This paper provides an overview of a discussion about the establishment of a basic skills discipline at the Spring 1990 Session of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. The Ad Hoc Basic Skills Committee heard arguments and concerns on both sides of the issue. Arguments for the opposition included concern about the fragmentation of curriculum, isolation of both students and faculty, lowering of standards for faculty, and the possibility that a basic skills discipline would encourage separate departments and remove basic skills courses from the math, English, and reading departments. Arguments for a basic skills discipline stem from the belief that a broader background and more knowledge of learning theory and methodology best serves pre-collegiate students. In making their decision, the Basic Skills Committee could not ignore the overwhelming opposition to a basic skills discipline expressed in the testimony. Therefore, the committee recommended that no basic skills discipline be established at that time. However, the committee also recognized the need for faculty to refine their methodology to meet the challenges of the growing numbers of basic skills students in California, and provided several recommendations to address the problems created by not having a basic skills discipline. (NB)