Designed as a call to community college faculty, administrators, and trustees to make a major investment in the collegiate function of their institutions, this book attempts to provide a strong conceptual foundation for vigorous renewal of the collegiate community college. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the community college as a collegiate institution, using a four-part definition of "collegiate." Chapter 2 describes the history of the educational role of the community college as it evolved from the junior college of the early 20th century. Chapter 3 examines the contemporary context of the community college--the competing visions of its proponents and critics. Chapter 4 looks at the current state of the collegiate function by examining curricula and enrollments and by exploring the attitudes of community college presidents. Chapter 5 discusses the key arguments against placing a primary emphasis on the collegiate purpose and reviews the implications of accepting these arguments for the community college. Chapter 6 makes the case for the collegiate community college, describing the collegiate function, exploring its impact on comprehensiveness, and showing the gains that may be realized. Chapter 7 goes on to detail the actions that can be taken to strengthen the collegiate purpose at the institutional level, looking at curriculum, access, the associate degree, and general education. Going beyond the campus, it also examines structural changes in the role of the community college, precollege education, and the relationship between two- and four-year colleges. Chapter 8 places the discussion of collegiate purpose in the broader context of the nation's commitment to access to higher education. (AC)