Social implications of distance education at the university level are considered, based primarily on the case of La Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) of Costa Rica. UNED, which is Costa Rica's attempt to implement Great Britain's open university philosophy of education, was developed in response to the following needs: to provide opportunities for university education without moving to San Jose or another large city; and the need to educate persons in specific areas of national need (e.g., education, management, agriculture, health services). Six influences or changes of the social environment brought about by this new system are as follows: (1) long-range social planning is needed; (2) new educational modes without a lecturer or classroom are adopted; (3) community and individual development may be enhanced since small study groups may become active social forces; (4) the accessibility of education is improved; (5) modern communication channels are used to convey information to learners; and (6) an interplay between this educational approach and the political atmosphere in the country may occur (i.e., distance education can be used as an instrument of the government). It is concluded that a distance education university in a Latin American culture has the potential of being a major social change agent. (SW)