By: Amy Chapman
Throughout the history of community colleges, there has been an overriding issue of change. From their inception, community colleges have been in influx. The numerous functions of a community
Throughout the history of community colleges, there has been an overriding issue of change. From their inception, community colleges have been in influx. The numerous functions of a community college, such as vocational-technical education, continuing education, developmental education, and academic transfer preparation have created confusion, as to what is the mission of a community college. Confusion has led to problems within the system.
This constant turbulence is even evident when looking at how community colleges have developed over time. In the early twentieth century, community colleges were created to promote business and industry in the United States. Society would benefit from the masses gaining knowledge. By providing education, the workforce would be better trained to keep up with new technologies.
Another popular belief was to allow everyone an opportunity to meet their potential. Community colleges were given the task of making sure all individuals were offered choices to further themselves through education. This has required community colleges to provide remedial or basic skills studies, in order to meet the needs of these students. From this end of the spectrum all the way to the other, with the function of community colleges being community service, colleges today serve a wide range of needs. Schools were open to the public. Soon, short courses, workshops, and non credit classes were also offered.
An additional function of community colleges became collegiate transfer. Community colleges served as a lower-cost alternative to individuals, who eventually planned on attending a university. Universities, on the other hand, viewed community colleges as a place for adolescents to gain the skills necessary to progress forward in the educational process. Allowing universities to raise the bar for admission requirements and making research the focus of university campuses.
Added to all of those functions, community colleges also undertook the assignment of relieving society of its ills. Long ago, community colleges were given the task of rectifying social issues, ranging from racial integration to educating the young on teen pregnancy.
The community college has been the resource that many turn to help solve the problems that plague the nation.
Over the years, it seems that this lack of mission has hurt community colleges. Coupled with the changing economy and society and the lack of a clear mission, two problems have surfaced. These concerns are operations and funding. Today, these concerns are at the forefront of discussion at all community colleges. How these problems are addressed will set the future course of higher education.
Operations and/or governance have been the pitfall of many community colleges today. Although there are three models of governance, there are two that apply to community colleges.
The bureaucratic and political models are most often found on today’s campuses. The bureaucratic model is a formal structure that has a leader at the top making decisions. In the political model, the idea is to have a shared learning community working together to make decisions. Both of these methods of governing have draw backs. The structural and legal constraints of each method have proved detrimental to community colleges. In order to be successful, community college leaders need to address quality of programs/research, create policy, set values, and support collaborative leadership styles both within and outside their institutions.
The problem of funding is found at all community college campuses. Colleges have seen a flood of new students entering their doors, yet monies to provide their education has not followed. At one time, community colleges were small campuses requiring minimal support from public funds. Today, campuses are bursting with enrollment and diverse needs. Significant state aid and federal funding are required in order to meet the current demands. Recently, community colleges have been forced to increase class size, reduce the number of low enrollment classes, offer minimal student support services, decrease full-time faculty, and increase part-time faculty.
These are just some of the responses that schools have been forced to exercise in order to solve the problem of reduced budgets. Community colleges along with government agencies must work together to develop an increased and equitable funding model. Without additional funding, community colleges will not be able to continue.
We are at a crossroads. Combining the multiple missions of community colleges into a focused clearly stated mission is a necessity. Once there is a focus, the next steps are apparent. It is time to find solutions to operations and funding. This will not be an easy road. However, losing an American institution, community colleges, would be devastating.
Amy Chapman writes for http://www.college-search.us, a tool designed to help students find the right college or school. She also writes for http://www.weblearner.com and http://www.distancelearner.com, sites designed to help students select and succeed in a distance learning environment.
