In this age of rapid change, colleges and universities must expect their personnel to view relationships with students as a form of voluntary association. This means being dedicated to the intellectual and moral development of students as association members and the good of the larger community. This booklet examines a historical perspective of higher education's relationship with its students. A discussion of voluntary association examines why association is important. Also explained are the following principles of association that colleges should affirm: those who associate in the college community are committed to the pursuit of truth; the pursuit of truth is guided by a process; and the nature of the goal and the process used to pursue it are molded by a permanent duty to honor those who precede and to leave a better world for those who will follow. The following virtues are presented as being required to adhere to higher education's principles: honesty, respect, civility, self-restraint, empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility. Virtues can be taught by: clearly stating community values, including academic honesty, civility, and respect for freedom of thought and expression; treating the statement of values as more than stale dogma; asking students ethical questions both in and out of class; role modeling; giving students significant responsibility to manage their own affairs; encouraging the development of empathy; creating environments where personal interaction can flourish; promoting group bonding through service; enforcing reasonable rules; and enforcing rules fairly. (Contains 24 references.) (MKA)