THE BOOK ADDRESSES BOTH THE SUBSTANCE AND THE PROCESS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION. THE EMERGENCE OF CONSUMERISM AS AN ISSUE IN HIGHER EDUCATION IS EXAMINED IN PAPERS THAT DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF THE STUDENT AS AN EDUCATIONAL CONSUMER, TRACE THE HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF THE CONCEPT, AND REVIEW THE EVENTS THAT HAVE FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE ISSUE OF CONSUMERISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION. THE VIEWS OF MAJOR PROTAGONISTS IN THE DEBATE CONCERNING WHO HAS THE OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE STUDENT CONSUMER ARE PRESENTED. INCLUDED ARE DISCUSSION OF THE ROLES OF STATE GOVERNMENTS, STUDENTS, AND ACCREDITING ASSOCIATIONS. OTHER PAPERS REPORTS IDEAS, PROGRESS, AND OBSTACLES IN PROVIDING BETTER INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND IN ESTABLISHING AVENUES FOR REDRESS OF STUDENT GRIEVANCES ON CAMPUS -- THE TARGET AREAS OF MOST CONSUMER PROTECTION PROPOSALS. SEE ALSO NCJ 46520-46529. (LKM)