HOULTON, Maine — Houlton nursing students enrolled in the Northern Maine Community College’s received a shocking letter in the mail last week, when they learned nursing classes would no longer be offered in Houlton.
The cut was one of several serious reductions made by NMCC officials to help bridge an anticipated $470,000 budget deficit for the 2015 fiscal year. (See accompanying article).
NMCC President Timothy Crowley spoke to students impacted by the decision Friday morning at the Houlton Higher Education Center and spoke with the Houlton Pioneer Times afterwards.
“It was a tough decision, but we will still have parts of it (the program) here in Houlton,” Crowley said.
Every two years NMCC selects eight students to attend classes in Houlton at the Houlton Higher Education Center to avoid the commute to Presque Isle. Those students are currently halfway through the two-year program to obtain their nursing degree.
In the letter sent to students dated May 19, NMCC Academic Dean Dottie Martin stated “Northern Maine Community College is facing a budget challenge for the 2014-15 academic year and thus has found the need to reduce costs in several areas. It has been determined that nursing classes will no longer be offered in Houlton. The faculty member and students for the nursing program will need to be relocated to the NMCC campus in Presque Isle.”
Crowley said he could understand how some of the students may have misinterpreted the letter sent.
“The idea that we will not be delivering any nursing instruction in Houlton is not the case,” he said. “The students will still be able to get some of their clinical rotations here in Houlton and some of the lectures through video conference. However, we will not have a full-time faculty person on site.”
Six students were enrolled in the program this past semester at the Houlton Higher Learning Center. Several of those students expressed strong concerns over the elimination of the nursing position in Houlton when they received their letter May 20.
“I am concerned for my program and my obvious investment in keeping the program up and running in Houlton for the next year,” said student Kate Michaud. “I have many concerns regarding the far-reaching effects closing this program will have on the community of Houlton and surrounding areas. Many members of our community strive towards an acceptance into the Houlton branch of the nursing program and by closing it we will be losing educational opportunities in this community. Many students will choose to leave this area and gain an education elsewhere further removing valuable resources this community needs to thrive.”
“This will have huge effects throughout this community,” Michaud added. “Many students chose to stay in town to apply for this program. Removing it will cause many members of the community without the ability to achieve their dreams of a well-paid job. I am beyond understanding what has happened to the funds received from the state grant to Maine community colleges this past year.”
Student Elizabeth Sewell said attending classes at the Houlton outreach has enabled her to continue her dream of becoming an obstetrics nurse. She first was enrolled in classes at the University of Maine at Fort Kent before learning NMCC offered an outreach program in Houlton which allowed her to remain home, work a job and take classes.
“After completing my first year of nursing school on May 14, I was so proud of myself for what I had accomplished,” Sewell said. “I felt happy to have a break from school, but was looking forward to continuing my education in the fall knowing I wouldn’t be feeling those ‘freshman jitters’ the first month or two of school, as I knew I would be returning to Houlton, a familiar place in which I had a whole year to adjust to and be comfortable with.”
Sewell said she calculated the cost of gasoline alone would be roughly $960, which was more than she spent on tuition last semester. She would also no longer be able to work her current job.
Student Cara Brinkherhoff echoed those sentiments.
“We just had an advisor’s meeting last week and nothing was said about this (reduction in the program),” Brinkherhoff said. “I have been working in nursing homes for six years and have been thinking about getting my nursing degree. It would be more money, job stability and better opportunities. If we don’t finish the program next year, we are not anything.”
Crowley said the students will not have to travel to Presque Isle five days a week to continue their education. The students will, however, have to make some trips.
“The change is, we will not have a full-time faculty member there (in Houlton),” he explained. “In the past, we had someone there with the students and now we won’t. It may require some additional travel to Presque Isle because some lectures will have to be delivered in person by a faculty member. Or there may be a lecture and lab immediately following, which may require them to be in Presque Isle.”
Crowley said when speaking with the students he addressed several of their concerns.
“We will review the specific class schedule that impacts these students and see where their travel problems will be,” he said. “We will use video conferencing and Houlton Regional Hospital for clinical experiences. We will see what we can do to minimize their travel to Presque Isle.”
Crowley said the NMCC officials will meet again in July to review the students’ schedule and will send the students a letter informing them of whatever changes are in store. He added the college would most likely sit down with the students again to go over those changes, in order to review each student’s individual needs.
“These students will be great advocates for their patients because they have been great advocates for their program,” Crowley added.
