State Coordination and Local Control: The Community College Experience in Striking a Balance

Abstract

An inherent difficulty in statewide coordination or control of community colleges is the maintenance of a balance between the needs and interests of the state and those of the locality. While it is recognized that there should be a separation of function between state agencies and the local board, it is also contended that this line is often overstepped by both sides. The great issue is how an individual college can retain the power needed for effective governance while governmental agencies expand their controls in the name of economy, efficiency and accountability.In 1974, a study was made of the relationships between state coordinating boards for community colleges and local community college governing boards in six states, the legislative authority assigned to each, and the relative degrees of this authority as exercised in making policy decisions in four administrative areas. Elements for which each board has the authority to decide policy and either does or does not, and those elements for which a board does not have the authority to decide policy but does exercise it were identified. The major conclusions were as follows: When statutory designation of authority was lacking or vague, more interaction between state and local boards occurred; conflicts occurred when state board operations began to hamper institutional operations and development; accountability was a major issue when financial questions are involved. In an effort to make individual units more accountable, the state decreases the ability of the unit to carry out its mission; rules and regulations that constrict Downloaded by [University of Strathclyde] at 04:05 02 December 2014 152 A. J. STURTZ AND S. V. MARTORANAinstitutional operations and tend to make all institutions identical in operations not only reduce autonomy but also destroy individuality and vitality.