This topical paper is a record of the events leading to the creation of a statewide system of publicly supported comprehensive community colleges for Virginia. Commission and legislative reports are reviewed, as are contributions made by influential state legislators, educational leaders, and outside consultants. The plan finally enacted provided…

This is a report of a conference devoted to the establishment of short- and long-range goals to assert the rights of the college in its community and to determine corresponding responsibilities. Two basic concerns prompting the conference were: (1) the rapid change in the composition of the student body accompanied by changing needs; and (2) the…

Although junior colleges were originally established to provide the first two years of collegiate instruction, the mission of today's community college includes providing not only transfer education, but also certificate or associate degree vocational programs, adult continuing education, and community services. Therefore, the community college…