Community colleges are essential to meet state educational attainment goals, yet the colleges are largely underfunded to serve underprepared students entering through the open door of access. As resource-dependent institutions, community colleges need to engage in the politics of higher education through advocacy. This chapter presents results…

Lists "do's" and "don'ts" that can help trustees be effective in working with state and federal legislators. (DC)

The views of state legislators and agencies that govern higher education must be considered along with institutional perspectives on approaches to assessment of student learning outcomes. This chapter provides a review of performance indicators from twenty-nine recent state reports and discusses their implications for the assessment of student…

Explores the attitudes of legislators towards the college public relations function through interviews with Florida senators and representatives, and cites the need to establish a clearer identity with them in order to secure necessary funding. (RT)

Urges community colleges to reevaluate their relationship with the governor's office and state legislature. Offers suggestions for trustees regarding understanding the legislative process, organizing the lobbying team, involving state legislators in campus activities, assisting with reelection efforts, establishing a reputation for credibility,…

A broad spectrum of ideas and practices that should enable colleges to reassess and/or develop strategies for relating to the public are included in this sourcebook. Topics include (1) a model for public relations that includes development and internal and external communication; (2) the necessity of the personal involvement of the chief executive…