CHEA is an institutional membership organization of degree-granting colleges and universities, and serves as an institutional voice for accreditation. CHEA also recognizes 60 regional, national and specialized accrediting organizations. This paper (the text of a speech delivered via teleconference to the Community College Futures Assembly, February 1, 2005, held in Orlando, Florida) addresses three policy issues related to the public community college. Should community colleges (1) redefine the community college commitment to open access? (b) form alliances with for-profit colleges; and (c) establish a separate national accrediting body for community colleges?