Right now, the mission statement of NMC is in the NMI Constitution. This, according to Senate Legislative Initiative 17-12 , prohibits the college from revising it if necessary.
Most colleges in the U.S. come up with their own mission statement.
Having a mission statement that defines the college’ goal, its students and commitment to achieve student learning, and is approved by the board of regents is an important compliance with the accreditation standard.
Also to comply with the accreditation standard, NMC’s mission statement must be reviewed on a regular basis.
Although it gives the board of regents the power to establish college’s mission statement, the proposed amendment introduced by Senate Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota bears the same message as a Constitutional provision.
Currently, Section 2(b) of the NMI Constitution’s Article XV reads:
“The mission of the college shall be to provide the best quality and meaningful postsecondary and adult educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for the Commonwealth as a whole. The college shall be responsible for providing education in the areas of adult and continuing education, postsecondary and adult vocational education and professional development for the people of the Commonwealth,”
S.L.I 17-12 changes it to:
“The purpose of the college shall be to provide the best quality and meaningful postsecondary and adult educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for the Commonwealth as a whole. The college shall be responsible for providing education in the areas of adult and continuing education, postsecondary and adult vocational education and professional development for the people of the Commonwealth. The board of regents shall establish the mission statement of the college.”
With a vote of three-fourths of the members of both houses the initiative will go to the ballot in the next general or special election.
Approved bill
The House also approved House Bill 17-238 that allows the Public Utility Commission to regulate liquid fuel sales in the CNMI.
Introduced by Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, H.B. 17-238 got the nod of all the 15 House members present. Ogumoro, Reps. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; Minority Leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, Reps. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan and Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian were absent.
The measure empowers PUC to “regulate price, rates, charges, assessments including but not limited to credit, fees discounts, sales, promotions, etc.”
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan offered a floor amendment to include butane and propane in the bill before the House approved it.
