Looking back over the 14-year history of Oakton Community College (OCC) with its cluster system of organization, this paper examines the distinctions between discipline-oriented organization and the cluster system, and discusses the current rationale for OCC's maintenance of this approach. First introductory material describes how the president…

This report from the President of Oakton Community College (OCC) to the Board of Trustees presents and supports a recommendation to retain the college's interdisciplinary cluster system. Following introductory comments, the report discusses reasons for establishing a cluster college at the present, highlighting the benefits of this systems for…

As part of a reorganization study underway at Oakton Community College, this report presents the pros and cons of retaining the college's interdisciplinary learning clusters or moving to discipline-based divisions. Following introductory material, the report explains the methodology by which two representatives from each campus cluster, one…

Organized on cluster college concepts, the University of West Florida promises an education with the advantages of the small college while making available to students the kinds of resources a university can offer. Each college has at least one department from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, and education. (Author/MSE)

An overview of the evolution of the innovative University of California, Santa Cruz, looks at its origins, campus organization, curriculum and instructional philosophy, campus design, leadership and faculty, student population, campus life, and curriculum design. Strategies for and obstacles to effective change are highlighted. (MSE)