NMC’s classes migrate online

The Northern Marianas College has decided that all classes that have a face-to-face component and hybrid classes—which means a combination of online and face-to-face classes—began virtually or online for the first two weeks of the fall semester.

This means that all face-to-face and hybrid classes will be meeting via NMC’s online system, known as Moodle, or Zoom, from Aug. 17 to Aug. 29. Additionally, all face-to-face and hybrid classes will be held on campus.

The email also stated that NMC’s students should expect more details for face-to-face courses from instructors and is recommended to check their email twice a day.

Furthermore, the $1.8 million that the college received last April 11 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act will help the college buy fundamental technology and upgrade its facilities, NMC interim president Frankie Eliptico said.

Out of the $1.8 million, the college released $920,000 to its students, leaving the rest of the funds to be used for the facilities upgrades and required supplies, which includes:

• 29% of it will go to technology (hardware and software resources) /
• Instructional materials
• 15% will go to new personal computing equipment
• 13% will go to facilities upgrades
• 13% will go to necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning and sanitation supplies
• 10% will go to new classroom equipment
• 5% will go to training for employees

“Although we have identified a plan for the CARES funds already, the plan will continue to change as we learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic and how we can help employees and students,” Eliptico said.

He said the new technology that the college will obtain will be used in a remote access server for employees to access NMC’s network from their homes, create Zoom professional accounts for faculty, a video teleconferencing equipment, and an online payment system.

“The college must remain flexible and adapt to changing circumstances during the pandemic,” Eliptico said.

The college will also help its students with any technology needs that they may have throughout a series of programs and vouchers. Also, with no income coming in for students due to loss of jobs, the college is working on a laptop loan program for students who have limited access to computer equipment.

The remaining CARES Act fund will be distributed to assist students with their internet payments. The college released $920,000 to students whose lives were impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.