Representing the concensus of the presidents of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, this paper presents a series of assumptions about the anticipated environment of the college system and provides a strategic action plan for the future. First, assumptions about environmental factors likely to affect the colleges are presented, including projections about social trends, the economy, politics, the colleges, and technology. Among these assumptions are high unemployment levels, more consumerism by students, an economic shift from manufacturing to the service/information sectors, more women in the workforce, changes in traditional views of teaching, increased private sector competition with the public colleges, and rapid developments in technology. Next, a strategy for the 1980's, to be implemented individually and/or collectively by the Ontario colleges, is presented, including issue statements, objectives statements, and strategies. The action plan focuses on governance, programming, human resources, and financial and physical resources. Objectives include more liaison between colleges on educational policy issues, increased emphasis on lifelong learning, greater focus on professional development within the colleges, and emphasis on equality of opportunity for all sectors of the population. (HB)