ASCC Looks for New Funding Sources as Grants Expire

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The American Samoa Community College is having to look for new funding sources because three major federal grants have expired.

Acting President of the American Samoa Community College, Dr. Rosevonne Pato, said at Governor Lolo and Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga’s first cabinet meeting after wining a second term in office, that ASCC is looking at reviving the ASCC Research Foundation as the three grants are ending this year.

According to Dr. Pato, ASCC is also facing a decrease in enrollment.

She did not mention it but college  personnel tell KHJ News that the late payment of ASG subsidies for the college have put the only institution of higher learning in the territory in dire financial straits.

A few weeks before the elections, there was talk of a reduction in hours.

The acting president told the cabinet meeting, the Board of Higher Education has instituted cost containment measure including a freeze in personnel and travel costs.

Dr. Pato said with their federal funding sources drying up, the college hopes to revive the Research Foundation to bring in financial assistance.

The ASCC Research Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the college,  held concerts and art work auctions in the past.

The acting president said they are also looking into proposing legislation to raise new revenue for the college.

Regarding accreditation, Dr. Pato said the college submitted its report to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges October 15 and  the Commission has indicated that there will be no further visitation of ASCC.

She said  this was a good sign. If there had been an issue with compliance,  WASC would have made a visit to the college.

But according to Dr. Pato there was no indication from the commission of a visit after it received ASCC’s report.

The Commission will be meeting in January and a decision on the ASCC accreditation should be expected at that meeting.

Reporting on the ASCC multi purpose center, Dr Pato said the external structure is completed and what’s left is the utilities and landscaping.

She said the last portion of the project is renovations of the ASCC fale Samoa.

The new multi purpose building should be opened in late February or early March.

Constructed by Paramount Builders, it was supposed to be opened last year.

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