A sample of 3,484 incoming first-year students at a large, mid-Atlantic University were surveyed to assess a variety of attitudinal and behavioral variables pertinent to the college experience. The current study focused on how student value system orientation, or the degree to which values are open or closed, related to key aspects of college student development. Results revealed that students with open value systems had a greater investment in social problems, had more interaction with and tolerance for diverse groups, had more favorable attitudes toward multiculturalism and affirmative action, and engaged in slightly more alcohol consumption. Also, those with closed value systems were more likely to be religious and male. It is suggested that the ability of college students to have an open set of beliefs or values may be critical to their experiences in a diverse college setting and that administrators should be cognizant of this when promoting diversity initiatives. (Contains 2 tables.)