This 21st annual report summarizes the activities of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges for 1996-97. The first part presents a report from the Senate President, a financial statement, lists of goals and committee priorities for 1996-97, and minutes from the Senate's fall 1996 and spring 1997 sessions. The second part presents annual reports from Senate standing committees on: (1) affirmative action/cultural diversity; (2) counseling and library faculty issues; (3) curriculum; (4) educational policies; (5) elections for Senate posts; (6) faculty development; (7) legislative issues; (8) relations with local senates; (9) Senate resolutions; (10) standards and practices; (11) technology; and (12) vocational education. Next, reports are provided from Senate advisory committees on: (1) basic skills; (2) distance learning technical assistance; (3) library and learning resources programs; (4) matriculation; and (5) the Regional Counselors Facilitator Committee. Finally, annual reports are presented for the following liaison committees: (1) Academic Senate/Chief Instructional Officers; (2) California Community College Association of Occupational Educators; (3) the California Educational Round Table Intersegmental Coordinating Committee; (4) the California Great Teachers Seminar; (5) the Council of Faculty Organizations; (6) California Virtual University; (7) the general education Breadth Advisory Committee from the California State University; (8) the English Council of California Two-Year Colleges; (9) the Economic Development Network; (10) the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges; and (11) Strategic Telecommunication Master Planning. A list of Senate publications and a roster of local academic senate presidents by college are attached. (BCY)