The 1972 statewide master plan for private colleges and universities of the State of New York is presented. Chapters cover the climate of uncertainty, a response to the shifting enrollment, goals, policies, and modes of instruction; the characteristics of the private sector; the financial crises; a plan of action-objectives, long-term plan, proposed scholar incentive award, the private sector, and the decade ahead. Appendices cover fulltime equivalent students and faculty in independent colleges and universities, facilities, financial performance, availability of unrestricted funds in 1971, projected income, student financial aid, debt and debt service, new program offerings, and excerpts from Regents position paper No. 13. (MJM)