Current sociological theory, in which students are viewed as comprising a "new class," is discussed. "Student consciousness," an analogue to "class consciousness" in the Marxist social change model, is viewed from the aspects of dress, life style, taste, its common fate of dependence on academia and the aggregation of members in and around the academic milieu. These are viewed as forming and validating a consciousness, on the part of students, of themselves as a class whose "mission" it is to reshape society. The specific question to which this study addresses itself is: do students see themselves as change agents and what effect do father's occupational level, student's occupational expectations and mobility expectations, as well as age, race and sex have on students having"class consciousness." Findings indicate that 1/3 of the respondents support the idea that students comprise a meaningful change agent. Social class background does not appear to be a significant factor, though age, race, and future occupational and mobility plans definitely discriminate supporters of the "student consciousness" idea from non-supporters. All findings are carefully presented, and some interpretation given. (TL)