There has been a trend in state government toward tighter and tighter centralization that, though done in the name of greater economy and efficiency, is in large part a reach for political power. Not all services of the state can be performed well if integrated into a single monolithic administrative pyramid with all other state services and functions, and this is especially true of public higher education. The university or college almost always has its legal corporate identity, and as a center of learning develops an integrity and morale of its own: it is a living organism. At the same time, most agree that some form of coordination is essential within the statewide system. In some states the desire for coordination has led to the creation of one statewide governing board. In other states coordinating boards were established with only advisory authority, while in other, boards with a semblance of coercive powers were created. For higher education, a style and technique of intercommunication and liaison, not of hierarchical control is called for. Some thought is also being given to applying centralization to the whole state educational system, including the junior colleges, the private institutions, and the pre- through high school system. This paper discusses some of the efforts in this direction and the pitfalls. (AF)