Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this survey research is to examine the relationship between the enrollment fee policy opinions of administrators of the California Community Colleges to those of the policymakers of the State of California. Personal characteristics of the respondents were identified as the independent variables placing the respondents into sample groups. Subsequently, the opinions and assumptions related to enrollment fee policy, the dependent variables, were assessed for each respondent to determine what, if any, assumptions and goals are common among the sample groups. Methodology. This study used a survey questionnaire, administered by a web-based survey application to gather data. It is the intent of this research selection to quantify the assumptions of enrollment fee policy by appropriate respondents. This is a systematic approach where numerical (frequency data) information is collected to learn about enrollment fees. Because the enrollment fee policy for the California Community Colleges is a political endeavor, it is necessary to gather data from inputs to the policy formulation as well as the policymakers. To gather broad yet relevant data, a survey instrument was chosen to question a large number of people from several diverse populations. The populations surveyed in this study were the California legislators, chief executive offices, chief business officials, and the chief instructional officials of the California Community College. Findings. Analysis of the survey data indicated lack of agreement among the sample populations with respect to underlying enrollment fee goals, methods of establishing fees, and college missions. There was correlation with respect to relative fees charged for certain enrollment status. Conclusions. The study data support the conclusion that there are substantially varied assumptions between the legislators and the college administrators with respect to enrollment fee policy. Recommendations. Further research is advised: the response rate for this study did not reach a level of generalizability. A state funded and sanctioned study could yield a higher response rate and make the study more applicable to other systems of higher education.