Exploring the Community College Function in a Metropolitan University

Abstract

Most metropolitan colleges have a symbiotic relationship with the community and a mission that typically includes serving the community. This study identifies the commonalities and differences among faculty, students, and community members in defining the university's purposes and mission. While there were many areas of agreement among the three groups, where differences occurred the community tended to play a pivotal role, siding with faculty on some issues and with students on others, but never introducing issues that neither faculty nor students felt were important.