College submits self study report to WASC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Board approves increase of Technology Fee

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

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

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

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

College plans to increase technology fee by 50 dollars

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

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

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

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

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.