A statement of principles and practices of graduate education in the 1980's offers to help institutions plan and evaluate the organiztion and administration of their graduate schools. It is argued that institutional goals and practices in higher education will be subject to close scrutiny and change in the coming decade. Changes forecast include budgetary shift and reevaluation of societal needs that will require assessment of traditional objectives in advanced educational programs that have been assumed in times past. A total commitment to quality of the educational experience will be demanded of academic institutions involved in graduate programs. In order for this commitment to be implemented, it will be essential for institutions to define the appropriate administrative structures and intellectual environments necessary to meet and participate in events that will shape advanced education in the future. Each institutional environment will be called upon to meet unique needs that will serve different kinds of students and programs. It is suggested that the chief graduate school officer be a person who occupies a prominent position in the decision-making processes of the academic institution. Such a person should participate directly in academic and resource allocations and administration of research. In addition, the graduate school officer should be responsibile for the administration of such graduate student affairs as admissions, financial aid, examining committees, degree requirements and, jointly with the graduate council, the review of graduate programs for their educational quality. (CC)