The regents are working out a plan to meet at the NMC campus on Saipan to continue their in depth discussions about important and relevant issues related to their fiduciary roles as trustees of the college.
“The board members may have to meet on Saturdays, considering everyone’s busy work and family schedules,” said Janet King, board chairwoman.
The first item the board members will tackle in depth is the role of governing boards in higher education. Among many objectives, the session will continue from the PPEC training and focus on board members’ specific
responsibilities to enhance the educational opportunities for CNMI residents as well as to build workforce capacity.
Further, they will discuss how the board, as a unit, can continue to develop and enhance its role in setting policy, employing and supporting the NMC president, acting as a bridge to the community, establishing a climate of professionalism, defining parameters for operations, and ensuring the continued fiscal health and stability of the college.
“To maximize the board’s effectiveness, it is important that each individual board member is educated about the College and their roles as trustees,” King said.
“Board members already voluntarily devote much of their time to the College as trustees, but it was clear during the PPEC training that we are all very committed to continuing this important training,” she added.
She indicated that the board members’ participation in the weekend series of discussions is also part of NMC’s efforts to meet accreditation standards.
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Standard IV.B.1.f states, “The governing board has a program for board development.” Under this standard, in ACCJC’s “Guide to Evaluating Institutions,” ACCJC asks “What is the board’s program for development and orientation [and] does the board development program address the board’s need to learn about accreditation standards and expectations?”
Standard IV.B.1.j states, “The governing board is informed about and involved in the accreditation process.”
Under this standard, in ACCJC’s “Guide to Evaluating Institutions,” ACCJC asks, “What kinds of training are provided to the board about the accreditation process, and Commission standards?”
Other discussion topics that will be taken on by the Board of Regents include “Trusteeship,” “Monitoring Institutional Quality and Effectiveness,” “Effective Decision Making,” “Ethics and Laws,” “Board / CEO Relationships,” “Board Self Evaluation,” and “Accreditation.”
