The demand, supply, sponsorship, and need for staff development and training activities for middle level college administrators is examined through interviews with nearly 200 administrators and faculty at 20 colleges and universities, and a review of the literature. It is explained that middle level staff serve three functions--as liaison with external suppliers of resources; as implementors of procedure for internal allocation of resources and control of activities; and as coordinators of student activities and curriculum in helping students become oriented to college requirements, standards, and opportunities. Reasons for the growth in staff training activities include such suggestions as a new sense of management accountability. The variety of development and training activities is assessed and the lack of such programs in colleges and universities is explored. Three issues that need to be addressed in order to prepare for the 1980's are: the need for change in training curricula; the need for change in the populations to whom training is offered; and the need for change in the sponsors of staff development programs. Five recommendations for college and university presidents to consider are presented, and four suggestions for middle managers themselves, such as to be visible, are provided. Results of a survey of 62 administrators are appended. An approximately 80-item bibliography is included. (PHR)