Survey data show that instructors are aware of the need for changes in Russian higher education, but are rather demoralized by the difficult social and professional situation in which they work. And so, given the current functioning of higher education, a number of demotivating factors have an influence on instructors' satisfaction with their work and, in the long run, determine their attitudes toward the reform of education. The process of scientific and pedagogical remains attractive to the overwhelming majority of college instructors, but low satisfaction with work conditions and low make it hard to count on their enthusiasm and readiness to be actively involved in innovation. (Contains 1 table.)