MEMORANDUM

We have finally received word from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges on our effort to reaffirm our accreditation.  During its June 9-11, 2010, meeting, the Commission reviewed our institutional Self Study Report and the report of the evaluation team which visited the College in March.  In her letter of June 30, 2010, Dr. Babara A. Beno, President of ACCJC, said the “Commission recognized the accomplishments of the College in addressing recommendations since the time of the last evaluation visit, but notes several are not yet fully addressed.  The Commission acted to issue a Warning and to ask that College of Micronesia-FSM correct the deficiencies noted.”  A Follow-Up Report is due March 15, 2011, which will be followed by a visit from Commission Representatives.

Dr. Beno assured that accredited status of the College continues during the Warning period.  However, accreditation will not be reaffirmed until the conditions which warranted the Warning are resolved.  The Follow-Up Report must demonstrate resolution of the identified deficiencies associated with the following recommendations:

1. Improving Institutional Effectiveness and Leadership, and Governance

      The College evolves 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.

1. Improving Institutional Effectiveness
   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.

1. Physical Resources
   College develops 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.
2. Technology Resources
   College systematically assesses its use and need for technology and uses the results to develop a new technology plan that is guided by the College’s strategic goal and educational master plan.
3. Financial Resources
   College systematically integrates financial resources planning with the various college plans into a comprehensive master plan that is directly linked to the budget planning and allocation process.
4. Decision-making Roles and Process
   College evaluates 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.

While these six recommendations may seem daunting, these issues are not new and the College has already initiated efforts to resolve them.  Soon after the team’s exit meeting, an action plan with a timeline to address these concerns by the end of October 2010 was established.  To successfully address these recommendations and meet our timeline, we will need the assistance of all members of the College community.  Working groups will be established for the six recommendations; your participation as active or contributing member is expected.

It is especially important that everyone becomes involved as required in recommendation 1 because under U.S. Department of Education regulations, institutions out of compliance with standards or on sanction are expected to correct deficiencies within a two-year period or the Commission must take action to terminate accreditation.  We have until March 15, 2012, to correct the identified deficiencies.  By everyone working together we can overcome these deficiencies.

Copies of the report from the review team and Commission’s letter are available in the libraries and from management personnel.  Information on our progress and ways you can assist will be disseminated periodically.  If you have questions or suggestions, you are welcomed to come and see me.

Thank you.