The Subcommittee was formed to study the fifteen community colleges that exist within the Commonwealth. The study was to include an evaluation of the present funding system to determine whether it is adequate and sufficient to meet current and future needs of the community college system and include an assessment of the current fiscal relationship between local sponsors and the colleges. The study addressed issues of community college outreach, access, participation, and student success to determine if current funding allows the colleges to provide the necessary levels of counseling, testing, and advising to students; analyze the role community colleges should play in the work force/economic development of this Commonwealth; assess the cost and benefits of partnership efforts between community colleges, high schools, and four-year institutions; and the role of community colleges in providing access to higher education to underserved areas of this Commonwealth and the need for the expansion of the current community college system were some of the other factors that the Subcommittee considered.

The Subcommittee members concluded that, in order for Pennsylvania’s community colleges to continue to provide a high quality, modest cost, post-secondary education to all Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania employers, state policy makers must implement major improvements in the current college education system. The changes must be made in the areas of administration, budget, collaboration, outreach, and access. Some of the recommended changes made by the Subcommittee were: establishing a statewide coordinating entity; replacing funding structures, create a statewide “virtual” community college; implement workforce development partnerships; expand services through telecommunications; and change financial audit procedures.