The role of government in community college governance cannot be underestimated: state, provincial, and territorial governments are the formal creators of public colleges and the bodies that can alter governance arrangements. Nonetheless, local contexts are not to be overlooked. Interpretations of legislation and government policy give rise to…

This chapter reviews recent literature on the external fiscal environment in which community colleges operate and on the ways community colleges adapt to changes in that environment.

Proposes a classification scheme based on institutional control, geography, governance, and size in order to capture the diversity of two-year colleges in the United States. Argues that development of an easy-to-use classification system could serve to improve the precision of research on the community college. (Contains 16 references.) (NB)

Argues that, of the schemes described and proposed in this journal volume, Katsinas' proposal, which is based on institutional control, geography, governance, and size, meets the largest number of criteria and may have the best utility. Asserts that a system for classification of community colleges is needed. (NB)

Views the avoidance of difficult management decisions and the failure to direct change as major internal threats to the community college. Identifies external threats including intrusion from business and the state. Discusses the state's role in providing colleges with access to modern management/financial techniques and up-to-date equipment. (LAL)

Discusses the introduction of shared governance in California in 1988, noting that it ultimately did not materialize into an anticipated model of collegiality. Provides recommendations for institutions dealing with shared governance, underscoring the need to accept the past and present in managing change. Contains 13 references. (YKH)

As examples of the trend towards decision-making processes resting on the interaction of various legitimate public sector interests, the author considers outside forces producing operational strictures within the system, including executive orders, lapsing and allotment procedures, accounting requirements, information demands, legal opinions,…

Increasing state involvement in the decision-making processes of Connecticut community colleges limits the autonomy local college administrations need to achieve objectives and respond to local needs. Four areas of operation particularly affected by this trend are expenditure control, personnel, data processing, and facilities development. (LS)

Distinguishes between local role in community college administration and management and state role in coordination and leadership. Focuses on the need for state coordination in district organization, educational programs and services, acquisition of sites and facilities, finance, policies and procedures relating to students, research, and…

A relatively low level of state funding and an emphasis on cooperative efforts between local boards and state organizations to resolve problems have enabled Pennsylvania community colleges to maintain local control. They now face increased state funding leading to greater state control and a general trend toward more centralized control. (LS)

Control is a balance between decision-making at the state and institutional levels. In Mississippi, locally controlled two-year institutions with state coordination from an effective community college system, which will meet future needs if imaginative and diverse local participation in statewide concerns continues. (LS)

Cites ERIC documents dealing with institutional autonomy, the state's role, sources of financial support, and educational coordination within community college systems. (LS)

Discusses issues implicit in changes in community college fiscal support, such as alternate funding sources and patterns, the effects of legislative policy, and the responses of administrators to the changes.

Discusses the position of leaders in higher education and state and federal government toward coordination, statewide planning, centralization, role definition, finance, and enrollment as they relate to Michigan postsecondary education in general and community colleges in particular. Includes results of a survey of voters and postsecondary…

In theory, Illinois community colleges are governed and controlled by local boards; in reality, much of this control has shifted to state agencies such as the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Specific areas affected by this shift are budget, courses and curriculum, leases, and renovations. (LS)