Offers background information about a report developed by a state-appointed committee concerning the mission, governance, and financing of the Maryland community colleges in light of current trends and future needs. Highlights major recommendations. (DMM)

Offers a review of the work of California's Commission for the Review of the Master Plan for Higher Education, focusing on the Commission's recommendations in the areas of: (1) ensuring both access to education and academic success; (2) college mission and functions; (3) faculty and administrators; (4) governance; and (5) finance. (DMM)

Contends that executive-level administrators must provide strategic leadership of the institutional mission if their community colleges are to adapt and respond to learner needs. Reports that content analyses of mission statements from 102 colleges revealed seven salient themes: access, workforce and economic development, comprehensive…

Identifies problems that will face community college leaders in the mid-1990s (e.g., social and economic stratification, poorly prepared students, and questions about institutional mission and role). Considers the consequences of efforts to implement a comprehensive mission. Speculates on the character of the new generation of colleges and their…

Describes a study of trustee ethics. Telephone interviews were conducted with 30 community college presidents to identify the extent to which trustees exhibited 17 ethical behaviors in their interactions with presidents and college employees. Only 30.6 percent of the respondents rated their trustees as always behaving ethically. (DMM)

Reports on a 1989 study which investigated course offerings (n=22,931) at 29 Michigan community colleges to determine the condition of general education. Reports low availability and breadth of general education courses, contrary to the perceptions of campus administrators surveyed. Suggests steps to evaluate and enhance general education…

Urges two-year colleges to embrace the academic education of underprepared students as part of their institutional mission, provide appropriate remedial courses for students with lower academic skills, and offer workshops and training sessions for faculty to equip them with the skills needed to properly assist and teach these students. (DMM)

Traces perceptions of the role of early two-year colleges, comparing the public's view of junior colleges as transfer institutions with professionals view of them as terminal institutions. Cites views of leaders of the junior college movement, faculty and staff attitudes, and popular aspirations. Updates the debate over two-year colleges' role.…

Describes a study which used the Community College Goals Inventory to survey the presidents, academic administrators, and trustees of 22 North Carolina community colleges and several state-level administrators regarding the importance of 80 goals. Finds support for the traditional goals of vocational/technical preparation, general education, and…