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In California community colleges there are 14,273 people who are employed full-time as instructors. Another 20,027 are employed as part-time faculty members. In the past three years there has been an estimated annual increase of 10 percent in the number of part-time faculty employed. Benefits of utilizing part-time instructors include: (1) The opportunity for students to study under outstanding instructors whose primary employment may be elsewhere. (2) The opportunity for instructors to use part-time employment as a means of beginning a career in postsecondary teaching. (3) The opportunity for colleges to respond quickly and efficiently to community needs within the boundaries of fincial resources available to them. Problems associated with part-time employment generally fall into two areas: (1) Recent court decisions have resulted in enormous confusion regarding the law pertaining to part-time teachers. (2) What benefits should be received by part-time instructors as compared to benefits received by full-time instructors? This keynote address delineates the issue involved in the part-time faculty controversy, and discusses the implications of various prosposed solutions to the problems. (Author/NHM)

The forces influencing or reflecting change in California's community colleges are discussed in this paper in the context of the crisis of identity facing these institutions. First, factors contributing to the rapid expansion of community college education in California are outlined, and the consequences of that growth are examined. Next, the importance of research in shaping change is underscored with the argument that the well-being of a college depends on the ability of its members to provide accurate and relevant information as the basis for action and the framework for the development of informed public opinion. Next, the changes likely to affect community colleges in coming years, especially cutbacks in funding, are discussed, and the need to redirect resources toward higher quality education is stressed. The following section addresses changes in the college community, with special focus on students and faculty, the role of counselors and student services, college programs, associate degrees, and transfer rates. Next, the need for new services to support quality in educational programs is stressed, highlighting the role of libraries and computer services. Finally, the potential of partnerships between the community colleges and private businesses and industry is discussed as a way of dealing with funding problems. (HB)