INITIAL RESPONSES TO DEMANDS FOR STUDENT CONSUMER PROTECTION HAVE BEEN SURPRISINGLY NARROW AND LIMITED TO A RESTRICTED SET OF APPROACHES. LITTLE IS KNOW ABOUT THE DIMENSIONS OF CONSUMER PROBLEMS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. AS A RESULT, THE PURPOSES OF MOST PROPOSED REMEDIES ARE VAGUE. BETTER CHOICES AMONG POSSIBLE STRATEGIES MIGHT BE FACILITATED BY AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTINCT, SOMETIMES CONFLICTING, PURPOSES THAT HAVE SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS. THESE INCLUDE PROTECTION FROM SPECIFIC ABUSES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING ILLEGAL, FRAUDULENT, OR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES; THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WITH REGARD TO EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS; ADHERENCE TO FAIR PRACTICE IN THE PROCEDURAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDENT-INSTITUTION RELATIONSHIP; AND ASSURANCE WITH REGARD TO ADEQUATE PROGRAM QUALITY. THERE IS A NEED TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL OF ALL POSSIBLE PARTICIPANTS IN CONSUMER REFORM -- GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL -FOR ACCOMPLISHING EACH OF THESE PURPOSES. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE DELINEATED. SUGGESTIONS FOR A TRIPARTITE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY IN STUDENT CONSUMER PROTECTION ARE OFFERED. (LKM)