For four years, the author of this article was the English department learning community coordinator in one of the larger learning community (LC) programs in the country. During his tenure, the number of composition sections linked with courses in other departments grew from a handful to sixty-four. Over this same period, the retention rates for…

Argues that community college organization at the department level presents challenging leadership issues for the newly appointed department chair. Asserts that existing culture, which looks upon the chair with some mistrust, demands chairs who behave as peers rather than military commanders. Concludes that democratic leadership is the most…

In an era of diminishing public resources, community college departments need a budgetary system in which options are clearly spelled out, consequences projected, priorities delineated, and budget requests made that are functional and provide useful results. Unfortunately, few colleges and even fewer departments are developing and utilizing such…

One of the most distinctive features of academic departments in community colleges is their multi-disciplinary nature. While the creation of multi-disciplinary departments usually results from pragmatic considerations, they do present some advantages over one-subject departments in that faculty are obliged to learn other disciplines and a system…

This report from the President of Oakton Community College (OCC) to the Board of Trustees presents and supports a recommendation to retain the college's interdisciplinary cluster system. Following introductory comments, the report discusses reasons for establishing a cluster college at the present, highlighting the benefits of this systems for…

Discusses the problems surrounding inservice development programs for deans and department chairpersons in junior and community colleges, including budget considerations, time constraints, selection of topics, planning, and implementation. Offers suggestions for making inservice activities productive. (Author/WD)

Suggests that community colleges might consider replacing their current discipline-based divisions, which are homogenized and hierarchically undifferentiated, with a more program- or degree-oriented structure. Compares the traditional and program-specific models. (DMM)

If there is to be communication and mutual assistance between community colleges and universities, three myths about community colleges need to be dispelled: that they teach almost nothing but basic or remedial English, that no research is possible for those university people who study community college English programs or for community college…

Focuses on the role of the department chairperson in helping achieve curriculum and instructional improvement. Provides a general profile of the chairperson; examines roles and responsibilities, job frustrations, faculty expectations, and lack of performance data; offers recommendations for improving performance. (DMM)

Analyzes the relationship of Saddleback Community College's structure to functions and outcomes in the context of current changes in structure at the state level. (KEH)

Offers a personal account of a loaned executive program, whereby a Southern California Edison corporate communications employee served as interim chair of Cerritos College's journalism department. Reviews benefits to the firm and the college, and lessons learned during the experience. (DMM)

As part of a reorganization study underway at Oakton Community College, this report presents the pros and cons of retaining the college's interdisciplinary learning clusters or moving to discipline-based divisions. Following introductory material, the report explains the methodology by which two representatives from each campus cluster, one…

Urges faculty in academic departments and programs to learn nonprofit marketing. Recommends periodic curriculum evaluations to determine new or extended uses of programs, more compelling marketing strategies, and modifications needed to respond to environmental changes. Advocates a greater sense of college community within and among departments.…

Teaching in the two-year college, which was once considered to be a stepping-stone to teaching at a four-year college or university, has become a unique profession in itself. In the years ahead, community colleges should be actively involved in cooperating in developing English curricula. Prospective teachers of English at two-year schools need to…

Analyzes the structure of a communications department at a rural comprehensive community college by focusing on the grouping of components as well as their place in the status framework. Discusses the behavior of the system as a consequence of the structure as well as its evolution. (KEH)