The literature on community college governance indicates that these institutions actually organize themselves around the bureaucratic frame of reference although shared authority models are advocated. This assertion, however, is not fully documented; few, if any, studies have empirically assessed the governing mechanisms of community colleges. In general, the literature tends to be rather speculative and prescriptive and offers few theoretical insights. The only published work that deals exclusively with academic governance in two-year colleges was introduced by Richardson, Blocker, and Bender (1972). Bensimon (1984) suggests that these colleges exhibit strong bureaucratic tendencies and a very high level of administrative control. A realistic assessment of these bureaucratic tendencies is offered by Palmer (1984). He indicates that the historical evolution of these schools, their collective bargaining component, state level coordination, and other factors help explain these bureaucratic tendencies. The problem, however, is that no empirical evidence is presented to substantiate some of the arguments stated by both Palmer and Bensimon. Clearly, empirically based research studies are needed to establish solid basis for argument. The purpose of this article is to determine and analyze what is the most predominant mode of college governance in community colleges as perceived by community college presidents, deans, chairpersons, and faculty. The review of literature is presented first, followed by the theoretical model used to conduct this study. The discussion of the findings is presented next. Finally, implications of the findings are presented, including suggestions for further research.

Perceptions of Contemporary Governance in Community Colleges: An Empirical Study:

STUDENT GOVERNMENT PRESIDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR ROLE IN INSTITUTIONAL DECISION-MAKING AT A TWO-YEAR PUBLIC COLLEGE by Michael L. Sanseviro This qualitative study investigated the roles students play in institutional decisionmaking, and in particular how the students perceive both what their roles should be and what their roles actually are. Five Student Government Association (SGA) presidents, serving sequential one-year terms from 1999 to 2004 at one campus of a multi-campus two-year public college located in a large metropolitan area in the southeast, were interviewed. The qualitative research methodology employed thematic analysis to describe the students' perceptions in the context of both the letter and spirit of policy implementation regarding institutional decision-making. Through analysis of interviews, institutional documents, and documents at the statewide system level, this investigation explored a wide array of variables that affect the roles students play in institutional

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Student Government Presidents' Perceptions of their Role in Institutional Decision-Making at a Two-Year Public College

This is a study of student perceptions toward student participation in the governance of College of the Mainland. It was hypothesized that students do not participate because: 1. they are unaware of opportunities for participating; 2. they feel that institutional decision-making is nut their responsibility; 3. they feel their participation makes no difference; and 4. they feel that the issues of institutional decisionmaking do not coincide with their personal needs. A questionnaire was administered to the members of the Student Government and to a random sample of students. The means of the two groups were compared for each hypothesis. All four hypotheses were established at the .05 confidence level. The study includes recommendations. There is also a survey of the literature of student participation in college governance.

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A Study of Factors Relating to Student Participation in Community College Governance.

Additional resources on community college governance, supplied by the ERIC Clearinghouse for Junior Colleges.

Governance: Sources and information

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William L. Deegan

Papers

Student Government and Student Participation in Junior College Governance--Models for the 1970's.