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…

This paper provides a brief overview of Oakton Community College's (OCC) cluster organization, which is believed to foster offering of true interdisciplinary education. OCC is organized into four learning clusters, each of 30 full-time and 40 part-time faculty, 1,500 students, and headed by a dean. Each cluster is semi-autonomous; authority is…

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…

The model of a cluster community college is described in this book. The chapters of the book are as follows: 1. Need for a New Organizational Model (Three Structural Anomalies, The Department: A Critical Analysis, The Department: A Status Study); 2. Dynamics for Change (Creative Tensions, Pre-Conditions Required for Planned Change); 3. Some…

Report on the advantages and disadvantages of the interdisciplinary cluster system at Oakton Community College (Illinois) after five years. Reviews effects on students, faculty, administrators, and curriculum. (RT)

Explores institutional efforts to bring balance to past over-emphasis on rational and cognitive processes by underscoring the value of human feelings. Discusses specific community college programs exemplifying innovative approaches to institutional organization, human development education and staff development. (AC)

This report describes the organizational plan of Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC). LAMC has chosen a structure stemming from the cluster concept, involving semi-autonomous clusters, each small in size. These characteristics enhance student-faculty-administrator relations and permit each instructional unit to participate directly in its own…

This paper reviews the student-centered cluster college concept of organization employed at Oakton Community College (Illinois) and compares this approach to traditional organization by academic department or division. The advantages offered by the division structure include intradisciplinary interchange among teachers, coordinated budget…

This bibliographic essay cites books and ERIC documents which discuss organizational change in the community colleges. Specifically referenced are cluster colleges, management by objectives, and multiunit community colleges. (NHM)

The philosophy of the cluster system operating at Oakton Community College (OCC) is described in this paper along with changes that have occurred in the system over the past few years. Part I describes the social, political, and educational environment in which the philosophy of the cluster system was forged. Additionally, this section identifies…

Considers the characteristics and benefits of learning communities/clusters/coordinated-studies programs, contrasting the unique features of the programs at LaGuardia Community College, Seattle Central Community College, and Daytona Beach Community College. Learning community characteristics involve 25 to 100 students working with three or four…

In fall 1988, a study of full-time faculty and staff was conducted at Evergreen Valley College (EVC) to identify factors contributing to burnout and to create opportunities to allievate the problem. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to assess the level of burnout among full-time faculty, administrators, and classified staff at EVC and…

Oakton Community College is organized into four learning clusters, each comprising a group small enough to maintain "recognizability" and a sense of belonging. Each cluster has approximately 600 FTE students, 30 full-time faculty members, one learning resource faculty member, three counselors, and its own dean. The first of these…

In order to realize the goal of full opportunity that open admissions implies and to meet the needs of new types of students, we must restructure our educational institutions to meet the needs of individuals. Factors underlying the need to restructure are: (1) analysis of results of credit by examination shows that no particular method of college…