President's Monthly Message

August 17, 2015

COM-FSM Mission Statement:

The College of Micronesia-FSM is a learner-centered institution of higher education that is committed to the success of the Federated States of Micronesia by providing academic, career and technical education programs characterized by continuous improvement and best practices.

Dear Colleagues and Fellow Members of the COM-FSM Community,

I want to take a moment to welcome all of you to a new academic year. Many new students are arriving on campus from Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae states in anticipation of student orientation, the first week of classes and immersion into a year of study, learning and personal growth. The feeling of energy and excitement on campus is palpable.

As well, please join me in welcoming our new faculty and staff joining the COM-FSM community. We are pleased that you are with us and trust you will find your experience in service to our students both meaningful and rewarding. Welcome.

To our returning faculty and staff, welcome back! I hope and trust that each of you found some time to rest and to renew. As you make your way back to campus, whether it be here, or at our respective state campuses please know that I am looking forward to an exceptional year. Given how well we pulled together last year, and as a result the significant improvements we were able to achieve, I believe we are poised for great things again this year.

Important Information: August 26, 2015, is set for All Campus Meeting at MITC at 1-2pm. Convocation is set for September 18, 2015, at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center at 1-2pm.

Forum: On August 7, 2015, FSM student recipients made a presentation on the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) at Pohnpei Campus Small Business Development Center on 3rd Floor. The forum was well attended and open to the public community.

From Vice President for Administrative Services:The Business Office welcomes the new comptroller and the general accountant for this new academic year. Additionally, the planning and preparation for the 2017 budget has begun and the 2017 budget launch meeting will occur this month.

From Vice President for Cooperative Research Extension: The COM-Land Grant Program Board of Regents meeting for the third quarter of FY’15 was held at the University of Guam, College of Natural and Applied Sciences conference room August 10-11, 2015. In attendance were the members of the board, chair Hilda Heine from Marshall islands, treasurer Masa-Aki Emesiochl of Palau and secretary Churchill Edwards of Federated States of Micronesia, Executive Director Singeru Singeo, President Patrick Tellei of Palau Community College, President Theresa Koroivulaona of College of the Marshall islands and the Cooperative Research and Extension VP/Deans from each of the colleges. Among the directives signed into effect was a commitment to provide funds to support major improvements to the research station in the Marshall Islands. For the extension program support, the board approved the designation of November as a month to promote local vegetables such as Kang Kong, Bele, and other traditional vegetables to help fight non-communicable diseases caused by current poor diets. President Tellei asked that the Land Grant program identify and focus future efforts to support economic development of the three countries. This was agreed by the Board of Regents.

From Acting Vice President for Instructional Affairs: Faculty from Pohnpei and National campuses attended workshops and orientation on August 3-7, 2015. Topics included: effective practices, assessment plans for 2015-2016, presentation of program assessment summaries from 2014-2015, re-launch of the Foundations of Excellence for faculty engagement, general assembly and lunch with new freshmen, and a training session for division chairs.

Students from Reitaku University will arrive on August 24, 2015 for their annual study tour. Professor Naruse and Professor Inukai will accompany the students. The group will complete an environmental study program and visit cultural sites on Pohnpei.

From Acting Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Assurance: The ALO would then finalize report for the BOR meeting in December 2015. Transmission of the final report to ACCJC and distribution to Visiting Team will be on January 2016. Team visit will be on March 2016.

A new connectivity contract with FSMTC is now active. Bandwidth expanded for all networks for improved services at National, Pohnpei, Yap and Chuuk Campuses due to recent changes in infrastructure allowing for such expansions. Direct internet connectivity on Pohnpei and National Campus increased 7x, Yap Campus increased 4x, Chuuk Campus increased 4x. Kosrae Campus rates for direct internet connectivity will remain the same as FSMTC infrastructure does not allow for further expansion at this time. However, Kosrae Campus links for services directly located at National campus have doubled. The situation for Kosrae Campus will continue to be monitored for potential network improvements as they become available.

The new official COM-FSM catalog is now available on the college website.

From Acting Vice President for Student Services: As of August 11, 2015, the college registered 1,852 students. Add and drop period including late registration for Fall 2015 is on August 17-19, 2015.

Board of Regents’ Meeting: The Board of Regents’ Meeting was held on August 6-7, 2015 at the National Campus and the community meeting was held at PICS cafeteria on August 6, 2015.

Foundation of Excellence: The Foundation of Excellence welcomes anyone to participate and be involved in the dimension groups, which assists with assessing the first-year experience at COM-FSM. Meeting dates and times for each dimension group is provided below:

Learning and Campus Culture Tuesday 12:30-1:30PM
Meeting Dates: 8/25/15 9/1/15/ 9/8/15 9/15/15
Location: Board Conference Room

Organization and Improvement Wednesday 2:00 to 3:00PM
Meeting Dates: 8/26/15 9/2/15/ 9/9/15 9/1615
Location: Board Conference Room

Transitions, Roles and Purposes Wednesday 3:00 to 4:00PM
Meeting Dates: 8/26/15 9/2/15 9/9/15 9/16/15
Location: Board Conference Room

All Students, Diversity Thursday 12:30 to 1:30PM
Meeting Dates: 8/27/15 9/3/15 9/10/15 9/17/15
Location: Board Conference

I convey my appreciation to you for all your work, effort and dedication to the students we serve. Each of us plays an important role in the successful implementation of the mission of COM-FSM.

It is a privilege for me to serve you as president.

Warm regards,

Joseph M. Daisy, EdD President and CEO