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The Perceptions of the Alabama Legislature Toward Higher Education

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The Perceptions of the Alabama Legislature Toward Higher Education by Willard Hazley Ammons III A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Auburn, Alabama May 5, 2019 Keywords: Alabama legislature, higher education, perceptions, politics Copyright 2019 by Willard Hazley Ammons III Approved by James Witte, Chair, Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology George Flowers, Dean, Graduate School and Professor, Mechanical Engineering Jane Teel, Assistant Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology Maria Witte, Associate Dean, Graduate School and Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology Abstract With state legislatures across the nation decreasing funding in higher education, many higher education administrators are seeking new and creative ways to increase funding and decrease waste in colleges and universities. Since the Great Recession, very little research has been conducted toward the Alabama Legislature and its important link to higher education. This research was conducted to examine the perceptions of the Alabama Legislature toward issues in higher education. Specifically, the study focused on the perceptions of the Alabama Legislature towards duplication of programs, financing of private and public higher education, athletics, and admissions standards. Also, this study observed the similarities/differences in Parker’s (1985) study. This study used quantitative research measures in its design through the use of an electronic online survey. The survey, focused on the members of the 2008 Legislative Session, was used to measure responses to each of the research questions. The sample for this study consisted of one independent variable which was the Alabama Legislature; the dependent variables were the issues in higher education: duplication of programs, financing of private and public higher education, athletics, and admissions standards. The results of the Chi-square analysis indicated that no significant interaction existed between the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate regarding issues in higher education. However, the results of the Chi-square analysis did indicate that a significant interaction existed between legislator’s demographics and higher education issues. Also, there was very little change in outcomes between Parker’s study and the current study. ii Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ammons, Jr. for their love, support, and encouragement in every endeavor I have attempted throughout my life. I thank God daily He choose Bill and Connie Ammons to be my parents because you both are the wind beneath my wings. To my brother and best friend, Dr. Kevin Ammons, thank you for your time, wisdom, and support. I have enjoyed our hours of conversations regarding Alabama history and politics and hope we can now have these conversations on the Orlando Clipper while speckle trout fishing at Crooked Creek and bream fishing at John’s Little Acre. To my sister-in-law, Emily who is the sister I never had, thank you for your support and words of encouragement. I thank God every day for the Christian leadership you and Kevin share with our family and community. To my Aunt Frankie who took me to my first Auburn University football game and introduced me to the loveliest village on the plains, thank you for teaching me to love Auburn like you love Auburn. Finally, to my hero, W. H. Ammons, Sr. (Paw Paw) whose guidance I try to follow by leading by example. Thank you for giving me the best gift possible, a last name with honor and integrity. Special thanks are also given to my grandparents who have gone on to their heavenly reward. To my paternal grandmother, Jeanette Ammons (MiMi) who taught me to pray, grow a vegetable garden, and to love and help my neighbor. I miss you every day and thank God daily for your influence on my life. To my maternal grandparents Collis (Mac) Miller and Bertie Lou Padgett Miller who showed me the importance of education and to strive to go farther than what iii I thought was possible. These three special grandparents taught me to be a scholar in their own way and encouraged me to read, travel, and engage in lifelong learning. I would like to express my sincere thanks to a very special lady who served as my Sunday school teacher, Children’s Church teacher, and fourth grade teacher Mrs. Daisy Gary. Thank you for teaching me the Alabama State Song, Alabama history, and Alabama politics. Also, thank you for teaching your students to say the Pledge of Allegiance, to observe a morning prayer, and to bless our lunch, and teaching us to be courageous to live out our Christian faith. This dissertation would have never come to fruition without the advice, wisdom, and support of my dissertation committee, Dr. James Witte, Dr. George Flowers, Dr. Jane Teel, and Dr. Maria Witte. Special thanks to Dr. James Lindner for serving as the University Reader. Thank you for your guidance and instruction during this fun and exciting journey, which without your support would not have been possible. This dissertation is dedicated to my two special nephews, Haze and William Ammons. I am very proud to be your Uncle eeL and look forward to watching you boys grow into strong Christian men. Always do your very best and never settle for mediocrity. I expect great things from both of you spiritually and academically. This dissertation is also dedicated to my church family at Maple Avenue Baptist Church, Geneva, Alabama and to the citizens of Geneva, Alabama. Thank you for your love, support, and encouragement. This dissertation is also in honor of the Great State of Alabama as we celebrate our Bicentennial 1819-2019. May the citizens of this great state continue our motto, “Audemus jura nostra defendere.” iv Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter I: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Research Problem .................................................................................. 4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................... 4 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 6 Limitations and Assumptions ........................................................................................... 7 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 7 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 7 Definition of Terms........................................................................................................... 8 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 10 Chapter II: Review of the Literature ........................................................................................... 12 Historical Perspective ..................................................................................................... 12 Historical Development of Legislation Affecting Higher Education In Alabama ......... 18 Private Higher Education in Alabama ............................................................................ 22 Militarization of The University of Alabama ................................................................. 25 Higher Education in Alabama during the War Between the States ................................ 26 v Higher Education and Reconstruction ............................................................................ 27 Public and Private Historical Black Colleges and Universities ...................................... 28 Normal Colleges and Institutions for Women ................................................................ 32 World War I and Higher Education ................................................................................ 36 The Alabama Community College System..................................................................... 36 Higher Education and The Great Depression ................................................................. 43 World War II and the G.I. Bill or Rights ........................................................................ 44 Higher Education and the End of Segregation ................................................................ 47 The Creation of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education .................................. 49 Higher Education and the End of the Twentieth Century ............................................... 51 Higher Education and the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century ................................ 53 Opinions of Legislators ..................................................................................................
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