The steps taken toward office automation by the University of Maryland are described. Office automation is defined and some types of word processing systems are described. Policies developed in the writing of a campus plan are listed, followed by a section on procedures adopted to implement the plan. (Author/MLW)

The use of microcomputers in libraries is making online processing less expensive and more effective than traditional manual and batch processes. Procedures followed by the University of Maryland in selecting a computerized library information system from among several turnkey, online circulation systems are described. (MLW)

Academic support systems are characterized as those activities that center around a dean's office--office automation/information systems, institutional research and electronic communication. The basic and design and implementation issues that are encountered in providing these support systems are examined. (Author/MLW)

To be sure that the capitalization required in the move to distributed processing is spent wisely, it is necessary to understand the function, integration, and system architecture. How to achieve corporate standards in office automation/decision support in higher education is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Three implementation strategies for office automation and decision support systems within postsecondary educational institutions--"natural evolution,""the total solution," and "coordinate evolution"--are identified. The components of an effective implementation plan are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Some observations about office technology in higher education are presented. University of Maryland plans concerning its approach to office automation are discussed. Seventeen features considered "mandatories" for any system that might be acquired are identified. (Author/MLW)

Computer technology cannot be expected to make up for poor management; change the fundamental way business is done; define itself; or stop mistakes from being made. Computer technology can be expected to help make better decisions, help deal with change; automate mundane tasks, and offer an opportunity to look at things differently. (MLW)

Texas A & M University at Galveston is the only marine and maritime-oriented University in the Southwest. Its computing policy/direction, academic computing, administrative computing, and library automation are described, and hurricance emergency plans are also discussed. (MLW)

A voice recognition, voice response registration system used at Brigham Young University is described. System design and implementation, system impact, staff adjustment, student responsibility, freedom and flexibility, system acceptance, and the future outlook are discussed. (MLW)

The experiences of Seattle Pacific University as it changed from closed-shop to end-user computing are described. Once departments got over the initial shock of servicing the many nitty-gritty job requests formerly handled within computer services, they began to like the new system. (MLW)

A seven-year long-range information systems plan at the University of Miami outlined 44 applications, most of which were to be installed in a database environment via prototyping with fourth-generation tools. The challenges that confront information systems managers are described. (Author/MLW)

The implementation of an executive network in 1983 by the Maricopa Community Colleges is described. The system was to be used to transmit electronic mail, manage calendars, schedule meetings, take advantage of word processing, retrieve data, and represent data graphically in color. (Author/MLW)

An overview of the options and opportunities postsecondary institutions should consider when developing plans for student aid automation is provided. The role of automation in the financial aid office, interfaces with institutional and external systems, alternative approaches to automation, and the need for an institutional strategy for automation…

In February 1980, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center in Chicago appointed a task force to study word processing/office automation and to make recommendations for acquisition, implementation, and administration. The group's working approach, findings, and conclusions are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Planning for information technology, computer services, computer hardware, administrative computing, academic computing, and office automation/networking at Austin Peay State University are described. (MLW)