Traditionally, continuing education, though a recognized mission of the community college, has been relegated to an ancillary position outside of the policy-making and administrative mainstream. As traditional student populations shrink and outreach and career preparation become more important, community colleges have begun to realize that continuing education provides opportunities for relationships with local government, business and industry; flexible, low-cost education for re-entry students; and the development of new student populations for basic education programs. Thus continuing education is invited or compelled to become a full partner in "one college." This means equal status for the dean of continuing education, program integration into the college's budget process, administrative support services, and more program flexibility. While these changes benefit both continuing education and the college, shifting enrollments, competition for space, and demands of government fiscal agencies and campus unions may result in these changes not being entirely voluntary. Three signposts anticipate the changeover to full curricular status: greater access to administrative support services, mutually beneficial relationships with other departments, and a recognition of continuing education as a full partner assisting in obtaining revenues, bringing new clients to the college, and providing linkages with local school boards, business and industry, and community groups. (Kingsborough Community College, NY, is used as an example throughout.) (KL)