Northern Marianas College president Dr. Sharon Hart hopes to move forward with campus reconstruction, exploring facility-financing options through the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Rural Development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our college now in strong standing with our accreditation, it is time that we move forward and start addressing these major facilities challenges that we have, especially the need for new and improved classrooms and areas for student services,\u201d she told Saipan Tribune in an interview.<\/p>\n
The college is primarily looking at options through USDA\u2019s Rural Development, she said, talking with officials based out of Guam and Hawaii recently.<\/p>\n
The college met with USDA area director Joseph Diego Tuesday morning. They looked at USDA\u2019s \u201cRural Economic Development Loan,\u201d for example.<\/p>\n
Hart highlighted the loan\u2019s \u201cexcellent interest rates\u201d that are around 3.75 percent, according to her, and added that \u201cthere really is no base amount\u201d for the loans.<\/p>\n
But their availability would depend on ensuring in the long run that a repayment source is identified for these loans that usually max out at around 35 to 40 years, according to her.<\/p>\n
She pointed to Guam where legislation was passed to support USDA funding \u201cto help guarantee that payment availability for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
NMC already meets the basic criteria for the loan, making them eligible to apply. But \u201cthe issue would be more of, \u2018Can we repay? Can we guarantee a source for our payment?\u201d according to Hart.<\/p>\n
She said this is just one opportunity they could look at. They could also leverage a combination of sources, working with U.S. Department of Education, leveraging with Housing and Urban Development, and other federal agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe important thing for us is coming up with a plan and sitting down with our local leaders\u2014especially the governor and the Legislature\u2014to really get into those discussions about the future campus of NMC.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said improving the campus is \u201calso about competition\u201d for international students. \u201cWe not only draw students from the CNMI, we draw students from abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described the college facilities as \u201coutdated,\u201d saying that they \u201cbursting at the seams in many areas,\u201d as classroom sizes for many of their classes are \u201cnot appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not cost effective with an old campus like that. You are putting up so much money into repairs and remodeling all the time\u2014that you are really better off looking at something more appropriate for the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The college has not undergone major reconstruction since it was built on or about 1955 as a single story, semi-concrete hospital.<\/p>\n
Waiting in the wings is the first stage of a Beca-designed campus reconstruction, estimated to cost $27.5 million. The Board of Regents adopted Beca\u2019s master plan in 2011.<\/p>\n
According to its capital cost plan in 2010, it would be implemented in 10 stages, with a total project cost of $60,730,000.<\/p>\n
If completed, the first phase would usher in a new education building, new library, and new student center.<\/p>\n
New classrooms, vocation studies and science buildings, as well as new car parking and other building refurbishments would follow in the latter 10 stages, among other things.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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