Although emergency aid programs have existed on community college campuses for years, no extant research has articulated which emergency resources students apply for and how students prioritize these resources against others (e.g., food needs compared to housing needs). To better understand student emergency aid needs shortly after the World…

This chapter describes the impact of major changes in community college funding on its open-access mission, as well as on the work and responsibilities of college leaders as they attempt to balance the increasing demands made of their institutions while concomitantly grappling with diminished public fiscal support.

The purpose of this study was to examine how successful FGCS in community colleges addressed challenges they face in order to complete their degree programs. This study was based upon Titno's (1993) Model of Student Departure and explored what methods and programs were most beneficial in helping FGCS overcome the challenges they faced as they…

California community colleges are expected to provide a broad range of affordable educational opportunities to an increasing number of students, but the current system does not have sufficient funding to serve them all well. This report describes present budgetary sources and explains that colleges receive mostly discretionary funding. With the…

The focus of the study was to examine the impact of the recession on (1) community college funding, (2) community college student support services, and (3) on student enrollment. This study relied on data from document analysis and interview of community college personnel and students. The current crisis has resulted in a steep budget reduction to…

When California approved its budget last month, the community-college system managed to escape the sharp budget cuts that befell most other agencies. But the state's fiscal troubles have nonetheless created a cash crisis for two-year colleges. As part of its plan to close a $41-billion budget deficit, California will delay providing $540-million…

The United States economic recession is now in its third year and continues to have a serious impact on the American higher education system, including Illinois' public community colleges. Illinois community colleges are seeing increases in enrollments while at the same time seeing significant decreases in state funding. The purpose of this…

Given the trend toward declining revenues from traditional funding sources, finding the dollars needed to operate a college is today's major challenge for educational leaders. One financial area that provides fertile ground for many two-year college leaders is the effective use of foundations and private sector fund raising. The approach to…

Outlines variables related to success in securing federal monies and in establishing programs of private gift solicitation for the support of community-based programs. (AYC)

Discusses the special funding problems of small/rural two-year colleges, whose main supporters are the state and private donors. Reviews funding options and models, various formulas, and criteria. Suggests the differentiated flat grant as a funding approach and that specific formula dimensions be determined legislatively. (DMM)

2010 marks the 50th anniversary of California's famed Master Plan for Higher Education, arguably the single most influential effort to plan the future of a system of higher education in the annals of American higher education. This essay builds on the analysis offered in a previous CSHE research paper ("From Chaos to Order and Back") by…

Today many community colleges are faced with a multitude of financial problems that threaten the stability of their educational and operational programs. These problems include decreases in funding, rising costs, outdated funding formulas, and volatile enrollment patterns. The extent to which individual community college leaders understand these…

After defining marketing, describes the application of strategic marketing planning to community college funding problems. Delineates alternative sources of funding and creative techniques for tapping them. A marketing index for higher education is appended. (AYC)

From the early 1960's to about 1970, the hunt for revenue absorbed most of community college educators' energies and ingenuity. Today, while they continue to search for new sources, educators are looking at the other side of the balance sheet--namely, better utilization of resources through improved management and cost effectiveness. This…

Presents an economic analysis of public finance based on criteria of equity and efficiency. Discusses the operational problems and issues confronting community college practitioners and policymakers. Reviews public finance and cost-sharing in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and California. Recommendations include deemphasizing enrollment-driven…