Views on outcomes of affirmative action policy for U.S. higher education, areas of conflict, and changes that might promote affirmative action are discussed. It is suggested that affirmative action in college hiring and admissions has resulted in a small proportion of the opportunities made available to black Americans over the past two decades. But for the country as a whole, the majority of blacks who are hired, and who enroll in school, do so without special or preferential treatment and in spite of discrimination. Statistics show that in 1981 black faculty comprised 4.2% of the total higher education faculty, while black administrators comprised 6.8%. Most of these black staff are employed in predominantly or traditionally black institutions. Once black staff enter the predominantly white institutions, they face many overt and hidden obstacles to advancement. One issue is that blacks often are heavily involved in service activities that are not rewarded professionally. The following changes are needed: reducing the attrition rates for black students; decreasing the overrepresentation of white males in the system, preserving traditionally black institutions, and increasing the number of black Ph.D.s. (SW)