US student attitudes are surveyed and attention drawn to evidence of recent changes displayed in a study of five colleges/universities undertaken by the authors in 1989/90. ‘Collective optimism’ appeared, heroes reappeared and what moved students most was the Challenger explosion rather than the political events which had been emphasised by their predecessors. Attitudes were less selfish and there was greater participation in social action. Examples are given of colleges which have responded by increasing opportunities for community service. The authors suggest that an analysis of past trends indicates that a rise in volunteerism leads to a period of student activism. The inverviews with students carried out by the authors provide evidence of such a development. The article concludes with a suggestion of points which colleges/universities should face in the light of these changes in student attitudes.