A strong trend toward a federated structure in colleges and universities is affectin g faculty authority by weakening faculty as a whole and strengthening the faculty in its many parts. The collection of professional experts on one campus represents a system of groups with similar status and power that coexist or battle with each other within the structure. At large universities faculty authority resembles what is called "professional authority" in hospitals, industry, and research and development laboratories. But where peer professionals in these other organizations work closely toward one goal, faculty authority is divided between departments, colleges, and separate or allied disciplines. Faculty influence on campus is enhanced by the growing availability of external sources of support such as grants from the federal government, and a labor market which is highly favorable to the professor. The basic weakness of this federated structure is that chaos may occur if there is no strong leadership to channel the efforts of and mediate conflicts between the groups. The university president should serve as mediator, unify the diverse groups on campus, and at the same time maintain the overall objectives of the institution in order to "move the whole enterprise another foot ahead." (WM)