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800 enroll for 2009 NMC spring semester
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Posted on Jan 20 2009
The Northern Marianas College reported about 800 students who have enrolled in various degrees and certificate programs for the 2009 Spring Semester, including late registrants.
Regular classes began yesterday.
The Office of the College President said this semester’s enrollment number is close to the previous semester’s.
NMC stressed this initial estimate does not include enrollment for other nontraditional classes and programs that begin later in the Spring 2009 semester. Also not included in the count are new students who are registering this week during the late registration, which is up to next Friday, Jan. 23.
“The figure represents the approximate number of students who were enrolled in the college’s fall 2008 semester,” NMC said.
It also stressed that the spring enrollment is anticipated to increase with the launching of other classes, including ones that are part of the college’s Community Development Institute.
NMC said it acknowledges several challenges to its recruitment efforts such as the relocation of families away from the CNMI due to economic hardships and its show-cause accreditation status.
“Economic hardships are compelling some students to enter the job force immediately after high school,” it said.
Another challenge is the aggressive recruitment efforts by the military, which offers immediate financial bonuses for enlistment.
Despite this, NMC president Carmen Fernandez said she is pleased with the enrollment figures despite the current economic crisis.
Fernandez said they will continue to promote NMC programs to ensure that prospective students are aware of the benefits of attending the college.
These benefits, she said, include the transferability of credits to other accredited institutions, the relatively low cost of tuition in comparison to other colleges, and as well as the savings realized from not having to move off-island.
