SEVENTEEN IMPERATIVES FOR AN IMPROVED CONSUMER PROTECTION SYSTEM IN EDUCATION, DERIVED FROM CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY STUDENTS AND BY REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, ARE SET FORTH. BASIC FUNCTIONS ARE SUGGESTED FOR THE EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION CENTERS AUTHORIZED IN THE EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENTS OF 1976. THE USE OF THE CENTERS FOR STUDENT CONSUMER PROTECTION PURPOSES IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AND INVOLVEMENT; INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, INVOLVEMENT, AND AUTONOMY; PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS; AND ADAPTABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND ECONOMY. PROBLEMS THAT THE INFORMATION CENTERS ARE NOT LIKELY TO RESOLVE ARE POINTED OUT. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT INSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE IS PARAMOUNT IN IMPROVING FAIR PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS AND MUST NOT BE DELAYED. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE URGED TO CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDENT-CONSUMER ANALOGY IN REASSESSING THE STUDENT-INSTITUTION RELATIONSHIP. ALL SIDES ARE URGED TO CONSIDER CONSTRUCTIVE, FLEXIBLE PROPOSALS. (LKM)