This publication describes the California community college system's mission, programs, and students, including information about the challenges all 110 campuses share and some of the ways in which they differ. It explores the dynamic tension between enrollment demand and funding, and it summarizes recent research that addresses such issues as remediation rates. Topics of discussion are: increasing demand for access collides with financial constraints; growing demand will necessitate change in California; improving student performance benefits the system; addressing unprepared students? needs is a central mission; and community college issues may get atention from policymakers.