General College, an independent unit of the University of Minnesota, is described in this application for funds and associate status as a participant in Project IV of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. The college is an urban, open admissions school that focuses on the interdisciplinary and liberal arts component of the undergraduate curriculum. Various certificates, the associate of arts degree, and two baccalaureate degree programs are offered by the college. The importance of the open admissions policy in helping the college serve persons who are disadvantaged by traditional student practices or who would be excluded from higher education by conventional student selection/retention policies is discussed. Low tuition and utilitarian courses of study add a unique dimension to the program at General College. The history and future prospects of the college since 1932 are divided into three periods: formative years (1932-1942); war years (1942-1970); and the outreach years (1970-1980). The important characteristics and developments of each period are discussed. A four point proposal that would be implemented as part of General College's involvement in Project IV includes: (1) restructuring of the General College program; (2) intensification of the research and testing program; (3) orientation of tenure-track faculty to general/liberal education; and (4) expansion of reports on general/liberal education at General College. Each aspect of the proposal is described and the role that General College can play in the support and development of general education programs is discussed. (BH)