This study analyzed the characteristics of United States public community college wellness programs to determine the relationship of institutional size or line item budgeting on (a) staffing, (b) departmental affiliation, (c) programming, and (d) facilities. Data were collected via mail surveys from 156 public community colleges within the United States. The population consisted of United States public community colleges with wellness programs. Two purposeful samples were utilized: a conference based sample consisting of those institutions which were represented at the 1993 Sixth Annual Community College Wellness Conference and a director identified based sample of community colleges which had been identified by state directors as having a wellness program.

The review of literature examined (a) definitions of wellness, (b) goals/objectives of wellness programs, (c) components of wellness programs, (d) corporate wellness programs and, (e) wellness programs in educational settings. Methodological procedures included development of a 46 item survey instrument which consisted of 43 forced choice items, and three open-ended questions.

Data did not support line item budgeting significantly relating to staffing, departmental affiliation, or programming, however. there was a significant relationship concerning facilities. Data also revealed there was no significant relationship between institution size and staffing, departmental affiliation, programming, or facilities. Final analysis includes a descriptive profile of community college wellness programs which should be useful to decision makers and advisory boards who are involved in planning and evaluation.