This book provides a sociological and historical analysis of the evolution and demise of a state college's educational opportunity program, the goal of which was to compensate for unequal pre-college education and provide equal opportunities for economically and educationally disadvantaged students. The program was an example of a special placement compensatory program, with students taking a majority of coursework for the first two years within the program before being mainstreamed for their junior and senior years. The book analyzes the program in terms of the organizational, educational, political and economic factors associated with the historical events, and frames the division's development within the larger context of social, political and educational reform. The issues of labeling and stigmatization are particularly examined. The analysis relates to the larger policy questions in higher education, with special reference to issues of equity and excellence. (JPB)