The chapters in this volume, in addition to the follow-up survey described in this chapter, constitute a study of the way adult education programs in small private colleges and universities relate to the institutions of which they are a part. The chapters not only present many variations of organizational relationships but also reveal some common…

The Lipscomb University Adult Degree Program exemplifies how a centralized governance system can benefit nontraditional college students and promote cross-departmental interactions. The two-person staff of the adult program at Lipscomb University envisions a number of potential benefits of having a much larger staff. However, such a programmatic…

Eastern Mennonite University's adult program uses a hybrid governance structure. Functions separated from the traditional program include marketing, admissions, and student advising. Functions that remain connected to the traditional program include the registrar, financial aid, and student business accounts.

Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, comprises three primary units that each serve a distinct population: the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is a residential college for roughly 2,800 traditional-age undergraduates; the College of Adult and Professional Studies and Graduate School (CAPS/GS) serves roughly 2,200 adult learners at both the…

North Park University's adult program has moved steadily from a centralized governance structure toward a more distributed structure in many ways. The School of Adult Learning hires its own faculty, some of whom are full time in the adult program. The school also has autonomy over academic policy. Ultimately, this academic autonomy has fostered…

In ten years, Alaska Pacific University has moved from a totally decentralized administration of its adult online program to a very centralized structure. Drastic changes in funding sources and student needs have compelled the university to take new approaches. As the learning landscape continues to shift for adults, online learners, and Alaska…

Eastern University has moved from a distributed model to a centralized model for administration of its adult degree programs. This move involved numerous factors and motivations but one central component in the ultimate success of that move was a significant change in the role of faculty assigned to the program. Once regarded as rather ancillary…

Abilene Christian University uses a hybrid governance model. Centralized structures include traditional program departments that supply the faculty and curriculum development for online graduate programs. Decentralized structures include an associate provost and separate student services for the online program.

Elderhostel, modeled on the youth hostels of Europe, is a national nonprofit organization offering older adults a week-long learning experience at any one of a national network of participating colleges and universities. The history and reasons for its success are described, along with a profile of its participants and an optimistic projection of…

The College of New Rochelle's School of New Resources is described including: adult participation in decision making (selection and development of courses, faculty recruitment, and courses and programs evaluation), and descriptions of extension centers and campuses (AFSCME-AFL/CIO, Co-op City, South Bronx, New York Theological Seminary, and…

Adelphi University, an institution whose primary recommendation is good teaching and whose principal source of support is tuition, can survive only by meeting the educational needs of the community surrounding it. Increased public services include: guest scholar program, Child Activity Center, class convenience, new student populations, and…