Comparative case studies of 10 public universities (Brooklyn College, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Florida State University, Florida International University, Memphis State University, Temple University, University of California at Los Angeles, University of New Mexico, University of Texas at El Paso, and Wayne State University) are presented to explain the process of adaptation that institutions experience when the achievement of underrepresented minorities becomes a high priority. The case studies included site visits, a questionnaire survey of 1986 graduates, and 108 open-ended interviews. Discussion of the following topics is included: quality and minority access; context for institutional adaptation (state policy environment, the community setting, institutional characteristics); the peripheral position of minority students; how universities resolve access/quality tensions (indicators of stage of adaptation, administrative influences on adaptation); and the stages of adaptation framework. From this data emerges an explanatory framework for understanding the variables influencing minority persistence and graduation in majority institutions. Appended are (1) enrollment and graduation data and (2) enrollment and graduation indices for the 10 case study institutions. Contains 15 references. (SM)