NMC President Sharon Y. Hart urged the board to take a stand on the bill because the “Legislature is getting into areas of autonomy when they really belong with the board and with the institution.”
The bill was introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, who claimed that there is a lack of due process in terminating NMC employees. His bill subjects all college employees, including its president, to termination-with-cause only, guided by an adopted grievance proceeding.
Regent Frank Rabauliman said what the bill proposes is already NMC policy.
NMC accreditation liaison officer Galvin Deleon Guerrero said the Western Association of Schools and Colleges-Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges brought the bill to the college’s attention.
“We have written about this bill in our current report. It would help demonstrate to the commission that we are…reaffirming our autonomy…whenever there’s an attempt to infringe on autonomy,” he said.
Early this year, NMC already expressed its opposition to the bill.
Ellaine Hocog-Orilla, board vice chairwoman, said they already discussed their concerns with the Senate which still has to pass the bill.
“I don’t think we need to further educate our Legislature. We just need to remind them,” Regent Andrew Orsini said. “The autonomy of the college is a very crucial thing for its accreditation.”
Regent William S. Torres said the regents should meet with lawmakers. “Let’s go up there, sit down with them and explain [our concerns] so we can get a fair hearing,” he said, adding that lawmakers have provided the college what it needs.
