The field of Indian Studies has been forced to bear unusual burdens in its effort to establish itself at the university. Many of the first Indian Studies programs were so involved in student relations that academic content was shoved into the background preventing Indian academics from following tenure track positions at the university level. Student discipline is difficult to maintain--as it is in any ethnic studies program. The mistaken expectation that Indian Studies will teach Indian culture creates problems with both Indian and non-Indian students. Indian staff are overloaded with administrative duties that require minority representatives; they are expected to provide diverse and far-reaching support for Indian students and to set an "example." Finally, and most seriously, a majority of Indians reaching college are not prepared for college work. In spite of all these problems, the potential of Indian Studies programs remains high, and steps should be taken to improve them. College entrance tests should be used to identify the large number of Indian students who need additional academic training before college. These students should not go directly to college but to a transitional program where they can gain necessary skills to succeed in college. (JHZ)