Part-time faculty, once a rare breed among teachers, are stepping into an increasingly critical role in higher education. Just as traditional colleges are relying on adjunct faculty to a degree unheard of just a decade ago, non-traditional programs are coming to rely on the flexibility, broader skills sets, and "real-world" knowledge that that these new "unbundled" instructors can deliver. Like every new opportunity, however, using contract or contingent faculty brings with it some interesting new challenges, especially for distance learning institutions. This paper explores several issues surrounding the use of adjunct faculty in distance education: (1) common characteristics of "free-agent" teachers; (2) what administrators need from part-time faculty and vice versa; (3) how to structure an effective working relationship; and (4) how adjuncts can add value to students' education. A list of recommended resources is included. The following are appended: (1) Interview with Two Online Adjunct Faculty; and (2) Four Sample Faculty Contracts. (Contains 1 footnote.)