You could also argue that the state and community pay a lot towards this professor and, depending upon active participation, his administration. He or they app

You could also argue that the state and community pay a lot towards this professor and, depending upon active participation, his administration. He or they appear to be "ripping off" these entities. Communities fund community colleges particularly for the purpose of building localized skill sets, thereby improving said communities. There's a lot of financial stress in the U.S., these days. Nonetheless, the community should know what they are getting. Both for their money, and in terms of opportunity when it is their turn (whether directly, or through the workers they hire). Many community colleges (including some in my area) used to have quite good reputations. It was not simply a linear function of "the student gets what the student directly pays for". Nor, I think, should it be. There should be some accommodation for merit, different rates of "maturity" or readiness and timing for college academics, hardship, etc. Also for opportunities for life-long education. Community colleges play an essential role in fulfilling this. And it shouldn't be a cut-rate, McEducation.