Walt Mossberg, personal-technology columnist for "The Wall Street Journal," highlighted technology trends in his speech to a group of college presidents and other administrators. Mr. Mossberg touched a nerve when he called information-technology departments of large organizations, including colleges, "the most regressive and poisonous force in…

The president of the University of Phoenix calls its centralized course-development process a "safety net" for instructors. Critics call it a "cookie-cutter approach." (EV)

Discusses how California State University's $400-million effort to centralize administrative computing has led to controversy not only over the cost, but also over pressure on individual colleges to change policies. (EV)

Governor Schaefer of Maryland declared that higher education would be the top priority this year. His major proposal was to bring the 13 four-year colleges and universities under the governance of a single board, while limiting the power of the statewide coordinating board and eliminating single campus boards. (MLW)

A plan for all of the state of Maryland's 13 public colleges and universities to be included in the University of Maryland System is discussed. The system would be governed by a board of regents, and each college would have a board of trustees to monitor campus issues. (MLW)

Academics are clamoring for services from campus computer centers, despite predictions that the proliferation of personal computers threatened their existence. Faculty are using the services for help with their own machines. (MSE)

The recommendations made in a recent report, "The Guardians: Boards of Trustees of American Colleges and Universities," address governing board membership, structure, operations, role, and responsibilities. Emphasis is on the public board. (MSE)