A planning and study process was undertaken to formulate a new governance system for higher education in Kansas. The research portion involved review of the literature, individual interviews with over 25 decision makers in the state, and consultation with national experts. The work indicated that the state needed to restructure higher education governance. Four recommendations were advanced: (1) development of a Master Plan for higher education; (2) careful and precise definition of "higher education" and involvement of all segments of education in Master Plan development; (3) enabling legislation to permit community colleges and Area Vocational Technical Schools (AVTS) to come under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents; and (4) consideration of two alternatives for restructuring the governance of higher education. The first alternative would bring Washburn University and the community colleges under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents with redefinition and merger of certain AVTS components into community colleges. The second alternative would interlock the two existing governing boards with new members forming a joint committee which would oversee community colleges and appoint an executive director for community colleges. A proposed implementation schedule is also included. (Contains 47 references.) (JB)