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NMC to push through with campus reconstruction
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, majority of the students of the Northern Marianas College had classes at these tents built in front of the college’s ruined gymnasium in As Terlaje. (Jayvee Vallejera)
Despite the current economic downturn and COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Marianas College continues with its plan to build new, resilient campus buildings.
According to NMC interim president Frankie Eliptico, NMC intends to push through with construction plans despite the economic difficulties the CNMI is facing.
“NMC is moving forward with the design and construction of new classrooms and student facilities that are resilient, energy efficient, technologically enhanced, and designed to meet the current and future learning needs of the CNMI,” he said in an email message.
Eliptico said discussion continues to determine a way to accelerate the construction of the facilities, considering that they already received a federal grant of $21.9 million to rebuild. “The college has already secured federal grants, including one from the U.S. Department of Education for $21.9 million that will be used toward new buildings. Some demolition and construction activity have been scheduled this summer, and we’re in discussion to determine how we can accelerate those activities in light of COVID-19 restrictions,” he said.
NMC is also working on securing other grants to contribute to the college’s recovery from Super Typhoon Yutu. Majority of the college’s buildings at its As Terlaje campus were destroyed in the typhoon.
“We are also working to confirm other grants and resources that will contribute the college’s recovery from Super Typhoon Yutu and the current pandemic, which has been declared a major disaster for the CNMI,” Eliptico said.
Recently, NMC received $1.8 million from the U.S. Department of Education under the CARES Act. A portion of the funds have already been disbursed to students whose lives and education were impacted by COVID-19.
