Professors of rhetoric are viewing with concern the prospect of 15 years of declining enrollment in higher education. It has been speculated that the decline in enrollment will be less severe in large, well-established, urban institutions with low tuition, a clear mission or well-defined public image, well-planned modest growth, established programs in the health professions, moderate graduate enrollment and specialization, good financial conditions, and management that is willing to face financial facts and be responsive to those providing support. Research suggests that by 1986 fine arts enrollment will be little changed, letters enrollment will be considerably down, and health profession and communications enrollments will be significantly up. Some ways to turn adversity to advantage are tied to demands of employers who want employees who can write well. Teachers of speech communication might emphasize writing speeches and might develop closer alliances with journalism, advertising, and public relations. In addition, increased emphasis on speech pathology, audiology, and training of the speech or hearing handicapped and their teachers could help forestall the enrollment decline that seems in store for the field of letters, including speech communication. (TJ)