By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE current issues class at Northern Marianas College held a forum on the legislative initiative that proposes the creation of an independent post-secondary licensing commission in the CNMI.
Most of the participants were in favor of House Legislative Initiative 15-1, according to NMC Department of Social Sciences chairman Sam McPhetres.
Authored by Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, H.L.I. 15-1 wants to remove the licensing function for post-secondary institutions from NMC’s board of regents.
“Most of the people (in the forum) favor the separation of that power from the NMC regents,” McPhetres said. “For them, it makes sense to have an independent agency to do that task because the current board is in conflict in some aspects.”
The NMC board serves as the CNMI licensing board that assesses, reviews and approves all post-secondary applications in the commonwealth.
McPhetres said “many participants” in the forum believe that the current board may be judging an agency that will be in direct competition with the college.
“That’s their sentiment on the initiative. The question now is, can we find people competent enough to do a good job (on the new board)?” McPhetres said.
He said many of the forum participants are worried that “fly-by-night” colleges and universities may come to the island such as the Saipan University, whose owner is now in federal prison for fraud.
McPhetres said they consider the forum successful in its intent to better inform the public and the students about the legislative initiative, adding that more such events should be held before the election on Nov. 3.
Last night, the NMC Current Issues class also participated in a forum conducted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce for the legislative candidates.