Occasional pieces will be presented where individuals react to or present provocative material related to the practice of continuing education and community services in the community college. The editors invite your reaction to these pieces and your contributions. The Fall 1991 issue of the Community College Review contained an article by Lee Teitel that raised these questions and stimulated us to discussion and eventually to writing this article. He sees this as a transformation that has occurred over time and impacted the processes of the institution. In his analysis Teitel draws upon Cross's distinction between the horizontal and vertical integration of the community college.
Horizontal integration includes courses and services developed to serve specific community needs.
Outreach activities such as noncredit courses for adults, training activities for industry, contract courses, and cultural activities represent horizontal integration of the community college with its community. This is true but not necessarily a negative. The transfer arm of the college must be responsible to the university system. It is also logical and rational that the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the college have different attitudes and perceptions about activities. In the academic area, the entity with which the college must work is the university system.