%0 Thesis %1 fisher_development_1983 %A Fisher, Scott Adams %D 1983 %K EDUCATION, HISTORY OF %T The development and recession of the private junior college including Fisher Junior College - a case study %X The first legitimate two-year college in the United States was founded in 1851; however, the growth and development of this segment of higher education is a twentieth century event. This paper describes that development with particular focus on the private independent two-year sector. The "privates" enjoyed growth and vitality until 1940; but, have experienced steady decline in numbers of institutions, prestige, influence, and recognition ever since. The decline has occurred in marked contrast to the enormously successful development of its counterpart, the public "Community College." This analytic paper addresses two major questions: What are the patterns of growth and decline of the two-year private sector of higher education? and, What are the prospects for the private two-year colleges? Patterns and trends are identified, examined, and analyzed to explain why these institutions were created and why they now constitute a disappearing component of post-secondary education. Based upon an assessment of the private two-year colleges at 1980, certain assumptions are made as to future events. From the literature and data available, a history of the private two-year college is constructed. A similar history of one institution, Fisher Junior College is created, as well. These histories provide an aggregate perspective of the group and a complimentary detailed look at a member institution. Beyond the problems of declining enrollments and rising costs, this paper focuses on maladies of inflexibility and inability to meet changing demands, even unwillingness of some institutions to reshape missions, develop new markets, or aggressively respond to threats on survival. The paper concludes that prior to 1940, growth predominated. Since then, general deterioration and decline has prevailed for the private two-year colleges, unchecked. Continued degeneration through 1995 is probable.

@phdthesis{fisher_development_1983, abstract = {The first legitimate two-year college in the United States was founded in 1851; however, the growth and development of this segment of higher education is a twentieth century event. This paper describes that development with particular focus on the private independent two-year sector. The "privates" enjoyed growth and vitality until 1940; but, have experienced steady decline in numbers of institutions, prestige, influence, and recognition ever since. The decline has occurred in marked contrast to the enormously successful development of its counterpart, the public "Community College." This analytic paper addresses two major questions: What are the patterns of growth and decline of the two-year private sector of higher education? and, What are the prospects for the private two-year colleges? Patterns and trends are identified, examined, and analyzed to explain why these institutions were created and why they now constitute a disappearing component of post-secondary education. Based upon an assessment of the private two-year colleges at 1980, certain assumptions are made as to future events. From the literature and data available, a history of the private two-year college is constructed. A similar history of one institution, Fisher Junior College is created, as well. These histories provide an aggregate perspective of the group and a complimentary detailed look at a member institution. Beyond the problems of declining enrollments and rising costs, this paper focuses on maladies of inflexibility and inability to meet changing demands, even unwillingness of some institutions to reshape missions, develop new markets, or aggressively respond to threats on survival. The paper concludes that prior to 1940, growth predominated. Since then, general deterioration and decline has prevailed for the private two-year colleges, unchecked. Continued degeneration through 1995 is probable.}, added-at = {2018-06-19T15:20:34.000+0200}, author = {Fisher, Scott Adams}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2cac0260bf36741095189c89900b489c1/prophe}, interhash = {c208ecb223c2842ebca8fc21d6ab9a42}, intrahash = {cac0260bf36741095189c89900b489c1}, keywords = {EDUCATION, HISTORY OF}, school = {Harvard University}, shorttitle = {The development and recession of the private junior college including {Fisher} {Junior} {College} - a case study}, timestamp = {2018-06-19T15:20:34.000+0200}, title = {The development and recession of the private junior college including {Fisher} {Junior} {College} - a case study}, type = {{PhD} {Thesis}}, year = 1983 }