2012-2013 GENERAL CATALOG NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS P.O. Box 501250 Saipan, MP 96950 Phone: (670) 234-5498 Fax: (670) 234-0759 World Wide Web: www.nmcnet.edu Northern Marianas College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Northern Marianas College’s Associate Degree Programs are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges 10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204 Novato, CA 94949 | Phone: (415) 506-0234 Fax: (415) 506-0238 | E-mail: [email protected] | Internet: www.accjc.org ACCREDITATION Northern Marianas College’s Baccalaureate Degree Program in Elementary Education is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100 Alameda, CA 94501 | Phone: (510) 748-9001 Fax: (510) 748-9797 | E-mail: [email protected] | Internet: www.wascweb.org RIGHT TO MODIFY OR CHANGE RULES, FEES, AND PROGRAMS Northern Marianas College has made reasonable efforts to provide in this catalog information that is accurate at the time of publication. However, the college reserves the right to make appropriate changes in procedures, policies, calendars, requirements, programs, courses and fees. When feasible, changes will be announced prior to their effective dates, but the college assumes no responsibility for giving any particular notice of any such changes. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create any offer to contract or any contractual rights. This College offers an environment free of alcohol and other drugs. For additional copies of this catalog: Download a free version online at www.nmcnet.edu Telephone the Office of Admissions and Records at 234-5498 to receive a free CD version. Attend a new student orientation for a free hard copy. Purchase a hard copy NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE 2012-2013 CATALOG Northern Marianas College Catalog Message from the NMC President Hafa Adai, Tirow Woomi, and Greetings! Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Northern Marianas College offers excellent educational programs delivered by highly qualified faculty utilizing modern teaching methods and classroom equipment. Committed to student excellence, our support staff is also continuously improving College services designed to make your college experience rich, efficient, and memorable. To help you reach your education and career objectives, the College offers several degree and certificate programs, including a bachelor of science degree in education (emphasis on elementary education, early childhood education, special education, or rehabilitation and human services), associate degrees in business, business administration (emphasis on accounting, business management, or computer applications), liberal arts, nursing, natural resources management, criminal justice, and hospitality management. Moreover, it offers short-term certificate programs in different vocational, academic, and professional areas. The College’s high academic standards, complemented by its strategic partnership agreements with other institutions, further provide you with greater flexibility and options as you transition into a four-year degree program. Many of our alumni members have already successfully transferred to prestigious, national and international universities. This catalog has been designed to provide you with valuable information about NMC’s admissions and academic policies, instructional courses, tuition and fees, financial aid options, and other important information you need for your academic journey. We encourage you learn more about the College by meeting with current students, faculty and staff members, visiting our campus, or logging on to the NMC website at www.nmcnet.edu. On behalf of the Board of Regents, faculty, and staff, we welcome you to explore your endless possibilities at the Northern Marianas College. Thank you, Si Yu’os Ma’ase, and Olomwaay! Sharon Y. Hart, Ph.D. President Northern Marianas College 2012-2013 CATALOG NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE TABLE OF CONTENTS TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDIT TO OTHER ACADEMIC CALENDAR ....................................3 INSTITUTIONS ...................................................... 38 COLLEGE PROFILE ...........................................4 PLACEMENT TESTING ................................... 39 MISSION .............................................................. 5 REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PHILOSOPHY ..................................................... 5 INFORMATION ................................................. 39 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ............. 5 TUITION AND FEES ......................................... 44 ACCREDITATION .............................................. 6 CAMPUS AND FACILITIES............................... 6 REFUND POLICIES .......................................... 46 SAFETY AND SECURITY .................................. 7 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS .................. 48 COURSE AVAILABILITY.................................. 7 DEGREE REQUIREMENTS ............................. 49 STUDENT SERVICES .........................................8 FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID ............................ 51 LIBRARY SERVICES ......................................... 8 OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS ................................. 52 OLYMPIO T. BORJA MEMORIAL LIBRARY .. 8 APPLICATION PROCEDURES ........................ 54 THE PACIFIC COLLECTION ............................. 8 ACADEMIC INFORMATION .......................... 63 CNMI ARCHIVES ............................................... 9 CURRICULUM RESOURCE CENTER (CRC) ... 9 SCHEDULE OF COURSES ............................... 63 COUNSELING PROGRAMS & SERVICES ..... 10 COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM ................... 63 CAREER SERVICES ......................................... 11 CREDIT HOURS ............................................... 63 TESTING SERVICES ........................................ 12 CREDIT BY EXAMINATION ........................... 63 STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS............ 13 INDEPENDENT STUDY ................................... 64 COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE GRANT ... 13 AUDITING COURSES ...................................... 64 COURSE WAIVERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS . 65 STUDENT LIFE .................................................. 16 TIME LIMIT FOR COURSEWORK .................. 65 STUDENT GOVERNMENT.............................. 16 REPEATING OF COURSES .............................. 65 SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM .................. 17 COURSE LOAD ................................................. 66 STUDENT CLUBS............................................. 17 ACADEMIC WORK LOAD .............................. 67 PROA NEWSLETTER ....................................... 18 GRADING SYSTEM ......................................... 68 STUDENT CENTER .......................................... 18 GRADE APPEALS............................................. 70 STUDENT EMAIL ............................................. 18 GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) ................... 71 STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION ...... 19 EDUCATIONAL LEVELS ................................ 71 GRADE REPORTS ............................................ 72 AUXILIARY SERVICES ................................... 19 ACADEMIC RECORDS .................................... 72 BOOKSTORE .................................................... 19 ACADEMIC HONORS ...................................... 72 SNACK BAR ...................................................... 19 PRESIDENT‟S LIST .......................................... 72 HOUSING .......................................................... 19 DEAN‟S LIST .................................................... 72 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ..................................... 20 PART-TIME STUDENT HONORS ................... 73 COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PERSONAL INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES ........................... 73 ENRICHMENT (CSPE) PROGRAM ................. 20 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT REGULATIONS.............................. 73 CERTIFICATE TRAINING (WDCT) STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES ...................... 73 PROGRAMS ...................................................... 22 CLASS ATTENDANCE .................................... 73 COOPERATIVE RESEARCH, EXTENSION STUDENT RIGHTS REGARDING RECORDS 73 AND EDUCATION SERVICE (CREES) ........... 23 STUDENT CONDUCT ...................................... 74 ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE) ............... 24 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ............................. 75 ACADEMIC PROBATION AND SUSPENSION ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT .................. 26 ............................................................................ 75 ADMISSION WITH TRANSFER CREDIT ....... 35 READMISSION AFTER SUSPENSION ........... 76 NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE 2012-2013 CATALOG ACADEMIC DISMISSAL ................................. 76 EDUCATION ................................................... 130 STUDENT APPEAL AND GRIEVANCES ...... 76 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ...................... 139 FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE (ELI) ................ 140 PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) .................................. 77 COLLEGE ENGLISH ..................................... 142 POLICY ON NONDISCRIMINATION ............. 78 GEOGRAPHY ................................................. 142 POLICY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT ........... 78 HEALTH........................................................... 143 LANGUAGES ................................................. 144 DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS .. 79 LAW .................................................................