The leadership role of the State must be to assure access for all of its citizens to a quality education. This is an all-encompassing role, and it includes many factors. An important factor is that States must support the low-tuition principle in colleges and universities. The best student aid program ever devised is low-tuition. Closely related to the matter of low-tuition are the State appropriations to higher education. If the State appropriations process is an orderly and fair process, colleges and universities can develop reasonable expectations of State funding. These expectations are necessary for planning, development, and for the consistent execution of college policy. A responsible financial attitude on the part of the State can eliminate breaches of personnel procedures, faculty programs, and deterioration of morale. (Author)