This paper explores and analyzes the increase in limited access programs at institutions in the Florida state higher education system and the conflict this increase poses to commitments to increased educational opportunity. An introductory section poses the problem by describing the rise of limited access programs due to increasing enrollments, decreasing funds or demands imposed on certain programs by external standards. A discussion of changes in Florida's population, enrollment and resources notes the dramatic increase in population since 1950 and recent declines in state funding. A section treats community college articulation as a pipeline to the state universities. A further discussion of the 48 percent of the undergraduate population in limited access programs points out the system's use of limited access to balance inadequate resources with maintaining academic quality. The following section discusses the impact on non-limited access programs. Issues of equity for minority groups are raised in the next section which notes lower representation of Hispanic Americans and Blacks in limited access programs. A final section concludes that though some programs have sound academic reasons for being limited access programs, limited access is widely used as a means of coping with enrollment pressures and lack of resources. (JB)