The importance of human and political factors in college planning is emphasized by a veteran faculty member and administrator. Three examples are cited, based on experiences at California State University-Northridge; West Virginia University, and the community surrounding the College of the Virgin Islands. One "real world" factor that affects a purely rational approach to planning involves the search for extramural funds. Too often schools make hasty adaptations of existing college plans and structures in order to meet the demands of funding agencies. Another issue concerns how planning relates to campus governance, and specifically how to integrate the activities of planning committees while preserving spontaneity in planning decisions. It is emphasized that planners need to make an accommodation with forces, internal and external to the college, that tend to challenge the orderliness of planning efforts. Political and human realities have legitimacy and preferential status in the planning process. Additional topics include long-range planning, and the importance of the president's or chancellor's commitment to the planning process. (SW)