Colleges may have to close because of complications with capital finances, management troubles, and relations with constituents as well as declining enrollment. The building of a setting for agreement on mission, for consultation, and for appropriate levels of decision-making is the best way to insure a college's survival. (MLW)

Colleges and universities should become age-integrated institutions and focus more on continuing education programs as a primary institutional function. (MSE)

Enrollments will not see steady growth again for five years. Most of the struggling colleges that have managed continuing success so far are predicted to survive. Some will endure specifically because administrators and trustees have incorporated the procedures and programs that have been successfully implemented in other institutions. (MSE)

It is hoped that an attitude of gloom and decline is not allowed to pervade higher education. Trustees, regents, and governors of institutions are encouraged to press for energetic initiatives and intelligent change, with maximum foresight. It is important that human talent be fully used. (MSE)

Likely enrollment trends in the near future may forecast difficulties for institutions, and for current and prospective faculty, but students will seldom, if ever, have it so good on campus. Institutions will be primed to serve student needs better than ever before. (MSE)

Higher education enrollment is seen as declining during the next 15 years. The decision to struggle on or close down must rest with governing boards or legislators. They must take the responsibility for their institutions and at the same time provide the best education for the greatest number of students. (MLW)

Defining the college or university in terms of a shared vision of what distinguishes it from others can help unite constituencies and build a more effective student recruitment campaign. During declining enrollments, such unity of purpose can be crucial to institutional survival. (Author/MSE)

For the twenty-first century, higher education's future is promising, but in the meantime, there are problems--demographics, inflation, middle-class backlash--and two less discussed perils: loss of diversity and weakened commitment to science. However, individual institutions have individual futures and many are bright. (Author/LBH)

State funding mechanisms are seen as coming under scrutiny because they don't accurately reflect enrollment decline effects on overall costs. Ohio has worked out a method of relating funding formula to actual costs and Florida reduces funding by half the average cost for enrollment declines. (Author/MLW)

Changes occuring in the student body of small private liberal arts colleges between 1975 and 1983 include shifts in college choice factors, the perceived importance of the school in getting a job after graduation, and cost considerations. Colleges must carefully develop new markets before crises occur. (MSE)

Each level of higher education funding decision making--governor, legislature, state coordinating agency, system boards, and campus administration--is examined and the decision alternatives available to each are discussed. It is found that campuses have more freedom and capability than higher levels to apply reductions differentially rather than…

Community college trustees face critical decisions on policy issues. Instead of the growth-oriented marketing approach, the alternative of planned decline under board management is suggested. Alternatives, response to decline, role of faculty in policy determination, and new resource allocations are discussed. (MLW)

A study showing that enrollment has not yet declined is discussed. Enrollments in two-year public institutions, women's colleges, Black institutions, and denominational institutions are described. Assessing enrollment strategies, recession and higher enrollments, and major concerns for trustees are outlined. (MLW)

The results of a college president's informal survey of European academics' attitudes about liberal arts vs. vocational education, declining enrollments, evaluation of quality education, articulation between secondary and higher education, and computers in education are discussed. (MSE)