Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Congress News, January 21, 2004

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): January 21, 2004 –
Senator Isaac Figir of
Yap, Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs, raised several concerns
about the College of Micronesia-FSM and asked that the Health, Education and
Social Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the college, look into
some of the college’s recent activities. Senator Figir also raised concerns
regarding the status of the college’s accreditation and the Chuuk campus’
purchase of land that has never been used. Lastly, but not the least, the
senator raised concerns regarding the security of the students and what
measures, if any, the college offers in order to secure safety of its
students.

Some of the issues he raised were: tuition increases, the hiring of foreign
workers, allegedly in violation of the immigration moratorium, college
employee salary increases and the fact that a limit has been placed on the
number of students who can enroll at the Chuuk Campus.

In response, Speaker Christian suggested that a special committee of 3
members, chaired by J & GO Committee Chairman Dohsis Halbert, should be
created to look into this land purchased by the COM. He said a decision
would be made about this special committee membership in the ensuing days.

Congress deferred action on two bills that would change the allottee of
certain funds previously appropriated for the State of Yap and the bill to
authorize the President to appoint ambassadors of the nation with the advice
and consent of Congress.

Speaker Peter M. Christian informed all Members and staff of Congress that
he is inviting officials of the FSM Telecommunication for a meeting tomorrow
to understand what is going at the institution and said that everyone is
invited.

Congress took to recess at 10:56 this morning and will reconvene tomorrow at
10:00 a.m.

Congress would like to inform the general public that its web site is now
back on line and could be accessed at:
www.fsmcongress.fm.