The establishment of a religious studies department at San Bernardino Valley College (California) is proposed. The proposal, if approved, would make this college the first California community college to have a department of religion. In this report the following areas are considered: (1) the question of the legality of teaching religion in public institutions of higher education; (2) the role and responsibility of higher education in the teaching of religion; (3) the present practices of the state colleges and universities with regard to the teaching of religion; and (4) the attitudes and responses of students with regard to studying religion. The author notes that a great deal of concern and interest is shown by students, as evidenced by their response to "World Religions" a course which is presently being offered by the philosophy department. (Author/BB)