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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.