NMC seeks $9M budget for FY10

The Northern Marianas College is seeking the governor’s approval for its $9 million funding request for fiscal year 2010, which includes nearly $3 million for the U.S. apprenticeship program.

In a four-page budget transmittal, NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez and Board of Regents chair Charles V. Cepeda indicated that the new budget submission is based on priorities established by the college, after completion of a comprehensive program review in 2008 and in accordance with the PROA Strategic Plan for 2008-2012.

“Our requested budget amount, if approved, will enable NMC to carry on activities necessary to meet the goals and priority initiatives as specified in the strategic plan. But more importantly, it will enable the college to work toward meeting the college’s mission as mandated by NMI Constitution and toward maintaining reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges,” the two officials said.

From the $9 million total funding request, general appropriation and vocational education program is allocated $6.074 million, which slightly exceeds the amount stipulated in Public Law 9-53.

The law guarantees not less than $6 million—or 1 percent of the general revenue of the CNMI—for the islands’ lone tertiary institution.

The breakdown of the budget request calls for $5.1 million for general appropriation, of which $4.6 million is earmarked for personnel and $450,000 for “all others.”

NMC is expecting to get $969,390 from Public Law 10-66, of which $960,000 is set for personnel and $9,389 for “all others.”

Some $2.9 million is budgeted under the U.S. apprenticeship program stipulated in P.L. 15-5. Some $1.2 million will be for personnel while $1.8 million will go to all others.

The NMC budget proposal was approved by the Board of Regents in their Jan. 28. 2009, meeting.

Fernandez and Cepeda stated that the budget submission includes the minimum critical positions required for NMC to maintain accreditation.

“We were cited for severe lack of administrative capacity to operate a community college. We will continue to prioritize the college’s programs to ensure that our operations are effective and efficient and that we maintain accreditation,” they said, adding that NMC will also expand its efforts to achieve external funds, including federal grants and donations.

Based on the consolidated budget summary estimate submitted by NMC, a total of $7.1 million other funding is anticipated in FY 2010 by the college.

Of the figure, a total of $3.1 million is projected to come from the college’s operations, tuition, and fees while $4 million will be sourced from federal and sub-federal grants for NMC.

Records showed that from tuition and fees, $2.2 million is set for “all others” while $843,000 will be used to pay personnel.

Of the anticipated federal assistance, $2.3 million is set for personnel cost while $1.6 million will be utilized for operations and “all others.”

NMC, with the combined $9 million request and $7.1 million projected other funding, stands to receive in FY 2010 $16.2 million in total budget if approved by the Legislature.

NMC officials revealed that from the $4.6 million personnel budget next fiscal year, 43 percent will pay for instructional faculty; 17 percent will pay for staff at the president’s office, institutional advancement, institutional effectiveness and Tinian and Rota offices.

The student services is allocated 16 percent of the total personnel cost, 15 percent is set for financial and administrative support staff, 5 percent for academic programs and services, and 4 percent for community programs and services.

Under the budget submission, NMC identified 134 full-time employees.