“The selection of a president remains one of the board’s most important priorities and the presidential search committee is working diligently to complete the search process,” Orilla said in an email interview.
She declined to give details about the report of the committee and an update on NMC’s accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The board held an executive, or closed-door, meeting for one hour and when it resumed, it was immediately adjourned.
Regent Andrew Orsini, board personnel committee chairman, said the board will hold a special meeting on Saturday to elect a new chairwoman.
The board did not make an announcement of the election and thus was not able to conduct it yesterday, Orsini said.
“In addition to presiding at board meetings, representing the board to the community, and overseeing board-related activities, the chairperson has many other important duties. As such, an election to select the next chair will be done at the soonest possible time,” Orilla told Variety in an email.
Orsini, who is also the presidential search committee chairman, said they will continue with the processing of the qualified candidates to comply with the accreditation requirement.
“Regent Younis and I worked harmoniously with one another. We both have mutual respect to one another. Of course, there have been disagreements regarding board issues in the past, but it is all on a professional level and nothing personal,” Orsini said.
Younis, the Variety’s co-publisher, resigned as regent on Thursday during the board’s special meeting.
In an email to Variety, Press Secretary Angel Demapan said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has accepted the resignation of Younis.
He said the governor’s office learned that she was off-island to attend to personal matters.
“In view of this and the importance of the functions of the board of regents as it continues to address accreditation matters, the governor is poised to accept the former chair’s resignation and begin the process of identifying potential candidates to fill the vacancies on the board,” Demapan said.
When asked about her working relationship with Younis, Orilla said the “board is a team of committed individuals who are passionate about advancing high education in the CNMI.”
She added, “In order for this team to be successful and efficient, the relationship among board members needs to be — and has always been — cordial, professional, and above all, respectful.”
