“We are proud to announce today that [NMC] has a new president to lead the college and to continue its constitutionally mandated mission of helping to improve the quality of life for everyone in the CNMI,” Board Chairman Juan T. Lizama announced in a jam-packed conference room at the college.
Before the regents voted on Hart’s selection, Dr. John Griffin, NMC faculty senate president and an honorary board member, expressed concern over the board’s decision.
But Lizama denied him the opportunity to speak, saying there was a conflict of interest since Griffin was one of the applicants for the college presidency.
While the regents were in an executive, or closed-door session, Griffin showed this reporter a document indicating that the faculty and staff of Middlesex Community College, of which Hart was president, held a vote of no confidence against her.
“Hart resigned in September after faculty gave her a no-confidence vote and the school’s alumni foundation gathered signatures from 462 people who supported her resignation,” stated an AP report dated July 16, 2007.
Another document showed that Hart, as president of North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, was criticized for remaining on the payroll while doing little work.
But Lizama said Hart “possesses an extraordinary résumé, with many years of proven academic and executive leadership.”
“We firmly believe that she has the qualifications necessary to lead the college to unprecedented heights in providing high quality post secondary education to our students,” he added.
Except for Frank Rabauliman who was off-island, all regents were present yesterday.
Rabauliman cast his vote through teleconference. Besides Lizama, the other regents present yesterday were Andrew Orsini, Malua Peter, Elaine Hocog-Orilla, and William S. Torrres.
After the board adjourned the meeting, Lizama told reporters that there was no change in the two-year contract offered to Hart who will receive an annual salary of $80,000.
He said Hart is expected to be on island before July 5 when her contract will take effect. Lorraine T. Cabrera will continue to serve as college interim president until Hart arrives.
During the meeting, the board commended Cabrera, who has served the college for the past 18 years, for her dedication and commitment.
“We hope that the board of regents and the college can continue to count on your passion for students as we continue to grow as an institution,” Lizama told her.
On Wednesday, the regents announced that the top candidate, Dr. Christa Adams, had withdrawn from the presidential search.
Adams, Hart and Dr. Jeff Armstrong were the three candidates recommended by the Presidential Search Committee led by Orsini.
Adams withdrew her application last April, but expressed interest again in the position recently.
Hart and Armstrong also initially turned down NMC’s offer.
