The role of the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program for 1981-82 is described in this report. The opportunity program was designed to provide resources and services to educationally and economically disadvantaged students (most of whom are Black, Spanish, or Asian American) in order to improve their academic success in college. The report notes the functions of the central (state) and individual campus administrations, and records the eligibility, profiles and characteristics of students, some of whom are prison inmates. Also described are campus programs designed to orient incoming students to the college community; supportive services, which focus on remedial and developmental courses; tutoring; and counseling services. Furthermore, the report summarizes students' achievement based on grade point averages and credit accumulation as well as outlining factors leading to student attrition, graduation, and choice of major. Finally, an explanation is offered as to how the opportunity program is financed and how students receive financial aid. Extensive statistical tables supplement the discussion. (WAM)