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Elizabeth A. Kessel
I. The Committee met in Toronto in April 1999. Present were Elizabeth Kessel, Juli Jones, Ken Gleason and Roy Rozenzweig. Minutes were recorded by Damon Freeman and have been distributed to committee members.
II. Results of Survey and Implications for the OAH and the Committee
At the Roundtable Session: "What Do Community College Historians Do?" we distributed a survey, to which 24 people responded. There were respondents from 15 states and one from Canada: 5 -California; 1 Washington; 1 Arizona; 1 Texas; 1 North Carolina; 1 Maryland; 1 Virginia; 2 Massachusetts; 3 New York; 2 Indiana; 1 Michigan; 1 Iowa; 1 Missouri; 1 Ohio; 1 Wisconsin. Three of the questions have a direct bearing on our work.
- What should be the top priority for OAH in regard to historians at two-year institutions?
There was a pattern in the response to this question. Many respondents listed recognition and acceptance by the academic world as a major priority. Others stressed the need for OAH to help them in approaching the organization, i.e., how to get on panels. Many listed outreach. Others thought the organization could pressure institutions with regard to issues like fairness for part-time faculty and providing faculty time for research. The idea of mini-regional conferences was expressed several times. Teaching was mentioned, along with the suggestion of having panels with a broader perspective. The need for communication among faculty is strongly felt and was expressed in the suggestions to establish a website, to act as a liaison and to help connect community college faculty with colleges and universities and with others in the profession.
- How might the OAH Committee on Community Colleges serve your needs?
Many of the themes discussed above were repeated, namely: mini regional conferences; teaching related sessions; Website; panels on concerns affecting all historians; means to communicate; help remove stigma; mentoring programs for graduate students; help graduate students prepare for a community college career.
- What would you like to tell your four-year college and university colleagues?
Reach out to us Historians at community colleges work hard and set high academic standards. We would like to be invited to 4-year college events I take pride in teaching and appreciate the diversity of my students. More collaboration with all levels-precollegiate as well as 4 year I am a real historian. I do not have a long list of publications because of teaching load. We motivate students. We are all engaged in the same endeavor and our students become your students because of the high transfer rate. We do what you do. Respect choices
III. Relevant Statistics and Implications
Attached are tables, which illustrate some interesting trends. The growth rate at universities has been flat. The real growth is in community colleges and the 4-year institutions. History took a real setback in enrollments but has been making a comeback. The number of PhUs is still high. Graduate students who want to be history educators must be open to community college employment. While the community college membership has gained ground, the OAH must continue its outreach to this group since here is where the growth in the academic world is. There is nothing to indicate that this trend will not continue. We must be linked together more synergistically and productively than in the past. Issues of recognition and stigmatization must be met head-on, however, before community college faculty join. They also must be helped to negotiate a world, which is unfamiliar to them. They don't know how to get on a panel and they might not know what the expectations are. The OAH can assume a mentoring role.
IV. Recommendations
- Establish a Website for Community College Faculty
- Check with current community college members, and ask them if they would like to be part of a LISTSERV. OAH will need to have someone act as the monitor.
- Regional Conventions
- In St. Louis and other convention sites, check with local community colleges, see if they can sponsor a reception. Offer the local faculty a discount to join or attend.
- Arrange a panel at a community college-i.e. well recognized historians talking about their textbooks.
V. Other Committee Activities
- Organized a reception for the St. Louis Meeting for Community College friends and associates
- Organized a Roundtable on Community College concerns for St. Louis meeting
- In process-setting priorities for committee
Handout for the session "What Community College Historians Do: Careers in Two-Year Colleges" |
