The role of colleges in providing educational opportunities for adults during the 1980s is discussed by the president of New York University. Relevant federal legislation is noted, along with New York University's programming for adults. The following five national priorities for adult education are considered: (1) more attention should be directed to education that helps workers in their jobs; (2) better training should be provided for displaced workers; (3) equal educational opportunity should be provided for adults; (4) the rate of adult illiteracy should be slowed; and (5) adults should be assisted to keep up with the phenomenal increase of new knowledge. It is claimed that prevailing patterns of education and training and governmental policies have not sufficiently changed to accommodate the adult learner. Recommendations to colleges include: colleges need to evaluate themselves and define their distinctive roles in providing adult education and to coordinate with other providers such as industry; rigorous standards for continuing education programs and highly qualified educators and administrators are needed; and schools need to be responsive to new markets and to special needs of adults. Innovative approaches to meeting adult learning needs are also summarized. (SW)