Multi-College Districts - An Effective Practices Conversation

13.05 Research the Effectiveness of Multi-College Districts Whereas, Multi-college districts now exist in 21 of the 72 districts in the system; Whereas, The creation of a multi-college district occurs for a variety of reasons, including financial and operational; Whereas, The effects of the creation of a multi-college district on the academic needs, integrity, time and duplication of governance have not been studied; and Whereas, Sharing of effective practices for successful functioning of multi-college districts would assist colleges considering the creation of a multi-college district; Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges research the strengths and weaknesses of multi-college districts, particularly as they affect senates, time and effort of faculty, duplication of governance, implementation of governance as required by the Legislature, and other areas; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges collect and report on the effective practices for functioning in a multi-college district by the Fall 2007 Plenary Session.

History of Resolution Several colleagues from multi-college districts were ruminating about the woes of such Several colleagues from multi-college districts were ruminating about the woes of such We longingly explored the idea of irrefutably proving them to be a bad idea We longingly explored the idea of irrefutably proving them to be a bad idea As the dialog developed it became clear we could move forward with the goals being loosely defined as “examining the issues, pros, and cons of MCDs” As the dialog developed it became clear we could move forward with the goals being loosely defined as “examining the issues, pros, and cons of MCDs”

Survey generation and process The inherent complexity of this was daunting to several generations of RLS committees The inherent complexity of this was daunting to several generations of RLS committees Parallel conversations about conducting surveys was occurring at the Exec Committee Parallel conversations about conducting surveys was occurring at the Exec Committee The decision was made to hire consultants in some cases and a process was developed The decision was made to hire consultants in some cases and a process was developed This survey was the first such use of a consultant (CoBro Consulting) This survey was the first such use of a consultant (CoBro Consulting) The RLS committees followed by a small taskforce developed the basis which was refined, polished and administered by the consultants The RLS committees followed by a small taskforce developed the basis which was refined, polished and administered by the consultants

General Survey Info Respondents*: Respondents*: –49% Senate presidents –48% Faculty curriculum (co)chairs –10% District Senate presidents –5% Faculty planning/budget (co)chairs –2% Program Review chairs *Some respondents indicated up to 3 separate roles Colleges in district: Colleges in district: –34% Two colleges –36% Three colleges –30% Four colleges

Brief Survey Results Equity Trends/General District Function: Equity Trends/General District Function: –80% say colleges in district serve different types of students –59% general perception in district that other college is favored, only 39% among respondents – 52% say multi-college district structure makes life more difficult –51% disagree that district functions serve colleges equally well –64% agree that more functions should be carried out at college rather than district level

Funding and Budget Allocation Funding and Budget Allocation –22% not involved in district budget allocation –66% think district budget development somewhat or not effective –59% disagree that their colleges receive fair funding Brief Survey Results

Governance Governance –72% minimally or not involved in district structure –60% of colleges have appropriate level of autonomy in decision-making –65% say there are issues with duplication of efforts among individual colleges Brief Survey Results

Curriculum and Program Development Curriculum and Program Development Brief Survey Results

Some challenges presented by multi-college district structure Lack of coordination of efforts/working together Lack of coordination of efforts/working together Loss of college autonomy/top-down decision-making Loss of college autonomy/top-down decision-making Competition for resources Competition for resources Effect of size differences between colleges - budgeting, faculty workload Effect of size differences between colleges - budgeting, faculty workload Duplication of services and other efforts Duplication of services and other efforts

Some strategies/approaches employed to resolve challenges Lots of and effective communication Lots of and effective communication Regular district meetings emphasizing collegial consultation Regular district meetings emphasizing collegial consultation Develop written, clear organizational structure, policies, and procedures Develop written, clear organizational structure, policies, and procedures Better planning Better planning

Effectiveness of Processes in Multi-College Districts Quantitative Data Handout

General Discussion What are some of the participant observations about the survey data? What are some of the participant observations about the survey data? What are some participant experiences in multi-college districts? What are some participant experiences in multi-college districts?

Next Steps Given these data and today’s discussion, what would you like to see happen next? Given these data and today’s discussion, what would you like to see happen next? Is there any additional information that you would like to have? Is there any additional information that you would like to have?