Stereotypes of the overall character of the college student population are seen to have persisted, inaccurately, for several decades. The dangers of such stereotypes are pointed out and educators are warned against policies and practices based on misconceptions about today's students. Information from national surveys of over 95,000 undergraduates…

The experience of baccalaureate-level students in the United States is considered with particular attention to the way college structures and procedures affect students' lives. During fall 1984, site visits by 16 observer-reporters were made to 29 colleges and universities representing liberal arts colleges, comprehensive colleges,…