Since 1974, the Center for the Study of Community Colleges has investigated the curricula, students, faculty, and institutional practices related to the collegiate function in community colleges. Recent activities have focused on advancing the liberal arts and facilitating student transfer to four-year colleges and chosen occupations. For example, the Center has conducted a series of faculty surveys to determine teachers' backgrounds, attitudes, and instructional practices; curriculum analyses comparing liberal arts and other courses; and case studies at 20 colleges throughout the country. During 1982-83, the Center has undertaken a project, involving six urban community colleges, which has attempted to promote exemplary practices, stimulate dialogue and communication, disseminate information, and provide forums for the exchange of ideas regarding the liberal arts. As part of this project, the Center has organized and helped to conduct a series of workshops in the participating districts. These workshops have or will focus on: (1) ways to enhance college transfer programs through honors curricula and citations of excellence; (2) the need for promoting various career options in the liberal arts; (3) interdisciplinary approaches such as writing across the curriculum and links between humanities and technology; (4) defining the associate degree; (5) the liberal arts in occupational areas; and (6) student academic support systems. (AYC)