Changing a Community College

An attempt was made to change a community Coll by: (1) using constructs of general systems theory; (2) employing change methods of didactic teaching, training, survey feedback, consultation, structural change; (3) implementing a program planning & budgeting system. The conceptual bases of change effort (entry, systems theory, & survey feedback) are first discussed in their relation to the Coll. The data collection is then described; the sample consisted of about 500 people from 5 groups (students, faculty, administrators, clerical staff, & board members) who were asked to give a measure of 8 variables, grouped under 5 aspects of the transformation subsystem; (a) goals & values, (b) technology, (c) structure, (d) psychosocial, & (e) managerial. 6 weeks after the data were collected & analyzed, the feedback package was distributed. Members of the feedback group were interviewed & asked to fill out a leadership & climate questionnaire. The survey revealed that the Coll was a "very healthy organization" in terms of those variables measured, while the interview data revealed common organizational problems & issues. The actual effects on the Coll are broken down into short & long term. The survey feedback initiated change strategy resulting in long lasting effects. 3 Tables. R. Lent.