The growing number of part-time instructors teaching in community colleges poses both disadvantages and advantages for the teachers and students involved. Part-time teachers complain that the pay is low, fringe benefits denied, and there is no security in assignment or permanent employment. There is a lack of status with the full-time faculty resulting in minimal inclusion in the department, division, or total institution, little support from counselors and other auxiliary departments, no assurance of the small amenities such as a desk or a parking space, and peripheral contact with the information sources in the institution. On the other hand, the advantages that part-time instructors enjoy include opportunities for internships or to test different methods and techniques; a paying position offering college instructor status while permitting flexibility in scheduling; an escape from nonrewarding duties; some social contact; and a sense of accomplishment. In addition, older part-time students (the average age is approximately 30) benefit from teachers with some "life experience" and part-time instruction is less expensive for the institution than contracted and tenured instruction. (MAI)