The statement of state policy toward independent degree-granting colleges and universities in California addresses these issues: independent institutions as a public resource (enrollment, degrees awarded, levels of support, tuition and fees, government revenues, program diversity, and geographic location); state policy toward independent institutions through student financial aid; financial conditions of independent California colleges; enrollment predictions; special concerns about public policy (educational and employment opportunity, information reporting requirements, disclosure by public officials and trustees, low public college tuition, expansion of public institution programs, and environmental concerns); alternatives in state assistance to independent institutions; and recommendations for state policy toward independent institutions. Financial and statistical data are included. (MSE)