The importance of understanding and responding to cultural differences in the college classroom is discussed after acknowledging diversity in the types of institutions and missions in U.S. higher education. It is noted that the issues have moved beyond concern for equal educational opportunity to adequacy of educational attainment of entrants. Developing understanding of cultural differences and their impact on behavior and learning styles has begun in various ways at colleges, including the integration of multicultural education in teacher education programs. Enhancement of classroom climate and attention to cultural pluralism through recognition of learner differences, as well as in changing instructional patterns, are substantial problems facing individual faculty members. Specific concerns include: the need for minority role models among faculty and the staff who provide support services; sociocultural variables related to Hispanic American culture; stereotypes and myths about Chicano students; the relationship of foreign teaching assistants to the diverse domestic cultures; and skills essential for effective teaching. (SW)