Critical research issues that need to be addressed by postsecondary education in the 1980s are discussed. Among the technologically-related issues are the following: the impact of computer-assisted and computer-managed approaches on learning processes, and the compatibility of degree attainment with the labor market. Issues pertaining to enrollments, student characteristics, and finances include: federal/state role in projecting enrollments, the potential of an increased influence of state funding agencies on postsecondary education, changes in the role of community colleges, reduced fiscal capacity of colleges, the impact of increasing numbers of older students, achieving increased representation of minorities in postsecondary education, black studies and affirmative action, and achieving increased representation of females and minorities in faculty and administrative appointments. Additional issues include: curriculum assessment in teacher education, certification requirements and competency testing, professional educational preparation, the impact of intercollegiate athletics on academic standards, problems relating to growing industry-university collaboration, and effects of faculty unionization. An annotated bibliography is appended. (SW)