands and COM-FSM.

Pohnpei Campus Agriculture Certificate students gathering
soil samples. Alten Lorens – holding shovel, Moyleen Tolena,
Valentine Chipen & Wainer Kihleng

Phase I of CARIPAC emphasized an evaluation of the institutions readiness to prepare and deliver programs through Distance Education. This evidence led to a change to improving facilities and systems to deliver programs through conventional means. Accomplishments through Phases II and III included the development of a Certificate in Agriculture program at Pohnpei Campus and the provision of the first ‘Smart-Boards” to all campuses. Three staff or students from COM-FSM participated in training at the Univ. of Puerto Rico and the Chair for Agriculture Program was sponsored to attend the US National Small Farms Conference. Two students received scholarships to attend University of Guam.

Agriculture Instruction Chair, Kiyoshi Phillip
conducts recruitment at PICS High School

In Phase III and increasingly in Phase IV and V, the focus is changing to include training for Public School teachers and programs leading to improving the transition from High School to college and retention programs within the college. To accomplish these goals a project coordinator has been hired. Phase IV and V are funded through signed Memoranda of Understanding with the University of Guam as the Program Administering Institution.

Phase I started with just over $48,000. Currently Phase IV provides $80,500 and Phase V increased to $86,468.50. This increase has allowed the planned purchase of scientific, instructional and connectivity equipment, training and scholarships. This year CariPac funding will provide 1 scholarship at the University level, 5 for AS students and 5 for students of certificate programs in each of Kosrae and Pohnpei. Criteria for these scholarships will be finalized and announced before the beginning of the spring 2010 semester. As part of our recruitment and retention we are arranging a trip for outstanding agriculture students to see what facilities are available in Palau and Guam; to help encourage our students to consider careers in agriculture, entrepreneurial actions or continued studies at the University of Guam as part of our CariPac collaborative effort.

New Chuuk Campus 300 KW generator provides continuous power

2009-11-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Palikir, Pohnpei - November 2, 2009 -The College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) has installed a new generator to provide continuous power at Chuuk Campus. The Denyo 300 KW generator went into operation on October 10, 2009.

The new generator replaced an older generator which provided only 90 KW of power to supplement the frequent power outages in Chuuk for Chuuk Campus. The Denyo 300 KW generator is capable of providing power to the entire campus. It produces less noise and is located to the northern end of the campus to prevent disruption to classes. The generator was installed by Chuuk Public Utility Corporation staff and coordinated by COM-FSM’s Alfred Olter.

According to Chuuk Campus Director, Joakim Peter, the new generator promoted a feeling of assurance among faculty and students especially when instruction can be carried out without interruption. The new generator alternates power generation with the island power with a downtime of less than three minutes to switch between the two power sources.

A general practice was encouraged at Chuuk Campus for machines and devices that use electric power to be switched off if not in use.

The Chuuk State leaders are currently trying to secure legislative mandate to allocate some money to support power generation for the campus.

Second Exchange Student to Ryukyus Returns

2009-10-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

Palikir, Pohnpei - October 5, 2009 - Laura Fujimoto of Pohnpei is back at the National Campus after completing two semesters at Ryukyus under a student exchange program between the institution and the College of Micronesia – FSM. Ms Fujimoto is currently taking classes at the National Campus during this fall 2009 semester.

Ms Laura Fujimoto completed two semesters of study as an exchange student at the University of Ryukyus during academic year 2008-2009. At Ryukyus, Laura studied Basic Japanese, Conversational Japanese, Kanji, Japanese Culture, Japanese History, and American Culture and Society. She returned to COM-FSM this fall 2009 to continue her studies as agreed to between the two institutions.

Laura was awarded the Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship which provides monthly stipends for 11 months and relocation allowance which provides for airfare and other miscellaneous costs associated with her stay in Japan.

Ms Fujimoto majors in Business Administration and is also a member of the COM-FSM chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

During 2007-2008 academic year, Ms Charlene Arthur, also from Pohnpei went to the same university under the same program.

The College of Micronesia-FSM also has a partnership BA Program in Elementary Education with the University of Guam and articulation agreements with University of Guam, University of Hawaii-Hilo, Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, Eastern Oregon State University, San Diego State University, Guam Community College, Honolulu Community College, University of Phoenix, University of Idaho, Brigham Young University (Honolulu) and National University.

Erik Olter and Lewi-Rose Sigrah to Represent FSM at Geneva World Telecom 2009

2009-09-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Palikir, Pohnpei - September 01, 2009 - Erik W Olter and Lewi-Rose Sigrah were selected and approved to attend the World Telecom 2009 Youth Forum in Geneva. They will be representing the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) at the forum.

Olter from national campus and Sigrah from Pohnpei state campus were among a group of second-year students who submitted essays during last March for consideration on the topic of "What is the biggest problem in your community and how would you use information communication technologies to solve it?"

Each campus submitted the names of a male and female student for consideration. A team of essay reviewers from the college and the national government reviewed all essay entries and recommended Olter and Sigrah to the World Telecom 2009 Youth Forum organizers who accepted their nomination.

The forum will take place in Switzerland during the month of October.

Lewi-Rose Sigrah is still attending the College of Micronesia - FSM while Erik Olter has transferred to the University of Hawaii. The two will be contacted directly by the event organizers.

Students Participate In Summer Science Research and Student Internships

2009-08-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

Several College of Micronesia – FSM students participated in research projects, presented research projects and experienced commercial fishing in the Arctic region during the summer of 2009.

According to Instructor Brian Lynch, students Herbert Timothy and Jesse Panuel accompanied him to Hawaii where they presented their summer research projects at the Islands of Opportunity-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Students Participation program, which supports students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Herbert Timothy presented a project titled "Diversity and Distribution of Sicydiine Gobies in the Streams of Pohnpei, FSM" while Jesse Panuel presented his project titled "Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Preference of an undescribed species of blind snake on Ant Atoll, FSM." Panuel was mentored under Dr. Donald Buden.

In addition Leinson Neth, Jacobson Kibby, and Paulino Balagot all participated in the Undergraduate Research Mentoring (URM) program. All three students spent ten weeks in Hawaii working with UH researchers and graduate students, and completing individual research projects.

Another student John Dale Charley was also selected and attended a two-month long summer program called the “Alaska Experience”. The program takes students to Alaska during summers to experience life in Alaska including commercial fishing. This program was created by sponsored by professors Ray Verg-in and Yenti Verg-in.

According to Instructor Brian Lynch, summer internships, research projects, and experiences including the presentations by Herbert and Jesse's projects in Hawaii provided hands on experience in research and presentation to the students to enhance their science skills.

A symposium on the summer activities is being planned for presentation at the college.

COM-FSM Is Party To A $867K To Support Health Education Programs In Micronesia

2009-08-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

The College of Micronesia – FSM is a party to a program for the Guam/Micronesia Area Health Education Center (AHEC) which was recently funded. The partners under the program include the University of Guam (UOG), the University of Hawaii (UH), the Guam Community College (GCC), the College of Micronesia – FSM (COM-FSM), the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), and the Pacific Islands Health Officers Association (PIHOA). The UOG has been designated as the office for the program

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded $867K in funding to UOG for the first year of a three-year grant that supports the improvement of individual and community health throughout Micronesia by recruiting and training additional health care professionals.

According to Maria Salomon Director of Nursing at the University of Gaum and Guam/Micronesia AHEC program office director, Area Health Education Centers will be established in Guam, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The goal of the Guam/Micronesia AHEC is to improve the health of the underserved through collaborative regional training initiatives across the Micronesian region. This area has some of the highest health workforce shortage ratings, and greatest health and education disparities in the US. 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. The grant objectives include:

Improve the diversity of the health professions workforce by mentoring and providing health career activities for over 1,200 underrepresented minority students per year.
Improve the distribution of the health care workforce in Micronesia by providing local/on-island interdisciplinary training for more than 150 students a year.
Improve the quality and retention of the health workforce in Micronesia by providing culturally relevant continuing education to more than 780 medical providers.

According to Salomon, the program will begin with recruitment activities throughout the region at the elementary level in order to familiarize young students with health care professions. She also said the program will be created to train students based on the health care needs of each particular area served by the centers. Training and continuing education programs will include curricula for nurses, dental workers, technicians, public health professionals, and physicians, among others.

For its part, the College of Micronesia – FSM has launched its first Public Health Training Program by Fall 2009 semester and is currently developing its own nursing program to be launched when approved. Both programs are expected to receive assistance from the AHEC grant.

Alumni Executives Appoint Members to Fundraising Committee

2009-07-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

College of Micronesia-FSM

The officers of the Community College of Micronesia and College of Micronesia – FSM Alumni Association (CCAA) made their first act by appointing members to the Alumni Fundraising Committee.

The fundraising committee members include Joysleen Daniel, Taylor Elidok, Strickson Fredrick, Mayson Fredrick, Amanda Jack, Josephine James Saimon, Ruthy Lebehn, Daisy Nanpei Cantero, Jean Welles and Xavier Yarofmal. As the treasurer for CCAA executive committee, Amanda Jack is the chair of the newly created fundraising committee.

The creation of the committee was made in response to the terms of reference (TOR) for the College of Micronesia – FSM’s Endowment Fundraising Steering Committee. Besides establishing the alumni committee, the TOR also calls for the creation of fundraising committees for each campus, for the international community and for government entities.

CCAA was established on the evening of May 12, 2009, after the college hosted a dinner for all CCM and COM-FSM alumni. The event included the election of the new association’s executive committee, which include Wayne Mendiola as President, Pelma Palik as Vice President, Amanda Jack as Treasurer and Pamela Joseph as Secretary. CCAA was the first alumni association created since April 1993.

The CCAA executive committee held their first meeting on June 9th, the second meeting on July 21st, and on July 24, 2009. Besides creating the new fundraising committee, the CCAA executive committee has completed the association’s bylaws and is currently working to incorporate the new association.

Other plans discussed by CCAA executive committee include the need to provide a venue for alumni interaction.

Community College of Micronesia and College of Micronesia-FSM Alumni Association (CCAA) Executive Committee

Pamela Joseph (Secretary), Amanda Jack (Treasurer), Wayne Mendiola (President), Pelma Palik (Vice President)

First Reported case of Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 in the Federated States of Micronesia

2009-07-29T20:36:00.001-07:00

College of Micronesia-FSM

On July 20, 2009, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) National Department of Health and Social Affairs was notified of the country's first laboratory confirmed human case of Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1.

The confirmed case is a 27-year-old male from the main island of Weno in the state of Chuuk, FSM. The patient developed a headache, fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose on 2 July, and was seen at Chuuk State Hospital on 3 July, where he tested negative on a local rapid test. Samples were forwarded to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Melbourne, Australia, where testing confirmed Pandemic H1N1 on 17 July. The patient reported no travel history and no contact with sick animals. He had recently been vaccinated for seasonal influenza.

The patient was advised home quarantine. He was not given antivirals and he recovered without complication. His contacts are in the process of being evaluated.

The Chuuk State Department of Health and Services, with assistance of the FSM National Department of Health and Social Affairs, is continuing its ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of influenza in the community. These efforts include providing health alerts to travelers at points of entry, carrying out respiratory triage at healthcare centers to avoid spread of respiratory illness to these facilities, isolating patients at home or in the hospital and providing recommended care, following up of contacts, and providing education to the community.

The confirmation of pandemic influenza in the FSM does not change the mitigation measures that have already been in place, but serves as a reminder of the importance of carrying out these activities with renewed vigor.

The public is reminded of the importance of good hygiene and respiratory etiquette, avoiding close contact with ill individuals, staying home from work or school when they are sick, and seeking appropriate medical care if experiencing respiratory symptoms.

WASC Approves COM-FSM Follow-Up Report

2009-07-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

College of Micronesia-FSM
At its June 9-11 meeting, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) took action to approve the College of Micronesia – FSM’s (COM-FSM) Follow-Up Report.

The College’s Follow-Up report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior College (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges informed the accrediting commission on all resolutions the college has identified and implemented to resole four ACCJC identified recommendations.

The report was submitted on March 15, 2009, and was followed up by a visit by Mr Floyd Takeuchi of the ACCJC from April 28 – May 1, 2009. A report from Mr Takeuchi was submitted to the ACCJC after his visits to national and Chuuk state campuses.

In her June 30 letter to President Spensin James of COM-FSM, President Barbara Beno of the ACCJC said that the commission accepted the College’s Follow-Up Report yet it noted that a final resolution of the Chuuk site is still pending. President Beno wrote that the commission requires the College to report on the resolution of the Chuuk site issue, including the implementation of a reliable power source for that site, within the College’s Self Study Report. The Self Study Report is expected to be submitted by December 1, 2009.

Copies of the Commission Action Letter and the College’s Follow-Up Report are available online at http://www.comfsm.fm/Accreditation/archive.html.

During the same meeting, the ACCJC took the following actions on the following regional institutions:

College of the Marshall Islands – Reaffirmed Accreditation on the Basis of a Comprehensive Evaluation

Northern Marianas Coll:)ege – Removed from Show Cause and Reaffirmed Accreditation on the Basis of a Show Cause Report

College of Micronesia-FSM – Accepted Follow-Up Report with Visit

Guam Community College – Accepted Mid-Term Report
For more information about this article, email the editor at jsaimon@comfsm.fm

The College of Micronesia-FSM Receives $1.575 Million for Nursing Program

2009-07-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

College of Micronesia-FSM
The College of Micronesia – FSM (COM-FSM) will be receiving $315,000 annually for five years through an approved Area Health Education Center (AHEC) grant. The AHEC grant was applied with the U.S. Department of Health Services through the FSM Department of Education.

According to information from the FSM Department of Education, the grant was approved and grant notification award is forthcoming. The College will be using the AHEC grant money as seed money for the AS Degree Program in Nursing. This is great news for the College and the whole FSM as the nation is in dire need of certified nurses to work at all FSM state hospitals.

The College extends its appreciation and thanks to the FSM Department of Health Services for its willingness to collaborate with the College on this important project.

This article was taken from the COM-FSM President’s Update #329. You can read other news about the College of Micronesia- FSM at the following website: www.comfsm.fm/.