NMC mulls tuition, fee hikes

The Northern Marianas College is considering a 35-percent hike in tuition, along with a 57-percent increase in fees and a 100-percent hike in international fees.

While discussed in a Board of Regents meeting yesterday, the proposed increase was not acted on.

According to the college, tuition has not been raised in eight years, with the last one happening in 2006 when it was raised by 46 percent.

The proposed increase has drawn a strong response from some NMC students, with Riya Nathrani, interim president of the Associated Students of NMC, challenging the board to consider the hike’s effect on student completion rates.

“If the increase does occur, students want better facilities, more programs, and more course sections,” she said.

According to the college, the additional funds from a tuition hike are necessary to pay for critical expenses like instructors’ salaries, as well as utilities and other expenses.

In a statement, the college noted the budget this week “was short [by] about $700,000 to cover current salaries.”

It also noted that its $600,000 average in utility costs per year is not covered by the recent budget and will be paid by tuition and fees revenue.

Speaking on behalf of NMC students, Nathrani presented data gathered from a recent survey among students on the proposed tuition hike at yesterday’s board meeting.

She also cited a petition calling for a gradual increase in tuition of about 10 percent per year.

“Students believe that the proposed amount of 35 percent increase in tuition and 57 percent increase in fees is too overwhelming, and about 147 have agreed and petitioned for an annual increase of 10 percent in tuition and fees. Like I said, they are not directly opposed to the tuition increase, we want it in small increments over time,” she told the board.

The survey gathered 282 responses from about 1,200 of the college’s students, according to Nathrani.

Out of 282 responses, 23 percent said they pay for college through direct funds from parents and family, 27 percent from working full- and part-time, and 18 percent from personal savings.

Some 46 percent of the respondents said they would register for fewer classes if the hikes in fees and tuition happen.

“We’re trying to help students complete their degrees on time then we shouldn’t pose them with a financial burden,” she said.

She also compared fees and tuition with Guam Community College, the college’s regional competition.

According to her, GCC has 23 programs of study, with foreign students charged about $180 per credit. NMC currently charges international students $190 per credit.

In just fees, international students would have to take on an increase $890, according to her.

“Although GCC is currently a bit more expensive than NMC, it has more opportunities and facilities. Guam has more opportunities, bigger businesses, a bigger tourism industry. This means more opportunities for students, so in order for us to compete with GCC, we need to provide a better institution or be cheaper,” she said.

She reminded the board that students from Rota and Tinian also pay for room, board, and utilities—much like international students—and with the cost of textbooks high, students are forced to cut down on their living expenses.

According to its website, NMC currently charges $95 per credit, with a flat fee for students taking equal to or greater than 12 credits of $250, on top of other administrative fees.

The college said payment plans are available for student so the tuition hike should not present an undue burden.