Community College Women's Centers: A Question of Survival

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1998

Abstract

This report presents the findings from a study of 57 women's centers at community colleges across the country. In spite of the diversity of the origins and evolution of campus-based women's centers, the evidence indicates that most centers today provide educational support services and advocacy for campus women, many of whom are single parents. The role and scope of the centers have changed in various ways. Some report a shift from a feminist orientation to one that emphasizes "hard skills" that aid in employability and self-sufficiency while others have turned to issues related to general college curricula. The apparent contradiction in focus is possibly due to the variance in the needs and interests of the different segments of the target population. It may also confirm the previous research that suggests that women's centers address a wide range of populations, needs and concerns. Although community college programs fare better than university-based women's centers because of federally funded programs that target the special populations the host institutions serve, centers still operate with inadequate and temporary funding bases, often having to justify their existence by generating self-supporting funds. Reduction of federal funds may jeopardize existing equity programs and programs for special populations funded by this source. Most women's centers place relatively little emphasis on their role as advocates of women's issues. (Contains 29 references.)


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