As part of the General College of the University of Minnesota's Pilot Education Program (PEP) (1979-80) for academically underprepared minority group students, background information is presented about the development of the Chicano/Latino PEP package, the way that the Chicano/Latino team functioned; the nature, content, and teaching methods; and outcomes of the program. The oral communication component comprised a course in interpersonal communication and one in leadership and group process for non-native English speakers. This component was supplemented by support from tutors in skills centers and counseling. In addition to a description of the development of the Chicano/Latino package, the following materials are included: objectives of the "Commanding English" course, a list of required courses for the PEP package, course descriptions, and a summary of PEP costs and funding. (SW)