Issues of ethics in higher education, along with a broad overview on the field of ethics, are considered. Ethical concerns include: charges of unfair practices in the recruitment of college students, especially minority athletes; reducing admission requirements to the extent that classroom and even graduation standards may deteriorate; grade inflation; student dishonesty in taking tests and writing papers; student charges that they are being neglected by their professors; the development of standards for freedom of information, sunshine legislation, in contrast to the right of privacy; and the establishment of rules to limit the time full-time faculty members can spend in consultation. Methods or sanctions that have been used to control these practices include: passing affirmative action laws in regard to employment; passing laws to provide ramps to increase access of the disabled to classrooms and offices; maintaining faculty records; monitoring research on human subjects; and developing programs of inspection and control of educational programs and services. In this process, society has emphasized regulatory sanctions. Additionally, courses in legal ethics, business ethics, and medical ethics are being taught. Ethics can be controlled by contracts providing rules of conduct in teaching, research, in the allocation of time and effort. Another alternative is that faculty, students, and administrators can draw up codes of good practice. It is suggested that a covenant cannot be imposed: it must evolve out of free association and common ideals. Concluding remarks for the third annual Pullias Lecture by Earl V. Pullias are included. (SW)