Risks to institutional data processing operations include physical damage, violations of data integrity, and restrictions of physical access. Development of a responsive and effective disaster recovery program is complex, requires significant effort and the use of specialized personnel, and spans all major disciplines and organizational levels.…

The need for information controls for college records management programs and the elements of program organization, planning, and management are discussed. Conditions at institutions that indicate a flaw in information control are identified, along with the benefits of a sound records management program. The management of an information and…

Issues that colleges and universities must address in implementing the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 116 (concerning contributions received and made) and 117 (for nonprofit organizations) are outlined. The overall objective is to present a financial statement in a format that tells the…

Uses of personal computers, or microcomputers (micros), by college business offices are discussed, with attention to safeguards. An advantage of using micros is that business officers can develop their own applications with purchased software and need not depend on the data processing staff. The micros, which are located in the business office and…

Common challenges faced by colleges and universities in fulfilling information system needs are explained and discussed, including frequent and bothersome database and application program upgrades, bugs in the application programs, business systems lacking the required business capability, upgrades to software tools used to build the business…

This article describes the Chaminade University (Hawaii) information management system which integrates the fiscal system, the chart of accounts, the general ledger, accounts receivable, budgeting, purchasing and encumbrances, accounts payable, and faculty contracts. Briefly described are the initial system, system revision, design concepts, data…

Administrators at Bowdoin College (Maine) have translated lessons learned from the process of administrative software conversion into ten commandments for other small colleges undertaking such changes. Three approaches to management information systems are outlined, with advantages and limitations highlighted, as well as the ten recommendations,…

The first part in a two-part series about the development of an integrated management information system at Chaminade University (Hawaii) discusses decisions made about the system's integration and transportability, modularization, programing language, and productivity in the first five years. (MSE)

Steps that should be followed in choosing and implementing an administrative computer system are discussed. Three stages are involved: institutional assessment, system selection, and implementation. The first step is to define the current status of the data processing systems and the management information systems at the institutions. Future…

Indiana University and the University of Delaware have begun to expand the notion of financial information management by the innovative use of computer and Internet applications. Widespread access to institutional information has advantages and disadvantages. At both institutions, information managers addressed administrative resistance but…

The process of reengineering the administrative information system at the University of Idaho required careful planning, development of a set of philosophies, and several strategies for ensuring success. The latter included a humorous symbol (a jitter bug) to express concern, improved institutional communications, and a focus on logistical issues.…

A Pennsylvania State University study of institutions deemed to be using technology well found that they all use policy, budget, and strategy measures to maximize benefits; encourage early implementation of information technology infrastructure and standards; emphasize customer service to integrate technology into institutional culture; and use…