The focus of the session summarized in this paper was on how postsecondary educational institutions can better anticipate the future of higher education by using the "alternative futures approach to planning" model. The alternative futures model processes the best available information obtainable so that plausible alternative futures in a changing world can be anticipated, thereby limiting the number of unanticipated possibilities to the smallest possible set available for decision making. Areas discussed are the following: (1) the need for futures planning for higher education and the use of the alternative approach to planning as fulfilling that need; (2) an explanation of the alternative approach model compared to traditional long-range planning models; and (3) an explanation of how implementing the model's methodology can assist the institution in becoming more alert to what is happening in the world, make better assumptions as to how the world works, and assist in expanding the vision of possibilities, opportunities, and threats confronting higher education, its institutions, and its research agendas. A chart presents the results of small group consideration including events nominated as potentially affecting higher education and their implications. Contains seven references. (GLR)