Designed to provide a historical perspective on consumerism in higher education, this literature review considers consumer laws, student rights and responsibilities, institutional practices, and major issues related to consumerism and its impact on students and colleges. After an overview of the purposes, scope, and limitations of the paper, the legal rights and responsibilities of educational consumers and institutions are reviewed, with special focus on federal legislation and California laws enforcing consumer rights. Next, studies, reports by government agencies and professional associations, and conference proceedings provide the basis for a discussion highlighting several consumerism issues, including fraudulent and misleading advertising and brochures; unfair recruitment practices; degree mills; tuition refund policies; federal assistance programs; student abuses; the community college open door's effect on consumerism; student responsibilities; accuracy and security of records; and tie-in funding. Finally, recommendations are presented, such as the identification of institutional activities that may lead to consumer abuses, the preparation of statements to help employees in avoiding such abuses, needs assessments of all campus programs, a monitoring of students' course and program selection for compatibility with their potential, and the development of regulations to minimize cheating, sporadic attendance, vandalism, and theft. (HB)