The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the processes that private two-year colleges experience when determining the feasibility of converting to a four-year college. The study was based on responses from administrators, faculties, and board members of fourteen colleges. The research questions address: (1) factors that influenced the decision to change; (2) practices and procedures implemented; (3) problem areas encountered in the process of change; and (4) guidelines that could contribute to the efficiency of the substantive change process. / This study was limited to the private two-year colleges in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools with enrollment of 800 or less that had converted, or attempted to convert, to four-year status since 1977. All colleges in this study were visited after all questionnaires were returned. Three colleges were chosen for in-depth case studies after all data were reviewed and analyzed. / The three in-depth case studies involved major constants that impeded progress: (1) there were no pre-application guidelines for two-year colleges considering conversion to four-year status; (2) none of the college administrators anticipated the increased expenses during and after converting to the four-year program; and (3) the length of time to complete the conversion process was underestimated. / This study recommends that further study be made regarding fund-raising growth after an institution changes, the perceived image of the college after change, and the reliability of the needs analysis conducted prior to change. A recommendation was also made for further study to determine the need for a workshop to prepare faculty for participation in the change process. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-02, Section: A, page: 0429. / Major Professor: John Waggaman. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_78177 |
| Contributors | Sandifar, Dallas Eugene., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 170 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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