This collection of speculative essays discusses potential roles which historically black colleges may choose to implement in the near future as a means of maintaining a viable position in the sphere of American higher education. The chapters provide a contemporary view of these institutions and the impact that such factors as enrollment, federal policies, desegregation and management may have on their future. The chapters include current data on black college enrollment, graduation rates, public policies and programs and offer a variety of research topics that should be explored prior to the implementation of new institutional missions or the expansion of traditional roles. The authors are cognizant of the fact that historically black colleges now enroll less than one-fifth of the black students who attend college today and offer strategies by which black colleges can continue to play a meaningful role in the education of college students. Though the emphasis is on black colleges particularly, many of the issues discussed have as much relevance for small private institutions beset by current adverse factors as enrollment decline, contraction and retrenchment in higher education.