Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Northern Mariana Islands'

Rota Island, the southernmost island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific, has the types of caves previously documented on the other limestone mantled islands in the Mariana Arc that have been investigated for caves: Aguijan, Guam, Tinian and Saipan. Caves developed at the edge of the fresh-water lens by zones of enhanced carbonate dissolution produced by fresh-water/salt-water mixing are most common. Among these mixing zone caves, flank margin caves dominate. Flank margin caves were found singly and in extensive horizons representing significant sea-level still stands. However, another type of mixing zone cave was found on Rota in numbers not documented on neighboring islands. Mixing zone fracture caves, apparently formed as zones of enhanced dissolution, produced fresh-water discharging from the lens along fractures, migrated vertically as sea-level changed. Some mixing zone fracture caves on Rota are developed in clusters from two to four caves. The mixing zone caves of Rota reflect the interaction of eogenetic limestone, glacioeustasy, local tectonics and enhanced carbonate dissolution via mixing of disparate waters. The development of mixing zone caves on Rota is in agreement with the Carbonate Island Karst Model (CIKM). Rota has a few caves developed along the contact between limestone and the insoluble volcanic rock that makes up the core of the island. The most important of these is Water Cave, a large spring that is the source for most of the municipal water on Rota. Rota also two extensive zones of vertical fissures developed along bedrock fractures; Fissure City and As Mundo Fissure Zone. In addition, Rota has one cave apparently developed along a fault; Gagani Cave. Some of the caves documented on Rota are difficult to classify and warrant further investigation.

The problem studied was the poor academic achievement of middle school students in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Research indicates that a growth mindset positively affects a student's academic achievement and motivation to learn. However, despite the importance of mindset in fostering student success and enhancing learning, mindset remains underexplored in the CNMI. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to fill this gap in knowledge by investigating teachers' knowledge, perceptions, and practices concerning mindset in the CNMI. Three research questions examined teachers' knowledge and perceptions of mindset in the CNMI and how teachers described and demonstrated the use of mindset in their practices. Dweck's seminal work on mindset served as the conceptual framework. Social constructivism guided the study process. Qualitative data were collected from 15 purposively sampled teachers at a local CNMI middle school. Data were analyzed through categorization and codification, from which emerging themes were used to answer research questions. Results indicated that teachers in the local middle school have limited knowledge and inaccurate perceptions regarding the mindset concept. Accordingly, the analysis recommended the need for and served as the basis for the design of a professional development workshop about mindset for teachers throughout the CNMI to enhance teacher instruction and improve student learning, thus promoting positive social change.

Master of Science<br>Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design<br>Joy Kozar<br>This study examines colonization, development, and globalization in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) with respect to the garment industry, the main industry of the islands. A broad-reaching analysis examined population, gender, economic factors, and import/export data in order to explore the repercussions of garment industry development and subsequent decline on the CNMI. A quantitative analysis was conducted utilizing data from the United States Census Bureau, the CNMI's Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel. This research illustrates how the effects of the garment industry in small developing nations are dramatically impacted by a trade arrangement, the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA), which was a protectionist measure used to restrict manufacturing of certain product through a quota system. In addition, this study reveals the economic implications and societal outcomes for the CNMI after the collapse of the garment industry as a result of the 2005 MFA phase-out. Garment production orders shifted to large producer nations once quota restrictions were no longer in place. Factory closures, lost business revenue, and a loss of manufacturing positions affecting predominantly women plagued the CNMI as well as cost-of-living increases. Federalization of the CNMI took place in 2009 which further complicated the islands’ politics and guest worker population status. Tourism is now the CNMI's chief industry although its growth is dismal and heavily reliant upon world economies. A comparison between Mauritius, another small island nation, concludes the discussion with insight on women's development and future considerations for economic growth as a means of development and dependency in the CNMI.

Background: At the end of 2009, there were 33.3 million people living globally with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with 2.6 million new infections occurring annually (UNAIDS, 2010). In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the Western Pacific Ocean, annual STI and HIV statistics as of 2009, indicate that syphilis, hepatitis B and herpes simplex virus are at their highest rates since 2002. This study documented the understanding of the social, risk and sexual behavior among a cross-section of the population in the CNMI. The primary objective of the study was to establish baseline behavioral data on STIs and HIV/AIDS in the CNMI.Methods: Behavioral information was obtained using a modified version of a survey based on the Family Health International STI/HIV/AIDS Behavioral Survey for adults adapted specifically for use in the CNMI. The questionnaire was administered to three population groups in the CNMI: The first consisted of pregnant women (n=228) who were attending their first prenatal visit and who had not been previously tested for STIs. The second consisted of men (n= 132) over 18 years of age who had engaged in sex with another man during the last five years. The third group consisted of male and female youth (n=433), aged between 18-24 years, were unmarried or had been living with a partner for less than 12 months prior to the survey date. The survey comprised of a variety of questions including personal background history, marital history, sexual partner history, sexually transmitted infection history, condom usage, alcohol and drug use. Additional information was obtained on the participant’s level of HIV/AIDS knowledge and access to HIV testing.Analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 17. Frequencies of all the variables were undertaken and bivariate analysis was conducted to determine statistical association between continuous and categorical data. Chi-Square analysis was used to determine if differences existed between prevalence figures and categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA), was used to determine if differences existed between continuous variables.Key Findings: Results from the prenatal survey group indicated that the majority of the respondents (66%) were unmarried, unemployed Micronesians (54%) who had never used a condom and who were not using any form of birth control. Most were living with a partner (70%), and none had ever injected drugs. Information about STIs and HIV was obtained through the television, newspaper, the internet, radio and friends. The majority of pregnant women (94%) were aware that they could pass HIV on to their unborn child, however a quarter of the women were not aware that they could pass HIV through breastfeeding. During the last twelve months, the majority of women (99%) had only one sex partner, a large percentage had never used a condom, and the most common self-reported STI diagnosis was chlamydia.Data results from the MSM survey group indicated the majority of participants (60%) were Micronesian, well-educated with 91% having completed university or college or graduated high school yet unemployment and not living with a regular partner. Most MSM had multiple oral and anal sex partners. A third of those who travelled overseas in the last 12 months (27%) had sex while away; the majority of those were male partners, most did not use a condom and the most common self-reported STI diagnosis was HIV (11%).Data results from the youth survey group indicated that the majority of participants were born in CNMI and currently reside with family. The majority of participants had had sex and a significantly higher proportion of males had had sex than females. Approximately half of the participants had sex without a condom in past 12 months. More females than males had been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months chlamydia was the most common STI reported. Youth participants had the highest rates of substance and drug use for betel nut and marijuana and the second highest overall use for tobacco. The majority of youth reported having used drugs (amphetamines, ecstasy, inhalants, hallucinogens and cocaine). The results also revealed that youth were least likely of the three groups to have accurate knowledge on HIV. HIV testing was low across in the youth group. The media has played a large role in educating participants with most participants reporting having heard messages about HIV on TV, then the radio, newspapers and billboards. A large number of youth sought HIV knowledge through the internet.Conclusion: This study presents data on several aspects of risk behavior in the CNMI and documents several risk behaviors (sexual, drug usage and STI history) that provide a starting point for improving preventive healthcare and health promotion programs and increasing healthcare funding in the CNMI. Findings include low HIV testing rates, low HIV knowledge, significant internet usage for HIV/STI information, low off-island travel rates and low rates of condom use. The recommendations proposed can be incorporated into the STI and HIV management programs. This study acknowledges the importance of HIV testing and interventions to improve ST and HIV testing in the CNMI need to be considered. Finally, a recommendation is also made to build on this study to enable further research and testing in the CNMI.

Aquaponics has recently emerged on the global scene as a viable form of alternative agriculture. A combination of practices, such as growing and harvesting fish (aquaculture) along with "hydroponically" grown fruits and vegetables, aquaponics integrates traditional agriculture practices with twenty-first century scientific food producing methods. In this thesis, I analyze the literature on aquaponics and connect it firmly within the current social and environmental discussions of the food security discourse among Pacific Island Countries and Territories in order to provide a context of geographical relevance of fish and vegetable producing systems. I also provide data from the Northern Mariana Island of Rota to showcase why and how aquaponics may be a viable option for improving food security within such a context. I then argue that the aquaponic project on the island of Rota helps serve as one potential pathway to improving food security.<br>2015-07-14

Over the last 5 years, high school students with disabilities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have experienced a higher rate of dropout compared to their peers, adding to an ever-widening gap in learning and graduation rates. The rationale for this study was the growing numbers of dropouts among students with disabilities that contribute to high rates of poor performing schools and create a burden on the local and federal government as the CNMI employment rates decline and reliance on the U.S. government for support increases. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of students with disabilities who drop out of high school, their perceptions of the learning environment, and the factors that contributed to their decisions to drop out. The conceptual framework was the constructivist theory. To answer what influenced high school students with disabilities to drop out of school and to what extent their perceptions of the constructivist element of belonging, engagement, or advocacy contributed to their decision to drop out, a qualitative case study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 10 former students who dropped out between 2013 and 2016 school years from high schools in the CNMI. Thematic analysis was used for emergent themes. Findings included that students do not receive their high school diploma because school policies prevented them due to age and lack of credits. Poor learning environments hindered students' engagement. Poor teachers' advocacy also hindered students' graduation. The findings can be used by school district leaders and staff in the implementation of effective interventions for improving graduation outcomes for students with disabilities in order for these students to become contributing members of society through gainful employment and enhanced quality of life.

This dissertation is based on ethno-historic fieldwork in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In the CNMI there is a complex interaction of customary law within the framework of an American legal system. By studying land disputes in a historical context, I examine how custom is represented, reconfigured, and constructed through law and the dispute process. Law reflects and reproduces ideology through its relationship with the state while at the local level of the case one can analyze the specific ways individuals access, affect, and are affected by the legal system. Courts are a site for the production of meanings that includes state-level forces, such as the law and procedural rules, as well as the impact of individuals, such as attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.

Historians John W. Dower, Craig Cameron, and Ronald Takaki argue that the Pacific War was a war of extermination fueled by race hate. Therefore, the clash between the military forces of the Japanese Empire and United States of America yielded a "kill or be killed" environment across the battlefields of the Pacific. This work examines the conduct of the Second Marine Division during its campaign of conquest against the Japanese held island of Saipan from June 15, 1944-July 9, 1944. It is based upon traditional military history sources to test their theories in context of the conduct of Marines toward Japanese soldiers and civilians during the Saipan campaign. Did Marines practice a war of extermination or conduct themselves in a humane manner?

Abstract The perceptions of school leaders on the effectiveness of the school leadership preparation program (SLPP) in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) public school system have not been examined. Highly qualified teachers are selected and trained for administrative and leadership roles through the SLPP. This qualitative case study was conducted to evaluate the level of effectiveness of the SLPP in the CNMI public school system. The conceptual framework was the Seven Habits of Effective Principal Preparation Programs by Davis and Jazzar. The theoretical frameworks were transformational leadership as articulated by Burns and instructional leadership. The research questions involved how aspiring leaders and their mentors described the effectiveness of the SLPP in the CNMI public school system and how aspiring leaders' field experience helped them learn essential skills associated with transformational and instructional leadership. A purposeful sampling of 4 participants was used, consisting of current school administrators who had completed the SLPP. Interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data. Interview data were transcribed, and transcripts were examined, organized, and synthesized to develop codes and themes. Member checking was used to validate transcriptions and findings. Findings from this study show that relevant courses, knowledge and experience in curriculum and instruction, internship and mentoring, leadership skills gained by participants, and relationship and collaboration are among the components that must be included in the SLPP. The social change can be derived from this study is that the findings from this qualitative case study are meaningful for policymakers, district leaders, and school leaders in the CNMI public school system.

The endemic avifauna of Guam and the Mariana Islands represent a unique assemblage of bird species found nowhere else in the world and thus, are of considerable biological and conservation importance. Unfortunately, most of these species are understudied and exist in precariously low populations. The endangered Mariana Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami), one of the last remaining native waterbirds, is a prime example of this since information is lacking for development of an effective recovery plan. Thus, this thesis attempts to provide much needed information regarding moorhen space use, seasonal movement, distribution, and abundance. In Chapter 2, the dynamic use of space and movement among moorhens within and across landscapes on multiple islands is explored throughout the annual cycle. Adult Mariana Common Moorhens were radio-marked on Guam (N=25) and Saipan (N=18) to determine home range and inter- and intra-seasonal movement patterns in 2000 and 2001. Birds were tracked throughout the dry and wet season. During the dry season, 48 and 11.1% of radio-marked adults on Guam and Saipan, respectively, dispersed from their capture site to another wetland site. During the wet season, 71.4 and 70% of radio-marked birds on Guam and Saipan, respectively, dispersed from their capture site to another wetland site. In 2001, Saipan moorhen surveys indicated juveniles dispersed during the onset of the rainy season. Thus, intra-island movement increased during the wet season. Similarly, inter-island movement occurred from Saipan to Tinian during the onset of the wet season. On Guam, moorhens were more likely to move greater average distances in the wet season than the dry season. Among Guam moorhens captured on Fena Reservoir (N=9), Guam and that dispersed during the 2000 wet season, 66.6% returned to Fena Reservoir during the 2001 dry season. During the wet season, the frequency of movement among sites was inversely proportional to the average distance between each site. Home-range estimates on Guam averaged 3.1 ha �� 4.8 SD and did not differ significantly between sexes or seasons. However, during the dry season, females exhibited significantly smaller mean core areas than males. To our knowledge, this is the first radio telemetry study that has taken a multi-island approach to understanding a mobile islands species throughout its annual cycle. In Chapter 3, population estimates for the Mariana Common Moorhen were determined on Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota from island-wide surveys conducted from May through September 2001. We estimate the total adult moorhen population to be 287, including 90, 154, 41, and 2 adult moorhens on Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, respectively. Surveys also revealed changing moorhen distribution throughout the annual cycle and suggested inter-island movement from Saipan to Tinian occurred during the onset of the wet season. Surveys conducted on Fena Reservoir from March through August 2000 indicated adult moorhen numbers were significantly less than those from a similar survey in 1988. In addition, nest surveys of six territories revealed 58.8 % egg loss and 71.4% chick loss. Conservation efforts for this subspecies have mainly focused on protection of remaining wetlands. Efforts need to be expanded to include more active monitoring of populations, vegetation management, and predator control on wetlands throughout the Marianas and Guam.<br>Graduation date: 2003

This Comparison of legislative and executive branches in the U.S. unincorporated territories thesis deals with political systems in unincorporated American territories - Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Today these territories stand as an integral part of the USA, but they do not hold federal state status. This study focuses on political systems of the individual territories, specifically on their legislative and executive bodies. It also explores relationships these territories have with the continental U.S., their status within American political system and it outlines genesis of autonomous government institutions of these territories. Concurrently, this thesis also elaborates on problem areas stemming from for example dual citizenship and citizens of these territories not being able to participate in presidential elections. This work comprises of five case studies that focus on political institutions of the individual territories. The main contribution of this study lies in the comparison work. In comparative analysis of the executive bodies and analysis of the extent of governors' authority within individual territories, and in the comparison with federal states. It also provides comparative analysis of legislative bodies of...