Grantsmanship and the community junior college

Abstract

When we use the term grantsmanship to describe an attribute of professional leadership, no doubt a number of mental pictures slip into our minds. Prior experience may influence the value-feeling assigned to the word. It may be complimentary or even derogatory, depending upon the extent of success we may have experienced in the games we play. An element of hucksterism, raising money for its own sake, seems to dominate the reactions of some; on the other hand, others view grantsmanship as a lifesaving activity of resuscitation for drowning colleges. It is, of course, unfortunate if we accept either extreme as defining these activities. The function of college development is not only legitimate but necessary in colleges of the 1970s, and grantsmanship remains an important part of college development responsibilities. The person on a community college staff responsible for grants should function as an integral part of the development mission. Traditionally, many colleges have structured college administrative officers in a tiered bureaucratic series of boxes which follow specifically the basic five functions of collegiate responsibilities: The executive function usually centers in the president (with or without help of his closest advisers). This function carries the responsibility for operational activities and, when implemented into position categories, may require a number of assistants to in the organizational structure. In some colleges the person in charge of obtaining grants may hold one of these positions. The academic or instructional function often centers in a dean or vice president assisted by department or division chairpersons, a learning resources director, and the teaching faculty. The needs of these persons in carrying out their responsibilities are often greater than usual sources of college income will provide. The individual in charge of grants may be called upon to aid in providing these extra funds, although this part of the administrative structure seldom includes him. The student development function involves responsibilities the college accepts for identifying, recruiting, counseling, and assisting students themselves. Limitations upon funds available to carry out this function cause many colleges to seek special help through grants. The individual responsible for grantsmanship may find that the student development function will require a large portion of his attention, but again he seldom fits into this section of the administrative structure.