NMC sees enrollment decline with stricter tuition collection

The Northern Marianas College Business Office disclosed it is prepared to face the unlikely possibility of a decrease in student enrollment starting next semester with a proposed implementation of more stringent tuition payment plans for students who have signed and automatically agreed to the terms of its promissory notes.

The college has taken this firm stand in efforts to recover some $2.8 million in unpaid fees from students over the past years.

The Business Office met yesterday with officials from the Commonwealth Credit Bureau, a collection agency, proving true an earlier promise to initiate concrete measures that would give students, with long overdue tuition bills , compelling reasons to settle their obligations.

Starting next semester, college officials warned it will not allow students with tuition balances to enroll at CNMI’s lone postsecondary institution.

“It’s either we collect, that’s one side of it, or lose some students. We’re going to take the chance,” according to the Business Office.

The community college is then set to implement a stricter and more binding promissory notes enumerating terms and conditions.

Unlike the previous academic years when NMC banked on weak tuition payment terms, the Business Office has vowed to correct the mistake through well-structured promissory notes.

“Before, there were no specifications of the payment period. The notes just read that they promise to pay and students signed it. It was a half page document that did not even specify they are expected to pay before a semester ends,” said the NMC Business Office.

The new version now states an undersigned must promise to pay NMC the total amount in three equal installments, the first of which is to be paid on or before the preliminary examinations, the second installment to be paid on or before the mid-term examination, and the final installment, to be paid on or before the finals.

The Business Office has proposed to Board of Regents Fiscal Committee for a further restructuring of the current promissory note, one that can be used as a “real” collection tool, both to recover past years’ and current semesters unpaid dues.

According to latest proposal, with the full cooperation of all parties involved and strict adherence to the fresh collective campaign, the college could pull off an effective conversion of receivables into actual cash.

All fees, under the new plan, shall follow an installment plan period all due always before the preliminary, mid-term, and final exams are taken.

Under the provision, no student is allowed to take the finals unless full payment is made on the current semester fees. However, the director of Finance and Administrative Services, with the recommendation of the comptroller or his designee, may give exception in extreme justifiable situations. according to the proposal.