Developments that highlight the importance of state oversight and authorization of higher education institutions and the objectives of the current Colorado Springs seminar on this topic are considered. In addition to the basic fact that states are the origin of chartering, licensing, and authorization of educational institutions, states have needed to develop more effective laws and agencies and to take more seriously their authorization and regulatory functions. This is in part because of the number of awards of federal funds to institutions, including funds under the G.I. Bill. The growth of postsecondary and higher education during the 1960s and first half of the 1970s and the growing public concern for consumer protection are among the other issues prompting state oversight and authorization efforts. One forum for state authorizing agencies of proprietary and nondegree programs has been the National Association of State Approval Agencies. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) developed model legislation to assess not only state legislation but also regulations, and to some extent operations. Both the ECS and the Federal Interagency Committee on Education have urged further strengthening of state laws, adoption of ECS model legislation, and development of a clearinghouse for information among states on authorization and on consumer protection. The establishment of the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation and a seminar in 1976 (Keystone) specifically designed for state approval agencies are also noted. Studies that have an impact are also briefly described. Objectives of the present seminar at Colorado Springs are to review the American Institutes for Research federally funded report, "Study of State Oversight in Postsecondary Education," problems faced by authorizing agencies, the adequacy of present laws and regulations, and the relations of state oversight operations to accreditation and to the federal government. (SW)