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NMC says it is ready to face Senate
The Northern Marianas College is ready and looks forward to providing the CNMI Senate with information on how it uses local and federal funds.
In a statement to Saipan Tribune, NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez said she looks forward to providing the information that Sen. Justo Quitugua (Ind-Saipan) asked for in a letter to NMC dated Feb. 6, 2018.
In the same statement, Fernandez said that NMC has seen “tremendous progress” on several capital improvement projects made on the campus, such as the completed renovations of the NMC Student Center, NMC student cafeteria, NMC School of Education, School of Education Curriculum and Resource Center, NMC Bookstore, and many more.
Working from a “student first” approach when choosing priorities for the college, Fernandez said she is grateful for “Senator Quitugua’s and other legislators’ support as we help our students reach their educational goals, expand training opportunities, and build the CNMI through a robust local workforce.”
Quitugua’s letter revolved around NMC’s participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Alternative Pilot Project, which uses public assistance grant funding awarded to NMC for the construction of new facilities instead of repairing old ones.
Fernandez pointed out that it was FEMA that gave NMC funds for the rehabilitation of the NMC Gymnasium, which was rendered unusable when Typhoon Soudelor ravaged the CNMI in August 2015.
According to Fernandez, the new facility can accommodate 2,000 people and can be used for multiple purposes beyond sports, to include professional activities, graduations, concerts, and even for emergency activities. She plans to share this information with members of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth Affairs at their Feb. 21 meeting.
