This book addresses persistent inequities in student outcomes, resource allocation, and institutional practices at community colleges, despite being known for their open access policies and educational opportunities for diverse populations. It presents research-backed strategies for creating more inclusive and effective learning environments for…

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the use of data for assessing library collection utilization, to explore what tools are available to help guide purchasing decisions, and to create a blueprint for applying percentage-based allocation formulas to community college library collection budgets. Because there is little literature on…

This paper discusses the key findings from a qualitative case study examining the implementation of an activity-based cost management model (ABC model) at a large community college. In a climate of fiscal uncertainty, the college adopted this model with the goal of improving budgetary decision-making. The paper examines faculty and administrators'…

Community college research studies have noted that full-time faculty add quality to the curriculum and enhance the student experience, as well as comprise a significant investment in college budgets and futures. However, in the context of fluctuating patterns of student enrollments and staffing, determining which disciplines need additional…

This chapter explores the relationship between strategic planning and budgeting. It describes how community college leaders can use strategic and foundational plans (academic, facilities, technology, and financial) to drive budgets and resource allocations in support of institutional goals and objectives. Finally, it identifies challenges of doing…

Recent improprieties by community college administrators have scarred the public trust. Efforts to secure against maladministration are firmly rooted in utilitarian and deontological ethics. In this article, the authors argue that these common approaches cannot remedy maladministration in the community college because utilitarianism and deontology…

This study seeks to extend the literature on higher education enrollment patterns during times of recession by examining patterns of enrollment and successful course completion in one of the world's largest higher education systems--the California Community College system. The data are drawn from publicly available data sources on the web. CCC…

Zero-base budgeting is presented as the functional alternative to the community college funding crisis which may be precipitated by passage in June 1978 of the Jarvis Amendment (Proposition 13) in California. Defined as the management of scarce resources on a cost/benefit basis to achieve pre-determined goals, zero-base budgeting emphasizes…

Zero-base budgeting as it is used at Allegany College is described. Zero-based budgeting is defined as a budgeting and planning approach that requires the examination of every item in a budget request as if the request were being proposed for the first time. Budgets (decision packages) are first made up for decision units (i.e., a course for the…

Discusses deans' responsibilities in financial management, including budget development, budget management, broker of resources, program review, and fundraising. Describes what deans need to know: categories of income, local tax assessment, financing new construction, and key accounting terminology. Looks at key challenges for deans and offers a…

Resource allocation and reallocation strategies for colleges who have financial problems are considered in three articles based on presentations to a national conference at the University of Arizona. In "Reallocation Strategies," James A. Hyatt discusses factors that shape institutional responses to reallocation and elements that should…

The need for a management information system for a community college is developed. Based on this need, a system is outlined. The system and data base are modular in structure. The modules included are: (1) Student, (2) Personnel, (3) Financial, (4) Facilities, (5) Community Information. Examples of the data which are part of each module are…

This third revision of Central Piedmont Community College's (CPCC's) institutional planning and budgeting guide focuses on expanding the involvement of staff in institutional planning, integrating the college's various planning processes, strengthening communication within the administration, and giving administrative areas more flexibility and…

Current budgeting techniques are reviewed in relation to their application to higher education, including (1) incremental budgeting, where decisions are based primarily upon former levels of expenditures, (2) zero-based budgeting, involving the establishment and ranking of "decision packages", (3) Planning and Programming Budgeting…

Community college trustees face critical decisions on policy issues. Instead of the growth-oriented marketing approach, the alternative of planned decline under board management is suggested. Alternatives, response to decline, role of faculty in policy determination, and new resource allocations are discussed. (MLW)