The causes of stress for college senior-level administrators and their coping approaches were studied, based on discussions with 60 administrators from 44 institutions in the United States and England. Four sources of stress were identified: stress from the general environment, stress from job-related but external sources, stress from internal and/or psychological sources, and stress stemming from student encounters. The administrators adopt an attitude of reality acceptance toward the external dimensions of stress, be they general to the environment (e.g., wider political or social developments), or higher-education related but external to the institution (e.g., a state regulation or collective-bargaining contract). It is the internal/psychological and student-related stressors that they attempt to address. Six types of coping mechanisms include: development of a healthy lifestyle, development of personal and professional support systems, adoption of effective time management techniques, perception of change as challenge, development of a stress game plan, and development of a positive attitude. Developing a healthy lifestyle alone does not eliminate stress, but it helps people cope and provides a base for further strategies. Developing a positive attitude toward life and work is recognized as the best strategy for dealing with stress. (SW)