The Division of Computer Services at the University of Wyoming is a combined academic and administrative installation. Administrative systems are developed through a team approach, with representatives from the user office, the Institutional Data Management group, and the Division of Computer Services. (MLW)

The creation of the Claremont Computing Center as a separate organization to serve only administrative information systems represented a significant change from past combined academic and administrative computing operations. File integration and custom reports are handled by individual users; database design and file maintenance are controlled by…

Washington State University developed a comprehensive supplies inventory system and a generalized billing system with multiple users in mind. The inventory management system and the service center billing system are described. (Author/MLW)

Problems of the college or university that center around the people who use the institution's computers are examined. It is suggested that effective use of computers in higher education depends on how well the users and providers understand the constraints and problems of each information system. (Author/SF)

The development and implementation of an institutional framework to guide the management and use of information technologies (computing, office automation, and telecommunications) at Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta, are described. (Author/MLW)

A major change is underway at the University of Michigan as a new telecommunications network is being installed to become the central focus for information technology on the campus as voice communication, mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer installations all become part of the network. (MLW)

Administrative computing in higher education and its implications for the management of colleges and universities are explored. The evolution of administrative computing is traced from the use of minicomputers to the implementation of a management information system. (Author/SF)

Virginia Tech reorganized its computing and communications activities under a Vice President for Computing and Information Systems. Changes include integration of all voice and data communications activities. The mission, rationale, and goals for the Communications Network Services organization are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Working with users through an "information center" offers an alternative to formal application systems development, and the backlog of application development projects has made this approach attractive at many institutions. Guidelines used at Loyola University of Chicago are presented. (Author/MLW)

The Computer Center at the University of Northern Colorado provides service to the entire University community in all areas of instruction, research, student services, and administration. Administrative computer applications have all been developed by UNC staff, and most of the major administrative areas are operating online. (MLW)

The ways in which institutional characteristics affect the application and development of administrative information systems are discussed. A cybernetics model is proposed and principles are developed to assist university administrators in distinguishing institutional constraints from shortcomings in the information system. (SF)

The development of an inexpensive, effective information system at Cornell University is described. The change from an outdated student records and registration system is discussed as well as considerations that motivated Cornell to institute a less powerful and less technically attractive system. (SF)

Technological advances in nonproprietary software are discussed. Developments in general support of software and in computer hardware are examined. It is suggested that nonproprietary software is a resource that can save colleges and universities system development time and costs. (Author/SF)

For nearly a decade and a half, the California State University and Colleges has operated a distributed processing computing network with interconnected computer installations on all campuses. A new technologically advanced network that will deliver top-quality computing to students, faculty members, and administrators is described. (MLW)

USC reorganized computing administratively in early 1984. The university's financial accounting system was developed to provide better information to central administration, deans, and directors. USC is currently negotiating to install a digital telephone switch to handle voice and data communications on campus. (MLW)