The concept of access is central to any discussion of issues confronting the community college. The search for creative and effective ways of pursuing access involves examining institutional practices and state policies to define access in a way that will satisfy the need for acceptable standards and quality. Issues to be addressed in searching for alternative ways of preserving access include what students should have access to; the conditions under which students should have access to education and under which postsecondary education should be available; and whose education the states should subsidize and for how long. In dealing with these important access issues some strategies should be kept in mind. First, community colleges ought to define quality in ways that can be measured and avoid body counts as evidence of accomplishments. Second, states should place a high priority on ensuring articulation among the various components of postsecondary educational systems. Third, there needs to be agreement about program priorities within each state. Finally, dialogue is needed about the kinds of access a state believes should have priority, conditions under which access is to occur, and the most effective methods of funding to ensure that the state's policies are fully implemented. (LAL)