A mathematical site selection procedure for future community college locations, including an analysis of community college geographic locations within 34 states

To achieve the purposes of the study, letters were sent to community college governing agencies of all 50 states requesting state plans for the establishment and location of community college facilities. From 50 states, 34 agencies responded. Content analysis was used to secure relevant criteria amenable to future community college site selection. These criteria were applied to the locational model so that alternative sites for community college facilities may be proposed objectively.

The use of the model allowed several variables to be analyzed simultaneously in order to determine the suitability for the location of community college facilities. Some of the findings and conclusions of the study are listed below:

1. Modeling technique is a useful tool for statewide screening. Thus, scanning the states as a whole should always precede any decision pertaining to the specific site location of community college facilities.

2. Based on the content analysis summary of the 27 state plans, five major criteria were recommended for site analysis and used in Chapter IV. These criteria are listed below in order of importance.

1. Number of potential students and enrollment projection.

2. Accessibility--major roads and highways.

3. Location of site near population centers.

4. Nearness to other educational institutions.

5. Major industry in the area.