This publication details the critical issues being debated in telecommunications today and their impact on colleges and universities in the future. An introduction identifies important changes in recent years including technological advances, the digitizing of communication, privatization and commercialization of the Internet, possible significant revision of federal and state telecommunications law, and universities' growing dependence on telecommunications. Discussion of each of five current or emerging issues follows. The discussion of universal access, service, and affordability notes that telecommunication monopolies which benefited higher education are being replaced by competition possibly causing initially higher costs, the replacement of traditional distance learning formats, and challenges to university libraries. The next section discusses balancing the free exchange of ideas and dissemination of knowledge with the intellectual property rights of authors, publishers, and copyright owners. A section on privacy and free speech discusses protection for free inquiry and expression and supports measures under individual control rather than government intrusion into freedom of expression. A section on emerging issues looks at realizing the potential for distance education, information services, and professional training and lifelong learning. A final section looks at how telecommunications changes are offering higher education an array of opportunities to collaborate with other groups and organizations. (JB)