In 1971 legislation, the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina provided that a major function of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina should be to plan for the future of higher education. Major sections of their report on planning cover: (1) a review of higher education in the State of North Carolina; (2) constraints, assumptions, and projections affecting planning; (3) goals, tasks, and objectives; and (4) instruction, research, and public service. Topics covered involve: organization and administration; enrollments; state and private, two-year and four-year institutions, and professional schools; state characteristics; tuition; student financial aid; educational access; program planning; and educational facilities. (KE)