Middle-level administrative costs and personnel are increasing at a time when other areas are being forced to cut back. These middle-level positions are the deans and directors and assistants of support services in the areas of admissions, counseling, business, accounting and personnel offices, fund raising, safety, public information, alumni affairs, student personnel, registration and scheduling, and similar nonacademic support staff areas. The three functions of these staff are to act as liaison with external suppliers of resources; to implement procedures for internal allocation of resources and control of activities; and to work with student activities and curricular responsibilities. Specific examples of these functions are given. The staffing of these positions has moved from faculty with part-time assignments to the hiring of recent graduates without experience to a combination of the two. In the present period of retrenchment, due to tighter budgets, the need for more professionalism has become apparent. Influences on the future of college administration are discussed including affirmative action and the process of retrenchment itself. Some problems of middle-level personnel that are considered are the lack of mobility, the lack of opportunity for career growth, and the lack of continuing challenge. Some available solutions for these conditions are discussed. (JMF)