Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between community college department chairs and their adjunct faculty. Methods: This was a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study that used individual semi-structured interviews of 14 department chairs from a purposive sample drawn from a midwestern community college.…

Drawing on a survey of chief academic officers at 347 community colleges nationwide, this study examined the impact of institutional type (rural, suburban, urban) on reliance on and demand for adjunct faculty members. Findings indicated that rural institutions rely less on adjuncts, whereas both rural and urban institutions report high levels of…

Argues that the division of college staff into full-time and adjunct faculty leads to differentiated teaching services. Reviews statistics on adjunct faculty employment. Recommends that adjunct faculty be required to hold office hours and suggests hiring and promotion policies to improve the performance of adjunct teachers and enhance student…

Reviews ERIC database literature since the late 1980s regarding the pros and cons of employing part-time faculty in community colleges. Though much of the literature focuses on the negative aspects of employing part-time faculty, the author argues that they are valuable participants in higher learning, both for economic and pedagogical reasons.…

Describes professional development activities for adjunct faculty instituted at College of the Canyons in California to improve teaching and strengthen ties between college and faculty at reasonable cost and with minimal bureaucracy. The Associate Program includes Instructional Skills and Advanced Teaching Workshops and a teaching analysis. (DMM)

Describes a study conducted in response to the aging of community college instructors and the need to replace large numbers of retiring faculty. Explains the study's recruitment simulation, which used graduate students in MBA programs in the Midwest. States that, when asked if they would prefer to teach part-time or full-time, respondents…

Describes a preliminary analysis of grades submitted over three semesters by six full-time and twelve part-time humanities faculty to determine if differences could be distinguished by faculty status, gender, age, or course time (day or evening). Part-time faculty consistently graded higher than full-time faculty, whereas grading patterns could…

Identifies several policies affecting part-time, temporary, hourly rated, community college faculty in need of review and revision, including the "temporary" classification of part timers, the number of "temporary" faculty employed, hiring and evaluation policies, compensation, and part-time faculty involvement in the faculty…

Identifies barriers to the improved effectiveness of adjunct faculty teaching of adult learners. Addresses three categories of skills and attributes essential for the adult educator: interpersonal skills, instructional planning skills, and teaching and learning transaction skills. Considers on-the-job training, in-service training, and graduate…