This comprehensive handbook, which emphasizes major planning problems and their solutions, should enable administrators and others to enhance the professional skills they will need for the successful management and operation of statewide systems of higher learning. Chapters cover: design for statewide planning; socioeconomic comparisons among states; extending educational opportunity; financial aid to students; differential functions of colleges and universities; selected responsibilities in the search for excellence; meeting area educational program and capacity needs; measuring professional manpower supply and demand; college and university libraries; space management and projection; campus and building planning status; issues on financing higher education; government support and institutional economies; and state budgeting for higher education. The appendices include: methodology for projecting large enrollments; higher education price indexes; college and university financial data; and college and university student migration data. Statistical tables accompany the text. (Author/PG)