American colleges need to begin preparing now for the very different student population of 2000, whose composition will have far more minority group members than today's, by increasing the minority group leadership in administration and governance. (MSE)

Excerpts from a recent research report outline patterns of demographic and social change affecting higher education enrollment, staffing, and planning patterns in the near future. Among the findings are that: fewer students will have college preparation; industry, government, and other agencies are now and will be educating more adults than will…

Demographic changes, especially changes in the birth cohort, will have a major impact on college enrollments. The passing of the Baby Boom generation may cause the closure of many colleges in the 1980's. The post-Baby Boom decline in births was almost completely a Caucasian phenomenon; the percentage of minorities is increasing dramatically,…

Presents the author's view of changes to come in the eighties and their effects on how, who, where, and how long the schools educate. (Author/JM)

Reflects on the declining quality of higher education today, the increasing inability of higher education to meet student needs, and the ways in which demographic influences will affect higher education in the next 16 years. Offers seven suggestions for leaders of higher education in dealing with these concerns. (IW)

Demographic influences on the makeup of urban university student populations are discussed, focusing on how demographic trends can shed light on some current debates in higher education. Issues discussed include welfare and education, ethnicity and poverty, migration patterns, the aging population, and children of Baby Boomers. (MSE)