During the House session, Hocog requested House committee on Health, Education and Welfare Chairman Ralph DLG. Torres to seek a meeting with NMC’s board of regents regarding the controversy involving the Associated Students of NMC, the college president and its accreditation issues.
Last week, after the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges extended NMC’s show cause status, an NMC administration-sponsored complaint was filed against Ivan Mereb, ASNMC president.
It was also reported that there was a petition seeking the removal of NMC President Carmen Fernandez.
Hocog, Ind.-Rota, said if these problems persist, NMC will have a hard time retaining its accreditation.
If NMC loses its accreditation, its students will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid and the course credits they earn can’t be transferred to other institutions.
“The board of regents must know what started the fire and they must put it out,” Hocog said.
He said the House is not trying to micro-manage the affairs of NMC.
“But we want to find out what the problem is if we are going to continue providing them funding,” he said. “I am not happy to provide assistance if the college is having these problems.”
During the session, Torres said the board should resolve these issues.
But Torres, R-Saipan, said he would be “happy and willing” to help find a solution to this “crisis.”
