A study conducted at eleven midwestern universities investigated the appropriateness of direct action as a means of changing university policies. Interviewed subjects (six) voiced their opinions about student use of direct action tactics to initiate change in three broad areas: (1) academic issues, (2) personal and social conduct issues and, (3) freedom of expression issues. Results showed: (1) deans of students saw direct action tactics as never being appropriate, (3) student government presidents and newspaper editors saw such tactics as inappropriate for academic issues, somewhat appropriate for personal and social behavior issues and more appropriate for freedom of expression issues. The author supports the necessity for occasional power confrontations and conflicts to serve as a medium through which problems can be aired, solutions arrived at, and a "root for necessary change on campuses". Implications for the role of student personnel workers in this area are discussed. (LS)