A proposed $20 million student learning and simulation center could be added to the Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) campus if state lawmakers approve funding for the project.

NMC President Tim Nelson appeared before the Michigan Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee last week to pitch the new center, which would feature 35,000 square feet of reconfigurable team-based learning space, technology-rich classrooms and simulation and interaction areas. West Hall – now home to NMC's campus bookstore, student activities and administrative and dining services – would be renovated and expanded to house the new facility.

The learning center is identified as the top priority in NMC's Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan, which the college must submit annually to the state. If approved by legislators, the state would fund 50 percent of construction costs, with NMC providing the $10 million match through private contributions and designated plant fund reserves.

“The project is tied to two of (NMC's) strategic initiatives, which are 'Helping Students Learn' and developing allied health initiatives,” Nelson wrote in the college's project request. “The (center) will expand our ability to use technology for a wide range of learning experiences, along with the expansion of our healthcare simulation training.”

Nelson tells The Ticker the center would have significant ramifications not only for NMC students, but other community partners as well. “We've talked with Munson (Medical Center)...about this being utilized for training,” he says. “I could see the intermediate school district using it for some of their programs. My expectation is we would serve as much of the northern part of the state as possible by providing access (to the center).”

In recent years, numerous professional areas including aviation, maritime, logistics and healthcare have adopted “three critical learning environments,” according to Nelson: individual simulation, multi-disciplinary simulation and team-based learning. While NMC has added simulation laboratories for individual learning, the college does not “have appropriate spaces or technology, particularly in the healthcare area, to accomplish the second two growing needs,” Nelson told lawmakers.

The center would also feature individual and small team learning labs, private study and coaching spaces, flexible eating/studying spaces, and incorporated Student Life activities and health services areas.

NMC's Board of Trustees – which will discuss the project at its meeting tonight (Monday) – will likely hear back from the state by the end of the year. The college has identified the center in previous capital outlay project requests, but was passed over for funding. Last year, the subcommittee approved two community college capital outlay projects; NMC's application was ranked six. This year, the subcommittee chair invited Nelson and other community college leaders to Lansing to present their proposals in person.

“The process is somewhat political,” says Nelson. “I don't really have a sense of whether or not funding will be available. If something happens, it will most likely be between the (Legislature's) lame duck session and the end of the fiscal year.”

If the board doesn't hear anything by the end of December, says Nelson, the “process will continue to cycle.” The combination of the importance of the center to the college's future and its costly price tag means NMC will likely continue to approach the state as a funding partner for the project.

The college is also working on a potential new campus development that would include student apartments, offices, and a new college bookstore.