Historical trends in American postsecondary education and policy issues for the 1980s are discussed. It is noted that at the same time that access to higher education has been increased, there has been a commitment to diversity in colleges. Along with increased numbers of college-aged persons in the 1960s, the U.S. Government, illustrating a commitment to equal educational opportunity, provided financial support to large numbers of disadvantaged and minority students. In the 1970s, there began an equally dramatic decline in the number of college-goers, and a period of retrenchment occurred. Three major changes affecting higher education in the last 20 years are: the decline in the overall number of postsecondary students; a change in the type of student served by higher education, with increased numbers of adult students; and a shift in what Americans expect or demand from their investment in a college education. The following major types of conflict and tension are discussed: tensions of purpose and resource allocation, tensions of governance, and tensions of curriculum. It is suggested that the goal of excellence in some ways contradicts the goals of social justice. In addition, curriculum designers must reconcile the need to prepare students for success after graduation with the value of a liberal education. (SW)