Story and Photos by
Mark Graven
Staff Reporter
Students will now be charged five dollars per semester for a General Parking Permit, according to CNM officials.
CNM President Tracy Hartzler partipated in a recent web meeting with the CNM Executive Council of Students (ECOS) and the end of free parking was one of the first things she was asked about.
ECOS President Alex Crossland said, the move away from free parking would be quite a shock to students, many of whom are economically strapped during the Covid pandemic.
“The timing is lousy,” said Crossland.
President Hartzler said, the fees were necessary to pay for a security camera system being installed around the CNM campuses.
“The security system will make the campuses safer for students and faculty,” she said.
Hartzler noted that even though the parking fee will be increased the CNM governing board had decided against any increases to student tuition.
Crossland asked if facility fees could be reduced in light of most campus buildings being closed during the Covid lockdown.
Hartzler response was that facility fees needed to be maintained so CNM could convert to the technology needed for remote learning.
Colin Stapleton, ECOS outreach officer, asked Harzler about CNM’s new policy of including textbook and supplies with in the registration fee of a class. Stapleton said that the “including in” practice might preclude students from going for cheaper alternatives like buying used textbooks, or renting, or borrowing books or course materials.
“I may be paying more for a book I don’t need,” Stapleton said.
Hartzler said putting a package of materials together to be included in a courses often results in saving money for the students, and that the choice of “included” is up to the instructors of the courses. She said instructors have been encouraged to find open source materials on-line that reduce the costs to the students. Hartzler said she would provide further information on the matter at a future meeting.
ECOS Vice President Imane Bahji expressed concern that CNM was losing the sense of community that is emphasized in Community Collage with everything being converted to remote learning.
ECOS members inquired whether the library and CAT Theater could be re-opened, and whether clubs could conduct meetings in a safe but outdoors setting.
Hartzler said that how far CNM can go in reopening the campus would depend largely on the orders of the governor, and the governor’s health advisors.
She encouraged ECOS to let the administration know what the students would like to see open.
Hartzler said CNM would be going forward with a the plan for transferring from Blackboard to Bright Space as the formal communication system for remote learning.
She said she expected Bright Space to be in place for the spring of 2021 semester.
