STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY
COLLEGES

Chairperson: Samuel P. Massie, 1990

Homer 0. Elseroad, 1985; Miriam D. Sanner,
1986; William S. Sartorius, 1987; William V.
Lockwood, 1988; Francis H. Morris, 1988;
Charles Mindel, 1989; Linda S. Stroh, student
member, 1985.

James D. Tschechtelin, Ph.D., Executive Director

Stephen D. Millman, Ph.D., Associate Executive
Director

The Jeffrey Building
16 Francis St.
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2881

The State Board for Community Colleges was
established by Chapter 454, Acts of 1968, to
coordinate the community colleges in the State.
Until July 1, 1969, the Board served as an advisory
board to the State Board of Education; thereafter
the Board assumed its statutory duties.

The Board consists of eight members. Seven are
appointed by the Governor with the advice and
consent of the Senate for six-year terms. One is a
student appointed for a one-year term by the
Governor upon the recommendation of the com-
munity college presidents, with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The Board selects its own
officers and employees.

Prior to 1974, community colleges were gov-
erned by local boards of education. Chapter 454,
Acts of 1968, provided that local boards of educa-
tion sponsoring community colleges could request
of the Governor that they be divested of authority,
which authority would then be vested in separate
local boards of community college trustees. Chap-
ter 538 of the Acts of 1976 maintained existing
boards of trustees, and authorized the Governor to
establish, upon petition of the respective counties,
boards of trustees where no community colleges
currently exist, upon recommendation of the State
Board for Higher Education and the State Board
for Community Colleges. All local boards of
trustees are appointed by the Governor, except in
Baltimore City where appointments are made by
the Mayor and City Council.

The State Board for Community Colleges estab-
lishes general policies for the operation of the
State's community colleges. In addition, it con-
ducts studies on the problems of community
college education, assists the colleges in providing
expert professional advice in all areas of their

Independent Agencies/3 5 9

activities, reviews and advises upon all curriculum
proposals for newly established community col-
leges and for proposed major additions to or
modifications of programs in existing community
colleges, and recommends, reviews, and advises
upon proposals for the establishment of new com-
munity colleges. The Board also coordinates rela-
tionships among the community colleges to assure
the widest possible educational opportunities for
the students of the State and the most efficient use
of funds; facilitates the transfer of students between
the community colleges and the University of
Maryland, the State colleges, and other institutions
of higher education; coordinates relationships be-
tween the community colleges and the State and
local public school systems and the private high
schools in order to facilitate cooperation with them
in guidance and admission of students to the
community colleges; and arranges for the most
advantageous use of facilities. The Board estab-
lishes and maintains a system of information and
accounting of community college activities and
provides grants-in-aid for the prompt and adequate
planning of new colleges and new programs in
existing colleges. It administers the State's pro-
gram of support for the community colleges, and
assists and represents the community colleges in
seeking and administering federal funds available
to them. The Board also assists the State Board for
Higher Education in the performance of its duties
as they pertain to community colleges and in its
preparation of plans and recommendations for the
establishment and location of new facilities and
programs relating to community colleges.

The Board is also responsible for the establish-
ment of guidelines for community college financial
record keeping and the preparation of annual audit
reports (Chapter 642, Acts of 1978). The Board
reviews community college audits and manage-
ment letters to ascertain that community colleges
are audited in accordance with the statute and that
appropriate recommendations are implemented by
each college.

Chapter 279, Acts of 1979, authorized the Board
to designate certain community college instruc-
tional programs as statewide or regional programs.
Twenty-six programs have been so designated by
the Board. The intent of the designations is to
minimize unnecessary duplication in programs
while providing wider educational opportunities to
students.

Fifteen community colleges and two regional
community colleges have been established. Branch
campuses operate in three counties, administered
by a community college in a different political
subdivision under contract with the county govern-