President’s Message To The Community
Dear Colleagues and Fellow Members of the COM-FSM Community, .jpg)
Season’s Greetings! During this special time of year let us be reminded of the many things for which we are grateful. We should be especially grateful to President Mori, and FSM Congress for restoring $1.4 million to the 2014 budget which had been eliminated as a result of the JEMCO resolution. On behalf of the college I am further grateful to the FSM Congress for demonstrating continued support for the college.
Our community has made much progress during the past year. While we have much work to do and continue to face many challenges, I continue to be optimistic. In the remaining days of 2013 and as we prepare to enter a new year let us renew our commitment to the mission and values of COM-FSM and to each other as valued and respected members of this higher learning community.
This fall the college held its convocation to celebrate the reaffirmation of accreditation by the ACCJC, and our 20th Anniversary.
Beca Ltd. and the college have completed the comprehensive space utilization and master facilities plan study which will guide the college’s planning for the next fifteen to twenty years. The Project Control Group (PCG) will meet this week to discuss release of the report and next steps in the planning process. It is our intention to present a summary of the report findings to JEMCO, and to submit plans for their consideration and funding.
We are in the final stages of completing the 2015 budget for submission to the FSM by January 15, 2014. The budget reflects the needs, goals and objectives articulated in the integrated educational master plan and supports ongoing fulfillment of the college’s mission. Continued financial support for the 2015 budget by the FSM Congress, especially the restoration of the scheduled $2.1 million decrement will be critical to our ability to achieve the integrated educational master plan, strategic plan and to meet accreditation standards. Such financial support from our nation’s leaders will support our accreditation related commitment and progress to move from compliance to constructive engagement.
We prepare for the college’s 58th Commencement on Thursday, December 19th at 9am. As an institution of higher education, no event in the college is as important as commencement. For our students it is a time to recognize and celebrate their academic accomplishments. For the families of our students, commencement provides yet another point of pride. For all of us and for our faculty most especially, commencement is an opportunity to acknowledge our work and success in educating the young men and women who represent the future hopes, dreams and aspirations of the FSM. I am proud of the faculty, staff and administration of COM-FSM and look forward to being among you at this important ceremony on this important day.
Thank you for all of your work, effort and dedication this year in service to the students we serve. Each of us plays an important role in the successful implementation of the mission of COM-FSM. Together, let us look forward to the challenges and opportunities we will surely face in 2014. Given how well we have all come together, how well we communicate with each other, and our shared purpose to secure the future for COM-FSM and our students, we can only grow stronger.
It is a privilege for me to serve you as president.
Please accept my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Warm regards,
Joe
Joseph M. Daisy, Ed. D., President
