NMC board approves $3.1M budget for FY ’08-’09

Members of the Board of Regents of the Northern Marianas College approved a total operations budget of $3.1 million for fiscal year 2008-2009 during a meeting on Thursday , Oct. 9.

Board chair Charles Cepeda immediately signed Resolution No. 2008-02 on the same day to approve the budget request, attested by NMC president and BOR executive secretary Dr. Carmen Fernandez.

Fernandez said this is the first time in college history that they would be working with a budget that clearly links budget allocations to the five-year PROA Strategic Plan, institutional priorities, and results from lengthy but rewarding program review activities.

Last month, the board unanimously approved a plan that will be included in the college’s Oct. 15 report, illustrating the changes they have made in order to get off show-cause status.

The PROA Strategic Plan 2008-2012 lays out four goals for the college: promote student learning and success; respond to professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the Commonwealth; optimize financial and human resources; and accelerate the upgrade of physical and technological infrastructure. Each goal lists several initiatives to follow.

She said the board’s approval of the budget directly addresses the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges’ Team Recommendation 1, which—among other things—requires the college to integrate its planning processes, evaluation activities, and resource allocations.

“The budgetary process involved countless hours of extensive deliberations between students, staff, faculty, and board members who should all be commended for their commitment and dedication to formulating a balanced budget,” said Fernandez.

She said she is proud of all their hard work and dedication.

The resolution states that the board is committed to its mission statement to provide the best quality and meaningful postsecondary and adult educational opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the individual and for the Commonwealth as a whole.

The board said NMC should be responsible for providing education in the areas of adult and continuing education, postsecondary and adult vocational education and professional development for the people of CNMI.

The board said it recognizes that the newly approved budget must be consistent with mandates of local and federal laws, in addition to meeting the standards of accreditation set forth by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The board said this budget is a product of extensive deliberations by the NMC community, including its faculty members, students, staff and the Fiscal Committee of the Board of Regents.

“The board further acknowledges and appreciates that the main elements of the budget that differ from last year’s submission is the clear and direct links to the PROA Strategic Plan 2008-2012, Institutional Priorities, in addition to many of the recommendations for action that emerged from Program Review,” the resolution states.