NMC asks for more time to submit annual report

Northern Marianas College has asked the Legislature for more time to submit its annual report, saying it was too busy solving its accreditation problems.

The law requires NMC to provide an annual report to the Legislature on the details of the programs funded by the central government. The annual report is due before Sept. 30 of each year.

NMC president Carmen Fernandez in a letter to Senate President Pete Reyes and House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios asked for an extension on the submission to Jan. 31, 2009.

“As you know, the college has been working diligently to complete the work required to avert our show cause status,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges ordered NMC to provide reasons—or “show cause”—the college’s accreditation should not be terminated. The show cause order set a timeline for NMC to submit reports to the accrediting agency.

According to Fernandez, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to prepare the report due for submission to WASC-ACCJC on Oct. 15. After that report, the college must prepare the campus for a visit by WASC-ACCJC officials, set for Nov. 3-5, 2008. Following the visit, the college will have to prepare a supplemental report to strengthen or update the Oct. 15 report.

On. Jan. 7, 2009, the WASC-ACCJC will have a meeting, where they will decide based on the recommendation of the visiting team, whether to reaffirm or terminate NMC’s accreditation.

“We appreciate your support throughout these difficult times for the college,” Fernandez told the Legislature. “The management team and I have been working seven days a week and late nights to ensure that all the work is complete and on schedule. During these months leading up to January 2009, we must stay completely focused on accreditation work.”

NMC found itself on the brink of losing its accreditation after it failed to address problems pointed out by the WASC-ACCJC for many years.

Accreditation is important because it proves to the public that a college meets standards of quality, and allows students to access financial aid programs. In addition, many institutions look at accreditation when deciding whether to allow transfer of credits. In some cases, loss of accreditation could lead to closure of the college.