NMC’s new 4-year degree OK’d

After lengthy deliberations both in open and executive sessions, the plan to offer a brand new four-year degree program at the Northern Marianas College was approved by the Board of Regents yesterday.
The new baccalaureate degree in business will bring to two the number of four-year degree programs available at NMC. The other is the baccalaureate degree in elementary education.

The degree program in business will be offered beginning this fall 2014 semester.

The next step is for the college to submit what is called “substantive change” to the senior commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This essentially informs WASC that the college will be offering a new four-year degree program.

NMC, which is currently under the Association of Community Colleges and Junior Colleges, wants to shift its accreditation to the senior commission, which allows the offering of more than one baccalaureate program and multiple associate degree programs. ACCJC and the senior commission are both components of WASC.

Elizabeth Rechebei, the board’s program committee chair, endorsed yesterday the implementation of the new program after the fiscal committee outlined its advantages to the panel.

Fiscal committee chair William Torres said that based on the fiscal-impact analysis provided by the college, the new program will bring about $34,000 in direct financial impact to NMC in its first year of offering. Torres said that NMC expects to need only three additional faculty members and targets a minimum enrollment of 48 students per semester. NMC plans to adopt cross-utilization of resources including technology, facility, and manpower.

Torres said his committee finds it “meritorious” for the Board of Regents to “bless” the new initiative as it would create a big difference not only for individuals but the CNMI in general.

Prior to voting yesterday, Rechebei disclosed that the program’s endorsement is tied with assurance that Rota and Tinian students will not be left behind and other existing programs will be not affected.

Rechebei pointed out that NMC has been working on expanding its baccalaureate program offerings for the longest time but has been hampered by accreditation concerns, among others.

Several students and faculty were present at yesterday’s meeting where they reiterated their pledge of support for the new four-year degree.

Leonisa Laoyan and Vanessa Andrea Espinosa, who are graduating from NMC this semester, appealed to the board to approve the new business degree program, which they intend to pursue at the University of Guam next semester.

Espinosa, a business student under the hospitality management, is convinced that by offering a similar business degree program at NMC, many local students would stop transferring to other universities and colleges. She said this would bring substantial savings to the individual students and their families.

The same sentiment was echoed by community member Irene Tudela.

NMC staff Lisa Hacskaylo shared that in her 20 years of serving the college, she has noted “the interest and a great desire” of students to pursue a four-year business degree.

Eric Plinske, former NMC business department chair who serves as a member of the program advisory council, said that NMC’s decision would help retain scholars on the island. He mentioned that in the past, the college tried to work with universities and colleges to partner on a business program at NMC—all of which never materialized. He cited a 2006 survey among students where 150 respondents said they wanted to be involved in a business degree program once it is offered at NMC.

Lizama airs concern

Prior to voting yesterday, board member Juan Lizama pointed out some concerns specific to the implementation of a new four-year degree program in business.

Among these is the assurance that the new program would be taught by qualified and credentialed staff, and the ability of the college to hire them.

“I’m not against [the new program], but I have to look at it deeper,” said Lizama, who also asked for a brief executive session before the voting of members.

Students, some holding placards stating their support for the new program, were elated upon the board’s approval yesterday.

Alex Shen, president of the Associated Students of NMC and former honorary regent, believes that this fall semester, “there would be a decent amount of students who may enroll in the business program.”

Shen disclosed that most students that transfer to UOG every year pursue the business course offered at the institution.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart was also elated with the board’s decision and recognized the hard work done by the college’s employees in preparing all data and information for the new program.