A comprehensive review of the current status, prospects, and problems of computer networking in higher education is presented from the perspectives of both computer users and network suppliers. Several areas of computer use are considered including applications for instruction, research, and administration in colleges and universities. In the opening chapter, William F. Miller discusses the role that computer networking is likely to play in higher education. He notes that a national network often can provide cost-effective specialized services more easily than can individual institutions and is able to offer a wider variety of services than is available at any single computer center. In succeeding chapters, Ronald Segal reports the results of an extensive research project on networking that included the simulation of a national network serving higher education and research. Early experiences of the EDUNET network are discussed by Paul S. Heller, and Robert H. Scott examines important facets of the EDUNET Business Plan. Conference workshops on policy issues in networking, facilitating services for networking, and network resources are discussed by William F. Massy, Tad Pinkerton, and Barry L. Berman in the concluding chapters. (Author/SF)