Optimism concerning the future of higher education was the keynote of this address by the Assistant Secretary for Education and US Commissioner of Education. He cites the atmosphere of change pervading the nation's campuses and the federal commitment to higher education represented by the establishment of new and the reorganization of existing programs by the US Office of Education. He stressed the need for careful planning by both the government and institutions of higher education in this period of widespread social and institutional change. "The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, particularly the Office of Education, has, I believe, a definite responsibility in helping to chart the future of higher education." (JS)