NMC receives new computer system

The NMC Foundation recently provided a grant of $166,200 to the College for the purchase of a new computer system. This generous contribution from the NMC Foundation will tremendously assist the College to improve its record-keeping processes and enhance the overall data collection efficiency of the institution.

NMC faculty and staff volunteers are now working to get the college’s new admission, registration, and records software system ready for Spring Semester 2001.

Acting NMC Information Systems Manager Frank Oliver said the 15 volunteers are entering information specific to their departments such as course data, course pre-requisites, class format and layout, and so forth after undergoing brief training on the new ABT PowerCAMPUS academic software system. He said this data inputting task is needed before student academic records can be fully implemented on the new system.

“This is a very, very good product,” Mr. Oliver said, “it is extremely stable and easy to use.”

He said the system has been running smoothly without a crash.

The new SQL-based system integrates admissions and records, course and fee accounts receivable, billing, and cash receipts.
Oliver said the system is used by hundreds of colleges and universities because it automates many tasks that were previously done manually.

“When fully implemented, PowerCAMPUS can automate bill generation during registration and keep track of payments,” he said.

The acting manager said in addition to transcripts, grade reports and billing, the system is also capable of automatically notifying academic advisors when a student’s grade point average falls below a predetermined level.

NMC purchased the software license and associated personnel training and on-site implementation for approximately $200,000, of which $166,200 was provided by a grant from the NMC Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 1997 to assist the college in “improving the quality of its educational programs and services by encouraging and obtaining private sector support and contributions.” It is an independent, non-profit corporation established by the Board of Regents to serve as NMC’s primary conduit for donations and to develop and manage the endowment funds, of the institution

The current Board of Directors serving in the NMC Foundation are Jerry Facey (president), JM Guerrero (vice president), John S. Tenorio (secretary/treasurer). The other members are Jean D. Sablan, Clarence T. Tenorio, and two from the NMC Board of Regents.

Recognizing the increasing role of NMC to the overall development of the CNMI, current Foundation members and key college administrators are planning to develop a new NMC Capital Campaign to raise CIP funds for the construction of urgently needed classrooms and other physical facilities.

Any individual or corporate organization that is interested to help in the NMC Capital Campaign are encourage to call Tony Deleon Guerrero, director of Development and Alumni Relations at 234-5498, extension 1014 or email him at TonyG@nmcnet.edu.