One of the ways public colleges and universities are adjusting to changing financial circumstances is by hiring more part-time faculty and teaching/research assistants than full-time faculty. The possible long-term effects of this change should be watched closely by campus and state leaders.

Several cost factors have triggered the trend: Enrollment is up in public colleges and universities, especially among women and minorities. But funding increases to keep up with this growth now come more from tuition and fees than from state and local support. Per student funding has declined when adjusted for inflation. 

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