Higher education is currently undergoing an era of low public confidence, waning commitment, and limited resources. For community colleges operating in this general context, several pressing issues can be identified. One is the need for colleges to agree on their institutional missions and priorities, determining to what extent developmental, general, transfer, and vocational preparation functions should be emphasized. Another related issue is the importance of responding to the changing values and expectations of students, as well as the changing requirements from federal, state, and local governments. A third issue is related to educating diverse and pluralistic communities, including the need to improve academic outcomes for underrepresented groups, ensure that people of color are well represented on faculty and staff, initiate institutional policies and programs that bring students together, and develop a multicultural/international ethic. Another issue facing community colleges involves fully utilizing the potential of total quality management and continuous quality improvement, while recognizing that they may not solve all of an institution's problems. A final issue is related to adequately assessing institutional effectiveness and student learning outcomes and responding to the educational reforms and school-to-work reforms proposed by the Departments of Labor and Education. In any responses made, colleges must always distinguish between their essential services and expendable conveniences provided to students. (Contains 10 references.) (BCY)