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COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Title
THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
Creator
WILKINSON, DONNA KAY, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description
Statement of the Problem: This study was undertaken to examine the standing committee structure at Broward Community College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its purpose was fourfold: 1. To record the development of the standing committee system. 2. To describe the current committee structure. 3. To determine the number of decisions made by each committee between A~gust 1974 and December 1976 and the number implemented by the college. 4. To survey the attitude of administrators and faculty toward...
Show moreStatement of the Problem: This study was undertaken to examine the standing committee structure at Broward Community College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its purpose was fourfold: 1. To record the development of the standing committee system. 2. To describe the current committee structure. 3. To determine the number of decisions made by each committee between A~gust 1974 and December 1976 and the number implemented by the college. 4. To survey the attitude of administrators and faculty toward the committee structure. Procedure: A search of the college archives uncovered the information necessary for constructing the history of the development of the standing committee system. The general profile of the current committee structure was completed through data supplied by the Executive Vice President and the twenty-three committee chairpersons. An examination of the minutes of each committee from August 1974 to December 1976 revealed the number of recommendations made during that time; each was then checked with an appropriate college administrator to determine whether it had been implemented. Lastly, the attitude of administrators and faculty toward the committee structure was measured by a thirty-three item survey instrument. Delimitations: This study was limited to the current standing committee structure and the full-time faculty and administrators at Broward Community College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. No attempt will be made to generalize results beyond institutions of a similar size, structure, and purpose. Results and Conclusions: The data lead to the following conclusions: 1. Throughout the college history, the committee system has not evoked particularly strong critical evaluation. 2. Specific goals and the committee's role in governance remain unclear to many people. 3. Committee chairpersons understand the committee's function as a recommending body . 4. Students are not actively involved in most of the college standing committees. 5. The joint appointment of committee members by the administration and the Faculty Senate is well-received and results in committees that are quite well balanced on a number of variables. 6. Faculty control the corr~ittees. 7. Senior faculty and administrators do not dominate the committee structure. 8. Since many committees meet infrequently, a heavy concentration of ex officio committee responsibilities among top administrators does not necessarily result in an unreasonable drain on their time. 9. Chairperson appointments are not rewards for any particular college group. 10. Many of the committees that meet infrequently make no recommendations at all. 11. Chairpersons are applying reasonable solutions to the problem of accommodating members from four locations. 12. Despite the existence of a dual procedure for preserving committee minutes, important historical information is lost when these procedures are not uniformly applied. 13. The workload varies greatly among committees. 14. Overall, the college implements a high percentage of committee recommendations. 15. Although administrators and faculty share some reservations about committee effectiveness and efficiency, they do not want the system abolished; however, they do favor some changes. 16. The size of committees is not perceived as a problem, but most respondents favor a reduction in number. 17. Committee assignments are viewed as additional burdens rather than as opportunities for shared decision making. 18. Position classification and sex have little effect on attitude toward the standing committee structure. 19. Strength of response to some aspects of the standing committee structure is influenced by length of service at the college and by highest degree earned. 20. Strong opinions on the standing committee structure are not influenced by division assignment. Summary: In view of the strengths of its current committee system, the college should be pleased with the structure's potential for excellence; however, it must also recognize the system's weaknesses and be willing to modify the standing committee structure to create an efficient and effective system which not only grants faculty a voice in decision making but also reaps their respect.
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Date Issued
1977
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11701
Subject Headings
Committees, Teacher participation in administration, Broward Community College--Administration
Format
Document (PDF)