This collected work presents nine papers concerning state college and university expectations which were originally presented at an August 1989 conference in Colorado developed by the Academic Affairs Resource Center. Topics considered in the essays include the essential philosophy undergirding the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), critical issues affecting the future of the various disciplines, research and scholarship, and the role of AASCU institutions in the community. Papers have the following titles and authors: "AASCU's Role among Institutions of Higher Education" (Keith Lovin); "Nontraditional and Minority Students, Faculty, and Staff: How Have They Contributed to a Transformation of the Academic Community?" (Tobin Barrozo); "The Liberal Arts and the Professions: On Common Ground" (Catherine Gira); "The Arts and Humanities and AASCU's Mission" (David Jorns); "Science and Technology" (Robert Caret); "Scholarly Activity, Interdisciplinary Team Teaching, and the Professional Vitality of AASCU Faculty" (Ronald Woodbury); "The Role of Scholarship in Serving the Mission of AASCU Institutions" (Richard Pattenaude and Michael Bassis); "Continuing Education" (David Strand); and "Economic Development and AASCU Institutions: An Examination of Roles and Critical Questions for State Policy Makers" (John Bardo and others). References accompany some papers. (DB)