The project discussed here investigated the context within which college culture-based programs designed to enhance minority student retention arise and are nurtured or resisted. In-depth interviews were conducted with about 60 individuals who are intimately involved with minority programming and administration in 6 public, four-year institutions of higher education in Washington State. Minority culture-based programming was defined as programs that attempt to support or reinforce the culture and heritage of specific ethnic minority student groups. The interviews indicated that the institutions were confused about the direction of minority affairs programming. In addition, these institutions faced a "Catch-22" situation in that in order to attract and retain minority students they must already have in place faculty, staff, and student diversity as well as campus conditions expressive of diversity. The study concluded that seven conditions must be met to attract minority students to predominantly white institutions: (1) a top down policy favoring diversity; (2) curriculum that reflects minority culture and ethnicity; (3) a critical mass (at least 30 percent of the enrollment) of students of color on campus; (4) support services specifically for minority students; (5) faculty and staff diversity; (6) faculty willingness to work with minority students; and (7) a surrounding community with minority individuals visibly involved. (Contains 18 references.) (JB)