So You Want to Launch a Satellite: A Practical Guide to the Development of a Community College Off-Campus Location

Dennis Huffman

Advisor: .

The Hub, VIP 3
November 02, 2004, 07:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Abstract:

This dissertation documents the opening and first three years of operation of Prince George?s Community College at University Town Center, an off-campus center located in Hyattsville, Maryland. Five broad areas, corresponding with selected functional areas of the College?s five vice presidents, are covered: facilities, instruction, student services, technology, and continuing education. Within each of these areas, the author explores operational issues encountered during the first three years of the Center?s existence. The facilities chapter addresses such issues as parking, security, custodial services, and procurement. The challenges faced at the Center are outlined, as are the strategies adopted for addressing them. Instruction is presented in four parts?scheduling classes, staffing instruction, sustaining instructors, and supporting learning. The scheduling section provides insight into the development of the Center?s first schedule and factors affecting subsequent schedules, particularly with regard to maximizing enrollment and space usage. The discussion includes issues related to full- and part-time faculty and examines reasons for the heavy reliance of off-campus centers on adjunct faculty. Implications, both from a policy perspective and from an instructional perspective, are presented, including strategies for faculty orientation and the dynamic of how the functions of the respective academic departments are represented and carried out by off-campus staff. This section concludes with an examination of tutoring, off-campus library services, and other systems for supporting learning. The Student Services sections focuses on ways in which a broad range of functions can be represented off-campus by a very small staff. Recruitment, admissions, testing, orientation, advising, cashier functions, and financial aid are each discussed. In addition, strategies for managing the front counter, as well as providing for college life services, are presented. Instructional and administrative technology and issues are presented as well. Connectivity and hardware concerns, software issues (particularly with regard to licenses), and facility design and staffing are discussed. The section concluded with a discussion of the Workforce Development and Continuing Education division. Scheduling, staffing, and student services issues comprise the bulk of the discussion regarding noncredit courses. The final chapter poses sets of key questions for various administrators at a community college to consider as plans are being developed for the opening of an off-campus center. The dissertation concludes with numerous appendices presenting key documents developed over the course of the Center?s first three years. These range from a parking permit and the sign-in sheet for student services to a faculty newsletter and the cooperative agreement with the local public library.