The number of decision-makers in higher education has increased, and resolution of issues has gravitated toward the state level. Since World War II the trend has been toward centralizing authority in state higher education coordinating and governing boards. Issues such as access and aid to higher education or statewide collective bargaining stimulate a more active state role in the governance of higher education. Current trends are having strong impact on higher education programs and institutions. New developments include regulations from many different sources, limited authority of governing boards, need for statewide support and planning, preauditing, and increased state control of private institutions. The problem is how to retain the advantage of central control with the least sacrifice of institutional autonomy. Some steps in this direction are assigning clear divisions of responsibility to state higher education agencies and institutions, organizing states and their institutions for more effective participation in state political processes, and reliance on the courts to settle questions of institutional autonomy. (Author/JM)