The College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) is a regionally accredited autonomous community college offering high school equivalency, community extension, student development, certificate, and associate degree programs in Liberal Arts & Sciences, Elementary Education, and Nursing. The College serves primarily students from within the Micronesian region and is designated as the national postsecondary institution for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), as enacted in RMI PL 1992.
Accreditation Status
The College of the Marshall Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at: www.accjc.org
The ACCJC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as a reliable authority regarding the quality of education offered by the institutions that accredit in keeping with the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Department of Education conducts a review of accrediting commissions every five years and confers recognition on agencies that continue to meet its criteria. Institutions wishing to provide students with federal financial aid must seek accreditation from an ED-recognized accrediting body.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has established criteria that define a quality review system for accrediting agencies. Although CHEA recognition is voluntary, many accrediting agencies participate in the CHEA quality review process as part of their own efforts to establish and maintain quality practices. In its January 2021 action, CHEA renewed its recognition of ACCJC for seven years.
As part of the institutional accreditation process, CMI regularly completes a comprehensive review, which is followed by a visit from a team of peer reviewers from ACCJC member institutions. CMI submitted its Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) in January 2021. The March 16-19, 2021 peer review visit was conducted virtually due to the COVID 19 pandemic. At its June 2021 meeting, ACCJC acted to reaffirm CMI’s accreditation for 18 months and require a Follow-Up Report. CMI’s follow-up report was submitted October 1, 2022, and the follow-up visit was held virtually October 17-18. At its January 2023 meeting, ACCJC acted to reaffirm CMI’s accreditation for the remainder of the cycle.
Administrative Organization
The College of the Marshall Islands is governed by a Board of Regents appointed by the RMI Cabinet. The Board of Regents sets institutional policies and appoints the President, who is responsible for the operation and general administration of the College.
Respect, Rights and Integrity
Respect for the rights, dignity, and integrity of others is essential for the well-being of a community. Actions by any person which do not reflect such respect for others are damaging to each member of the community and damaging to CMI. Each member of the community should be free from interference, intimidation, or disparagement in the work place, the classroom, and the social, recreational, and residential environment.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
The College of the Marshall Islands complies with Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The College asserts its obligation to the aim of equal opportunity for its faculty, students, staff, and administrators. The College does not discriminate in matters of employment or of admission to educational programs and activities because of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, or veteran status.
It is the policy of the College to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of gender, race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or veteran’s status pursuant to, but not limited to, Titles VI and VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the U.S. Educational Amendments of 1972, U.S. Executive Orders 11246 as amended, Section 503 and 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the U.S. Age Discrimination Acts of 1974 and 1975 and other U.S. federal laws and regulations as may apply. The College formally affirms its commitment to the goal of equal opportunity for its Faculty, students, Staff and Administrators. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Consistent with its obligations under law, the College is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits, social and recreational programs, and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance, and merit, without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved. The College reaffirms its policy of administering educational programs and related supporting services and benefits in a manner that does not discriminate because of a student’s or prospective student’s race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, physical or mental disability, or other characteristic that cannot lawfully be the basis for provision of such programs or services.
The College assigns a high priority to the implementation of its equal opportunity policy and College resources are devoted to assuring compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and educational programs. The College strives to implement policies and programs that aid in overcoming the effects of past discrimination in regard to all of the protected groups. Since employment and education outcomes may be intertwined, the College will make every effort to promote the presence of both male and female roles of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds and disabilities in order to develop in Employees the multi-cultural attitudes and awareness which our laws intend to promote.
Discrimination or harassment against Faculty, Staff, or students will not be tolerated at the College.
Sexual Harassment Policy
The College is committed to providing its staff, faculty and students the opportunity to pursue excellence in their academic and professional endeavors. This can only exist when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect, one in which he or she is judged solely on criteria related to academic or job performance. The College is committed to providing such an environment, free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Each member of the College community is responsible for fostering mutual respect, for being familiar with this policy, and for refraining from conduct that violates this policy. Sexual harassment of employees by students, coworkers, or superiors as well as sexual harassment or sexual intimidation of students by peers, staff, faculty, or administrators is unacceptable to the College.
Drug-Free Workplace
The College adheres to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. CMI is committed to maintaining a work environment which is drug and alcohol free. Compliance with CMI’s drug and alcohol policy is a condition of continued employment and is clearly stated in the Personnel Manual.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that student academic records are confidential and access to them is limited to the student and, for advisory or other educational purposes, to designated administration and faculty, and outside funding agencies supporting the student’s education. The student’s academic record may not be released to other persons or agencies outside the College without the permission of the student. Students, upon request, may inspect and review their academic records in the Record’s Office.
A student’s identification number is used for reference in all of the student’s college records. Any change of personal data, such as address, name, or marital status, should be reported to the Office of Admissions and Records immediately. Students planning to continue studies at U.S. schools are advised to acquire a permanent U.S. Social Security number well before the transfer process. (U.S. Social Security numbers beginning 666are temporary and used only for financial aid papers. The 666 numbers are not acceptable at U.S. campuses. See the Financial Aid Director for assistance.)
The College may release directory information such as student names, place of origin, and honor roll status. Students who do not want their directory information released should contact the Registrar.
Title IX
The College of the Marshall Islands is determined to provide a workplace and educational space, as well as activities, events, and programs free from the discrimination on the basis of sex. This policy applies under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., which is a Federal civil rights law.
Any form of sexual violence and sexual harassment is not tolerated within the CMI campuses, centers, sub-centers or any location where CMI programs are held and CMI Community. Members of the CMI community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not violate the rights of others and to follow the laws and guidelines of Title IX enforced by the US Department of Education.
Department of Education.
The College of the Marshall Islands is committed to provide a safe learning space in which people are treated with dignity, respect, and have the right to have a sense of safety. Consisting with this commitment, the College will not tolerate any unlawful, discriminatory, harassment, and/or gender-based violence of any kind, as we are subjected to Title IX.
Contact the Title IX Coordinator, Meyar Laukon at mlaukon@cmi.edu with any questions or to file a complaint.
Formal Reporting Procedure
Here are the steps you will need to follow if you have experienced any form of revenge pornography, sexual grooming, sexual harassment, rape, stalking, or any form of sexual exploitation.
- Tell someone. It is very important to let someone you trust know what has happened. At this stage, you may feel shocked, scared, confused, or even not able to trust anyone. But it is important that you talk to someone like a close friend, family member, CMI staff, faculty, or a CMI Student Advocate. Don’t be alone. If you do not feel comfortable discussing the issue face to face, then you can call or send an email:
- Counseling Office
- Associate Dean of Equity and Engagement
- Dean of Student Success
- Nurse Manager
- Resident Coordinator
- National RMI Hospital
- RMI National Police Station
- You are encouraged to report the incident to the CMI staff including the RMI National Police Station.
- If you are choosing to report your incident formally, please come and see the counselors.
- Seek medical attention right away since sexual transmitted diseases like STD/I, AIDS, etc. can be transmitted to you.
Respondents Rights and Information
You have important rights in this process.
- The right to be presumed not responsible for any alleged conduct unless or until a determination of responsibility is reached after a grievance and disciplinary process.
- The right to retain legal counsel if the Respondent desires
- The right to a fair and equitable process
- The right to be treated with respect and without bias and without a conflict of interest throughout the process
- The right to receive support by our Student Advocate throughout the process, and after if applicable
- The right to have written notice within a reasonable timeframe of any interviews, meetings, or hearings
- The right to have information of the alleged violations, the name of the Complainant, and information on the alleged incident
- The right to supply potential witnesses, written statements, and evidence during the Title IX process
- The right to see any information used to make decisions, including the Investigative Report The right to a live disciplinary meeting that includes the Title IX Task Force
- The right to appeal a decision made by the Title IX Task Force
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The College of the Marshall Islands shall ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities have full and equitable access to the same educational experiences as those without disabilities. It will achieve this by providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, encouraging the use of principles of universal design, and ensuring individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in admissions to the college or other college processes.
