In 1982, a study was conducted to assess the open door philosophy operating in Florida's community colleges and changes in the policy from 1957 to 1981. Fourteen political and educational leaders were interviewed and asked to: (1) describe the original purposes of the open door philosophy and the factors behind its establishment; (2) assess the implementation of Florida's master plan; (3) evaluate initial support for the open door philosophy among policy makers and citizens; (4) identify social or economic changes and problems that had affected the policy; (5) identify stated and real reasons behind opposition to the philosophy in 1981; and (6) describe the open door philosophy of the 1980s. The respondents indicated that the policy was implemented to provide college-level education to a large number of state citizens, including high school graduates and those facing geographical and financial barriers. They felt the state's Master Plan of 1957 contributed most to the implementation of the policy and that support had lessened since then due mainly to social and economic changes. They indicated that though the policy was operating satisfactorily, except in the provision of counseling services, it would not continue to exist as it had in the 1970s. Additionally, they felt that since 1957 vocational preparation, basic skills, retraining, and college accountability had become more significant, while questions of access and program diversity and innovation had lost importance. Data and the questionnaire are appended. (HB)