Student affairs professionals have a new tool to assist them in student development-the computer. This tool can free educators from repetitious tasks, store and retrieve vast quantities of information, and provide badly needed assessment capabilities. It can also teach students decision-making skills and provide other sophisticated assistance in an individualized manner. However, because the profession of student affairs has not been at the forefront of the computer revolution in higher education, it is only with the advent of the low-cost microcomputer and the recent availability of software packages for student affairs that the profession has begun to utilize this new tool and explore its full potential. This volume of New Directions for Student Services describes current computer capabilities, examines some of the problems the computer raises for student affairs professionals, and points to areas where further research is needed.