THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO DEVELOP A SET OF DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS AND CRITERIA TO BE USED AS GUIDELINES FOR THE INITIATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES. INFORMATION IS BASED ON AN EXAMINATION OF STUDIES IN OTHER STATES, RELATED LITERATURE, OPINIONS OF THE HEADS OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY, PRESENT PRACTICES IN OTHER STATES, AND OPINIONS OF EXPERTS IN THE FIELD FROM THOSE STATES. AUTHORIZATION, GOVERNANCE, ENROLLMENT, POPULATION, FINANCING, FACILITIES, EMPLOYMENT NEEDS, PROGRAMS, QUALIFICATIONS, QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS, GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, TUITION, AND SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED. (HS)