NMC sees large turnout at registration

Nearly 500 students enrolled at Northern Marians College Monday, the first day of registration.

This is approximately half the number of students the college hopes to enroll before classes start on Monday, NMC spokesman Mark Mendiola said.

“We’re just glad we’re getting these students to register and get ready for the new semester,” he said.

Because of NMC’s current accreditation situation, enrollment numbers have been declining during the last few semesters, he said. Last year the school enrolled about 900 students.

NMC has been on probation since February 2007 and was put on show-cause in February this year because, according to Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the school did not address previous concerns.

The school has until Oct. 15 to meet the requirements.

“We have our work cut out for us but we look forward to the challenge,” he said.

Mendiola said the school is trying to be as open as possible with students and the community about what is being done to alleviate the accreditation problems. For the past few semesters the school has regularly held information sessions where people can learn more about the school.

“We go out into community and invite people to attend and hear testimonials,” he said.

Students, staff and faculty share information about their experiences at the school.

Monday’s registration is a good sign that students are still interested in exploring what the college has to offer, Mendiola said.

He said the college has been stepping up marketing efforts.

“We have aggressively looked at visiting high school students and counselors to speak with them about accreditation concerns,” he said. “We addressed and shared with them what we’re going through.”

NMC is also targeting the private sector and government agent employees who might like to further their education, he said.

“It’s never too late to get an education,” he added.

NMC is also actively recruiting students form Tinian and Rota, Mendiola said.

NMC stopped offering credit courses at the Tinian and Rota sites on Oct. 8, 2007. The suspension followed a determination that educational and student services on both campuses are not equal to that on Saipan.

NMC registration continues through Friday from 9am to 6pm. On Saturday registration is from 9am to 12pm.