California Community Colleges – Criteria for Educational Centers
References: CCC Facilities Planning Manual – Part E, Acquisitions / Chapter 10, Site Acquisitions for New College and Center Development
DEFINITION OF EDUCATION CENTER: A postsecondary operation established and administered by an existing college or district at a location away
from the campus of the parent institution. An educational center is an operation planned to continue for thee or more years and expected to enroll
over 500 FTES by the third year of operation. The center typically has an on-site administrator and may offer programs leading to certificates and/or
degrees conferred by the parent institution. (Ref: CCR T5. 55827(a).
Request for approval for review by the board of governors requires the following per California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 55828(c) and
55829-55831:
1. An assessment of needs and preferences (CCR, Title 5, Section 55829).
2. Identification of objectives (CCR, Title 5, Section 55830).
3. Analysis of alternative delivery systems (CCR, Title 5, Section 55831)
EDUCATIONAL CENTER – CHECK LIST FOR APPROVAL
YES
NO
PHASE I: PRELIMINARY EVALUATION
1. Regional population growth analysis.
2. Regional participation rates analysis.
3. Student demographics study.
4. Economic indicators of regional growth.
5. Secondary school enrollment projections.
6. Enrollment trends of the district and “new” site.
7. WSCH capacity of existing and planned structures.
8. Preliminary discussions/analysis of delivery methods.
9. Preliminary discussions/analysis of district intent.
PHASE II: LETTER OF INTENT
1. General location of planned facility.
2. Maps of the vicinity.
3. Estimated time frame to become an active facility.
4. Summary of enrollment growth.
5. Summary of district capacity.
6. Discussion/analysis of need for new facilities.
PHASE III: UPDATE MASTER PLAN
1. Alternative site evaluation.
2. Site selection.
Draft- 4/4/2013 Educational Centers Check List
Page 1
3. Environmental Impact Report as applicable.
4. Seismic and Aviation clearances.
5. Site ownership documentation.
6. Identification of preferred programs and services.
7. Identification of present and future labor market needs.
8. Measurable objectives of the proposed programs and services.
9. Communications from neighboring institutions and agencies.
10. Development of educational and facility specifications for the new site.
11. Analysis of proposed delivery systems.
12. Evaluation of alternative funding sources.
13. Detailed evaluation of enrollment demands.
14. Board authorization.
PHASE IV: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL
1. Site service area and characteristics of individuals to be served.
2. Time schedule for development of the site.
3. Maps with population densities, topography, road and highway configurations.
4. Enrollment projections for five years.
5. Educational and support services program, and facility plans for the site for five years.
CRITICAL ITEMS TO ANALYZE
Evaluation of Growth and Facilities:
a. Evaluate regional population growth and participation rates: (State and district long-term enrollment projections; Secondary school
enrollment projections, new housing starts, building permit applications, planning commission hearings, business openings or relocation and
other economic indicators that show growth in specific regions.)
b. Examine enrollment trends, regional participation rates to determine if student demographics, commute times, traffic flow, access roads and
geography influence participation.
c. Examine how best to increase enrollments from outlying areas.
d. Evaluate neighboring postsecondary institutions on enrollment trends and participation rates.
District Capacity:
a. Evaluate capacity ratios of instructional and support areas.
b. Are existing sites approaching capacity in all areas?
c. Do existing sites have additional opportunities to develop more usable space?
Regional Participation with Available Capacity:
a. Analyze reasons for any lower regional participation rates and seriously consider alternative delivery methods before advocating expansion of
facilities to outlying areas.
Assessments of Educational and Facility Needs:
a. Examine educational program and facility Master Plan and modify as needed to show effect of the new site.
Draft- 4/4/2013 Educational Centers Check List
Page 2
b. Examine labor market information or public surveys to determine program and employer needs.
c. Examine use of technology for distance learning opportunities.
d. Analyze education programs: transfer education: technical education and contract education. Review historical enrollments (types of courses
taken), major employers in area, skills needed by prospective employers, local industry need.
e. Analyze current degrees and certificates offered compared to developing industries for long-range planning.
Projection of Enrollment:
a. Five-year projections in accord with the Department of Finance Demographic Research publication: “Guide for Community Colleges, Projection
of Enrollment and Annual Average Weekly Student Contact Hours for New Colleges and Education Centers”.
Assessment of Needs and Preferences (CCR, Title 5, Section 55829):
1. Adequate identification of the community area and characteristics of individuals to be served.
2. Projections of potential enrollment demand in the service area that demonstrate significant unmet need, taking into account plans of nearby
secondary and postsecondary institutions.
3. Evidence of significant community support and identification of possible community opposition.
4. Identification of preferences for community college programs and services on the part of individuals in the service area.
5. Identification of present and future labor market requirements for the proposed service area, a broader adjacent region, and the state.
6. A reconciliation of educational services with projected labor market requirements and community program preferences.
Identification of Objectives (CCR, Title 5, Section 55830):
1. Proposed college or educational center programs and services must be directed to the identified educational needs and preferences of the
community to be served.
2. Objectives of the proposed programs and services must be sufficiently specific that the district board may evaluate the success with which
needs and preferences are met.
Analysis of Alternative Delivery Systems (CCR, Title 5, Section 55831):
1. Proposed operation must be the most effective and equitable of feasible delivery system alternatives for providing intended programs and
services.
2. The criteria for selecting the proposed delivery system must include:
 Accessibility of programs and services to individuals in the services area.
 Content and quality of programs and services.
 Cost of programs and services.
3. Depending on delivery system proposed, alternatives for providing the proposed programs and services must include, but need not be limited
to:
 Increased utilization of existing district resources.
 Forming a new college, educational center and/or outreach location.
 Use of media such as television, computer-assisted instruction or programmed learning packages.
4. Alternative delivery systems considered must be adequately described, generally mutually exclusive, and limited to a manageable number to
facilitate analysis and review.
Draft- 4/4/2013 Educational Centers Check List
Page 3
CCSF Spring 2013
Educational Center: ___________________________________________
CRITERIA NEEDED
General description and overview:
Mission and vision of center; physical site, social and demographic analysis of
surrounding area
Enrollment projections:
Five years in WSCH and FTES
Space utilization (% based upon maximum capacity for scheduling):
Morning, afternoons, and evenings, summer; number of sections
Instructional modality:
Lecture, lab, distance learning, computerized instruction, video-streaming,
internet, distributed education modes and techniques, etc.
Academic planning and program justification:
Description of academic degree and/or certificate programs offered;
List of all course offerings; number of course sections
Student Services and Outreach:
Description of the student services at site (i.e. financial aid, counseling,
testing, tutoring, educational opportunity programs, services for disabled;
outreach services, etc.)
Staffing:
Identify support staff, faculty (full and/or part time), administrator/s.
Capital Outlay:
Total assigned square Feet (ASF); Average cost per ASF; facilities costs
Support Costs:
Administration (staff, administrators, faculty), Academic programs
(career/technical), Academic support, supplies, materials, Standard expense
elements (such as utilities, security), etc.
Geographic and Physical Accessibility:
Parking, public transportation, ADA compliancy for accessibility, etc.
Proximity to main campus and all other sites
Effects on other CCSF sites:
Impact on existing and projected enrollments; duplication of programs and
services, etc.
Economic efficiency:
Facility operations (utilities, etc.),technology, repairs, and maintenance needs
Draft- 4/4/2013 Educational Centers Check List
Page 4
Future needs:
Draft- 4/4/2013 Educational Centers Check List
Page 5