The traditions of higher education in Russia dealing with elements of student government have been weakened in recent years, but recent research shows support among Russian students for greater involvement in activities related to their lives as students. This article concludes that in order to improve student government today it will be necessary to rationalize the normative legal base; to authorize political parties, civic organizations and movements, and institutions of a civil society (including commercial organizations) to create their own structures in institutions of higher learning; and to confer on student government organizations the right to monitor college and university administrations and take part in the formulation and implementation of administrative decisions.