Partnerships are examined using information gathered in interviews with over 20 chief information officers or chief academic computing officers at universities considered leaders in information technology. Issues addressed include why partnerships are formed; four types; how they are formed; the importance of vendor contract; and impact.…

The common campus dilemma of decreasing or distributing central information systems (IS) resources while pursuing development of mission-critical systems that will require increased central IS support is discussed. Areas in which such increased support is needed are outlined, and the need for leadership is described. Specific steps are suggested.…

Document imaging, a technology that transforms printed text, figures, and pictures into computer-accessible forms, may be offered as a solution to document management problems involving space and personnel. Administrators and planners should understand relevant issues, considerations, difficulties, and options. Examples are drawn from the…

The administrative computing operation of Clemson University is discussed. The university's computing history, computer hardware, and computing organization (including the Computer Center, administrative programing services, and information systems development) are described. (MLW)

An award-winning administrator of a college computer system discusses the role of networking and teamwork in successful information management, drawing on experiences during recent political upheavals in eastern Europe for illustration. Other success factors stressed include having and sharing a dream and developing future leaders. (MSE)

The planning assumptions on which Oberlin College's computer support staff encouraged incorporation of microcomputer use on campus are outlined and discussed, including computers as a higher education resource, networks, institutional planning considerations, encouraging staff and faculty participation, and computer staff support efforts. (MSE)

Boston University's (Massachusetts) online requisition system allows authorized users in 130 campus departments to originate a variety of transactions, eliminating all manual processing of requisitions. The system is described, its two-year system development cycle is chronicled, and its impact and reception by users are discussed. (Author/MSE)

The University of Arizona has begun to reorganize campus computing. Six working groups were formed to address six areas of computing: academic computing, library automation, administrative data processing and information systems, writing and graphics, video and audio services, and outreach and public service. (MLW)

A comprehensive study of five institutions, selected as leaders in the field of administrative computer technology in higher education, is analyzed. Results are presented in the following areas: administrative tasks, information organization/technical structure, institutional operation, personnel, and cost/value. (Author/MLW)

Although information systems developers are encouraged to adopt a client/server orientation, systems architectures and tools are still evolving. Successful applications must be built on standards and a well-defined system architecture, and data administration issues must be addressed. Key management concerns for colleges and universities are…

Reorganization of the information systems at Indiana University is chronicled and the role of computing services in linking all parts of the institution in support of both education and administration is discussed. Involvement of planning and policy groups in developing directions and initiatives is also outlined. (MSE)

Through a discussion of research on institutions using computer-based planning models, this question is addressed: How does the institutional decision maker make decisions using state-of-the-art computing tools without neglecting nonquantitative realities? (MSE)

Thoughts on planning, from the perspective of managers/administrators are presented. Eleven steps of the planning process are identified: statement of objective, proposal outline, management approval, organization, outline of plan, organization of data, evaluation of data, formulation of conclusions, review of draft plan, preparation of plan, and…

The evolution of executive reporting and decision support systems at the University of Hartford is described, including a definition of concepts, discussion of the decision support roles of the planning and institutional research office and computer service, a description of several systems already developed, and the strategies underlying…

Results of a national survey investigating problems with aging college computer systems are reported. On average, 68 percent of systems were identified as aging (five or more years old or not under database management systems). Strategies for upgrading obsolescent systems are discussed, and the role of planning is emphasized. Anecdotal information…