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…

Employment of part-time faculty members by community colleges has become an increasingly common approach to reducing institutional costs, which may have unintended consequences for student outcomes. This study examines the relationship between part-time faculty members and the associate's degree completion of community college students. The…

In light of growing speculation that the autonomy of community college faculty members is eroding, this study draws on the 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to explore the institutional and personal variables that predict faculty satisfaction with authority to make decisions about content and methods in instructional activities. Results…

Presents a rationale for the orientation of part-time instructors and suggestions for orientation program design and areas to be covered, such as emphasis on quality, college-level work, textbooks, class attendance, grades, examinations, prerequisites, academic deficiencies, visitation of classes, student evaluations, and facilities. (AYC)

This research explored the issues of access to the internet and use of the web for instructional purposes between full-time and part-time community college faculty. The findings that 40% of part-time faculty do not have Internet access at work would seem to indicate that part-time faculty are poorly integrated into the technology infrastructure of…

Based on a survey of attitudes and characteristics of 563 part-time instructors in North Carolina community colleges, the authors conclude that part-time faculty play a vital role in the community college but are not fully appreciated. More administrative and instructional support services for part-time faculty are advocated. (JDS)

Reviews literature on strategies to facilitate the effective supervision of part-time community college faculty, identifying common approaches to faculty evaluation (e.g., student evaluations, classroom observations, and artifact collection) and ways of improving teaching performance (e.g., supplying instructional information, and orientation and…

Describes Hinds Junior College's (HJC's) staff development program for part-time faculty which involves an initial orientation session and subsequent modules focusing on teaching in general and at HJC, testing and grading, media usage, and student characteristics. Discusses participants' reactions to the program. (DMM)

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…

Argues that if community colleges are to thrive as institutions of higher learning, they must endeavor to integrate adjunct faculty more fully within the institution and channel more energy into recognizing, understanding, and supporting part-time faculty, and creating cohesion between them and their full-time counterparts. (AYC)

Reviews the literature on part-time faculty quality, equality, and parity. Argues that part-time faculty/practitioners offer the expertise and immediacy needed for dynamic occupational training; that temporary part-time faculty should teach occasional programs; and that permanent part-time faculty, integrated into the college community, should…

Reviews the problems, benefits, and issues surrounding the large-scale employment of part-time faculty. Describes three current models for increasing part-time faculty effectiveness: Pima College's part-time faculty handbook, Vista College's Peer Teaching and Learning Consultants Project, and the League for Innovation in the Community College's…

Offers three approaches to professional development for faculty and administrators willing to explore cooperative arrangements: cooperative agreements with business and industry for temporary faculty employment; arrangements with nearby community colleges whereby paired faculty explore mutual interests; and paired arrangements between part-time…

Describes the historical use and current status of part-time faculty in community colleges. Examines problems related to part-time faculty salaries, limited participation in curriculum and governance, noninstructional obligations, institutional commitment, and academic quality. Suggests addressing these problems through increased pay and benefits,…

The equal pay for equal work argument has resulted in a trend toward higher part-time teacher salaries, approaching full-time salary equivalents. This article reviews trends around the country, and makes predictions based on documents included in the ERIC system. (NHM)