Major issues likely to affect the community colleges in Virginia in the 1980s are highlighted in this conference proceedings. First, panel presentations by Gordon K. Davies, J. Wade Gilley, James H. Hinson, Jr., and Joseph Fordyce address the role of the State Council in Higher Education and its perspectives on the coming decade, legislative and public policies affecting different sectors of education in the state, trends in the Virginia Community College System, and external concerns and challenges faced by the colleges. After a review of the questions addressed to the panel and their responses, the text of the two major conference presentations is provided. First, Hinton considers methods of planning a dynamic future for Virginia's community colleges, and then Fordyce reviews the positions of leaders in the community college field regarding the greatest challenges of the 1980's. Summaries are then presented of small group discussions focusing on special issues related to general education/junior-senior college articulation; occupational, remedial, and continuing education; student services; and administration and research. Appendices present the conference program and a list of participants. (HB)