Community colleges serve more than half of all entering freshmen, half of all the women seeking higher education, and more minorities than all of the 4-year colleges and universities combined. Serving this population, the leaders and policy makers of community colleges must recognize the reasons for the underrepresentation of minorities in college degree programs and be prepared to make changes that will provide equal educational opportunities for minority groups. College completion rate studies show that attrition is a serious problem for minority students. Studies of transfer policy have isolated some specific problems that contribute to the diminishing transfer rate: poor communication of transfer requirements to students, lack of information systems for counselors who advise transfer students, the complex admissions and registration procedures, and lack of financial assistance--the most frequently cited reason for dropping out. Many community colleges have initiated programs to remedy these problems. The successful programs, characterized by partnerships of community colleges with high schools and 4-year colleges, can provide guidelines for community college policy makers, who have a responsibility to rethink basic assumptions about the needs of minority students and develop programs that promote educational equity. (JHZ)