The 2008 Public Policy Agenda summarizes the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU's) principles and priorities in key areas of higher education policy. The document is intended to serve as a point of reference for federal and state policymakers, the association's members, and other interested organizations and individuals. The ongoing reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Act, revelations about fraud and abuse in the federal student financial aid system, and events prompting concerns about public safety and emergency preparedness form the backdrop of this year's edition of the Public Policy Agenda. This year's statement looks a little different from those of past years because AASCU's policy positions have been organized around four central themes: affordability, access, accountability, and competitiveness. These are the themes that echo in Congress and in statehouses across the nation. [For the 2007 edition of this report, see ED494944.]