This book presents speeches given and articles written by State University of New York presidents concerning issues confronting public higher education in the State of New York today. Essays and speeches are categorized under the following topics: (1) the development of the State University of New York; (2) public higher education in society; (3) quality, access, diversity, and relevance; (4) financial constraints; (5) values and freedoms; and (6) the role of leadership. Essays and their authors are as follows: "The Founding of the State University of New York" (Sanford H. Levine); "History of the Community College" (Eduardo J. Marti); "The University: Image and Reality" (John H. Marburger III); "The Emerging Work Force and Community Colleges" (Joseph J. Bulmer); "Technology and the Human Condition" (James W. Hall); "NIMBY/NIMBY Revisited" (John O. Hunter); "Issues of Optometric Ethics for the '90s" (Alden N. Haffner); "Colleges, Cities, Cultures, Changes" (Alice Chandler); "Equality and Quality: The Dilemma of American Democracy" (Joseph C. Burke); "A Noble Endeavor" (Daniel T. Hayes); "Moving the Institution into the 21st Century" (Joseph N. Hankin); "Women, Leadership, and the Academy: Anecdotes and Observations" (Carol C. Harter); "Diversity and Community" (Frank G. Pogue); "Facing Financial Challenges" (Donald A. MacPhee); "Reinventing Excellence" (Stephen L. Weber); "Economic Growth and Public Higher Education" (Carol C. Harter); "Shaping a Mission and Maintaining Access for Community Colleges for the 1990s and Beyond" (Lawrence H. Poole); "Community Colleges: Critical Crossroads" (Roger C. Andersen); "Higher Education and Choice: The Burden of Freedom" (D. Bruce Johnstone); "Free Speech on Campus" (Lois B. DeFleur); "Drawing Lines at Nassau Community College" (Sean A. Fanelli); "Values as Guideposts" (William C. Merwin); "New Beginnings" (Jacqueline D. Taylor); "Campus Art: From the Fringe to the Center" (Joseph C. Burke); "A Season for Leadership" (William R. Greiner); "Leadership, Our Responsibility, Our Choice" (H. Patrick Swygert). Appendices include lists of officials at the State University of New York. Contains an index. (GLR)