I say this, our hats off to the two of you for standing up on what is right for NMC. Dr. Carmen Fernandez has shown tremendous respect and professionalism for the institution and its students by remaining focused on the most important critical issue such as accreditation regardless of all the criticism from within and outside the compounds of NMC.
A recent letter to the editor by a former faculty member who was at the heart of all the fiascos at NMC failed to mention to anyone that he was the lead person assigned to assemble a team to rescue NMC’s accreditation. Such an individual chose personal agenda to intentionally derailed the accreditation efforts and discredit Dr. Fernandez’s administration hoping for her immediate removal as president of NMC by the board of regents. Unfortunately such a move did not materialize for all the accusations and allegations of improprieties have no merits.
Incidentally, Mr. Mark Haag failed to follow NMC protocols, policies and procedures in filing a grievance against a member of the staff or faculty, including the president.
I once advised Mr. Haag and the rest of his colleagues, which included Mr. Frank Sobolowski, Dr. Debra Cabera, Wil Castro and Larry Lee, that whenever you accuse someone with something serious make sure you have your facts readily available, otherwise you’re just shooting yourself on the foot.
But they continued their fiascos and all throughout the show cause status on accreditation and in the presence of the WASC accreditation team that came on island to visit NMC. If it were not for the strong stance of Dr. Fernandez in staying focused on accreditation, NMC would have not regained its accreditation, which in our view is a testament of TRUE leadership at NMC and a person who stands by NMC’s slogan, STUDENTS FIRST!
As an advocate in our community and a strong supporter of NMC, I urge everyone to stop the bickering and to give Dr. Fernandez our full support and faith. After all NMC did regain its accreditation.
By the way did anyone even bother to check on Mr. Sam McPhetres’ health lately? Everyone should be concerned, and yes we should all be thankful for the many years that he taught at NMC for he is one of the founding pioneers of educators who taught the students of NMC well.
Happy New Year NMC and Biba Dr. Fernandez for a job well done and Good Luck Mr. Sam McPhetres.
GREGORIO CRUZ JR.
Taotao Tano
