Public higher education's use of a policy/regulation (P/R) manual system, a mechanism for providing information, was investigated. Attention was directed to the following concerns: the prevailing judgment of higher education authorities regarding the value of a P/R manual system; whether it is general practice to employ a P/R manual system in public higher education; reasons offered by administrators who do not employ such a system; characteristics and features that are required for an effective system; and the activities and programs recommended by authorities to foster the use of P/R manual systems. Checklist responses were obtained from 24 higher education association executives, 61 higher education authorities and state coordinating agency executive officers, and 81 higher education administrators and state governing board executive officers. Findings include the following: the prevailing judgment of authorities was that a P/R manual system is a beneficial mechanism that promotes effective governance in higher education; the system can facilitate communication, provide guidelines for due process, expedite decision making, and promote high personnel morale; and P/R manuals have frequently been ineffective. (SW)