(a) The general purpose of the community and junior colleges is to provide educational services for the people of its geographic area within the legal structure of the comprehensive community college. These services include the teaching and guiding of students who intend to transfer to senior colleges to pursue an academic degree and the teaching and guiding of career-oriented students in academic, technical and vocational programs. These services also include providing opportunities for continuing education in academic, technical, vocational and adult education, and providing leadership in civic, economic and cultural growth.

(b) Different geographic regions of the state have differing needs for human development.

(c) Local governance of the public community and junior colleges is an effective and efficient means of meeting the diverse local needs, as well as those needs and priorities established by the state.

(d) All post-high school youth and adults who have the motivation and ability to benefit from additional educational services and experiences should be provided such an opportunity.

(e) Community and junior colleges should provide quality instructional activities that are accessible geographically and financially to the people of the state, within the resources available for this purpose.

(f) Instructional activities should be related to the needs of the individual, region and state, and should be available throughout one’s life regardless of prior educational experiences or attainment.

(g) An appropriate relationship between local district and state financial support of community and junior colleges shall be established.

(h) Coordination between public schools, community and junior colleges and universities shall complement the educational goals and attainments of individuals and the state.

(i) The Associate Degree should be a definitive and accepted higher educational degree, recognized for transfer to four-year institutions and for employment and promotion in business and industry.

(j) The community and junior colleges shall be the presumptive deliverers of public post-secondary training designed to meet the needs of individuals, business and state development objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, post-secondary training conducted under federal and state vocational and technical acts.

(k) Community and junior colleges shall be considered agencies of local government rather than agencies of the state.