Capital investment on community college campuses had grown increasingly tricky to calculate correctly even before the coronavirus pandemic, as enrollment fluctuated, more students took online courses and employer needs continuously changed. To date, COVID-19 hasn't radically altered anyone's planning. But with that added factor thrown into the…

This paper identifies approaches, challenges, and best practices related to planning and designing today's academic library learning spaces. As part of the Project Information Literacy (PIL) Practitioner Series, qualitative data is presented from 49 interviews conducted with a sample of academic librarians, architects, and library consultants.…

With an emphasis on planning and cutting costs to make better use of resources, facilities managers at community colleges across the nation have undertaken facilities audits usually with the help of outside engineers. Such assessments analyze the history and structural integrity of buildings and core components on campus, including heating…

The two campuses that make up the West Valley-Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) in northern California's Santa Clara County share a history typical of many community colleges across the country. Its buildings were constructed in the 1960s and '70s, and like many public structures of that vintage, today they bear the ravages of time--in…

As community colleges continue to experience record enrollments, administrators must face the challenges of growth. The unprecedented growth in community college enrollment is due to both the rising expense of higher education at four-year institutions and the number of people returning to school to train for careers in higher demand. However,…

Space is both an asset and a burden for colleges and universities. On the one hand, space holds enormous value for institutions; their campuses and buildings are worth, in many cases, hundreds of millions of dollars. Space is the medium in which the institution operates. Online courses have proven that education can be conducted anywhere, but most…

California Community Colleges are facing increased accountability while at the same time experiencing reduced and uncertain state funding. When resources are not properly allocated there is waste, public criticism, and ultimately increased oversight. A review of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) sanction letters…

This report provides a staff review of a proposal by the Solano Community College District to convert its existing facility in Vallejo to a state-approved off-campus educational center of Solano Community College. Educational centers can be a cost-effective means for meeting educational needs of a region through agreements with local high schools,…

The survey on hot topics was added in 2007 to the annual survey of state directors of community colleges conducted by the University of Alabama Education Policy Center. The survey data provided an opportunity for examining the personal attitudes toward the hot topics and the associations between these attitudes and state contexts. This study finds…

This report reviews the proposal by the Rancho Santiago Community College District to convert its facility in Orange to a state-approved educational center. Educational centers are a cost-effective means for meeting increased student demand and of serving a region's educational needs because they often involve collaboration and shared facility use…

In the 20th century, Los Angeles built its reputation as a city of golden excess, enshrouded in smog and traversed by freeways. In the 21st century, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is helping the City of Angels fashion a new reputation--one of sustainable living. From 2001, when the district's board first passed a $1.2 billion…

The bricks-and-mortar infrastructure of community colleges has not nearly kept pace with increases in student enrollments. Not only are colleges bursting at the proverbial seams, but, according to the American Graduation Initiative, many two-year institutions "face large needs due to deferred maintenance or lack the modern facilities and…

The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) recognizes the importance of educational centers as a cost-effective means for meeting increased student demand. Educational centers are an economical way of serving a region's educational needs because they often involve collaboration and shared facility use with high schools, university…

California plans its development of public higher education facilities using policies called "space and utilization" guidelines and standards. These are budgetary planning tools that can measure existing and future need for academic spaces such as classrooms, laboratories, research space, and faculty offices. California's current space…

Administrators of today's community college are sprucing up facilities with new amenities and services to attract students and cater to their needs. Administrators say competition for students is fierce and that good facilities can make a big difference when students are deciding on which school to attend. While students cite academic quality as…