This minority report focuses on the issues of academic quality and student fees in California's community colleges. After a discussion of the relationship between fees and larger community college issues (e.g., mission, state and local control, equity, and efficiency), the question of academic quality is posed as the major issue in higher education. This discussion highlights the increase in state spending on community college education in the last 10 years; examines the decline in academic quality and the decrease in the rate of transfer to four-year institutions; and presents proposals designed to improve the academic quality of community college education. Next, the report presents the major principles of the 1983 Assembly Republican fee proposal and outlines arguments in support of the proposal in the areas of equity and efficiency. These arguments suggest that those who can afford and can benefit from a college education should pay a portion of the costs of that education; because of adequate financial aid, the proposal would not have an adverse impact on educational access; and fee revenues could be used to improve the quality of the state's community colleges. The report concludes by presenting and responding to arguments against the imposition of fees. (HB)