The Intergovernmental Personnel Act Program (IPA), begun in 1971, provides for the temporary exchange of personnel between federal executive agencies and states, local governments, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribal governments to do work of mutual benefit and concern. In the five years following the program's inception, more than 3,000 mobility assignments were made. Forty major federal agencies, all 50 states, nearly 300 local governments, and more than 328 colleges and universities utilized the program. The program's participants represented a variety of occupations and specialities with the most frequent assignments being made in the areas of general executive management, science and technology, education, social science, business, law, engineering, and architecture. In 1976, the federal agency most frequently using the IPA was the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with 236 of the total of 829 participants. Testimonials of community college personnel participating in the program are presented. Eligibility for participation, salary and supervision considerations, duration of appointment, documentation of assignment conditions and responsibilities, allowances for travel and moving expenses, and procedures for termination of assignment are discussed. A list of IPA Division Chiefs for United States Civil Service Commission Regions is also included. (MB)