Abstract
This article examines the expanding reliance on part time faculty in community colleges and evaluates its implications for instructional quality, institutional priorities, and the academic profession. It situates the rise of adjunct employment within the economic pressures and enrollment growth of the 1970s, noting a shift from hiring specialized community experts to employing academically credentialed instructors who sought full time positions but entered contingent roles due to limited full time hiring. While acknowledging benefits of adjunct specialization, the discussion highlights concerns about diminished instructional resources, reduced faculty availability, and weakened institutional integration among part time instructors. A review of national studies indicates differences in instructional support, access to institutional infrastructure, and engagement in advising and governance. The analysis considers administrative motivations, collective bargaining dynamics, and emerging legal pressures related to equity. Ultimately, the article argues that although part time faculty can contribute meaningfully to academic programs, excessive dependence on contingent labor risks devaluing teaching as a profession and undermining educational quality. It calls for balanced staffing models that recognize adjunct contributions while reaffirming the importance of stable full time academic roles.
Recommended Citation
Kekke, Rhonda
(1986)
"Who's Mr. Staff: Cheap Labor or Valued Resource?,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 55, Article 24.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol55/iss1/24
