A conceptual view of student development and the milieu of an urban commuter college are discussed. Student development is defined as the application of human development theory, principles, and concepts in an educational setting to identify the forms of development in students to which the institution is willing and able to commit its resources. It is suggested that student development concepts and practices differ from mainstream, traditional student services. It is also proposed that the urban, commuter college environment, resources, and opportunities for facilitating student development differ sufficiently from other types of college environments to require specialized programming by professionals. Attention is directed to universal developmental concerns of undergraduate students: intellectual development, moral and ethical development, self development, interpersonal development, and career development. Strategies for student development are also suggested in regard to recruitment and intake, advising, teaching, environmental management, developmental programming, and information dissemination. Finally, developmental programming is defined to distinguish it from other types. (SW)