The widespread use of Information Technology (IT) in a college or university setting represents a significant change from traditional ways in which higher education has been conducted. Technological change has repercussions throughout the many dimensions of institutional life. This paper explores the impact of information technology on the structural, human resource, political, and cultural aspects of higher education. IT breaks down organizational barriers and barriers previously created by time and distance, creating new opportunities for distance learning which affect the structure of the academic department, social interaction, residential college life, and the nature of instruction. IT has the ability to increase and streamline communications between faculty, students, and administration, but can also present communication problems because of differing computer attitudes and skill levels. Universities must contend with political issues of resource allocation, financial constraints, and competition and cooperation with other schools. IT affects the culture of higher education by changing the key roles of faculty, students, and administration, and altering the distinctive cultural character of higher education institutions. Information technology creates new ways for doing existing work more efficiently, creates new work that did not previously exist, enhances education, and transforms the traditional ways in which we think about the process of higher education. (SWC)