The ability of operating departments of an institution to mechanically gather, summarize, and report "local" data is discussed. Problems are outlined that arise when departments have the ability to produce data and do so with rigorous quality control by the institution's central information management organization. (MLW)

Discusses how data systems can be designed to serve not only operations but also higher-level management and planning with observations about information as a political as well as an administrative tool. (Editor/PG)

The use of management information systems (MIS) chargeback--the identification and allocation of MIS service costs to the end-user departments that have requested those services--is described. The objectives of chargeback, developing the chargeback approach, and implementation by the Georgia Power Company are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Two major Boston University computer installations--the Academic Computing Center and the office of University Information Systems--are described. Policies and priorities for information systems within the university are established by a committee and proposals for the development of new systems are approved through this committee. (MLW)

In order for these systems to be effective, attention must be paid to data sources, methodology used in collecting them, the value judgments they represent, and any conditions that might make data peculiar to a given situation and unusable in another. (Author/MBR)

The Information Exchange Procedures (IEP) developed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) are a set of standard definitions and procedures for collecting information about disciplines and student degree programs, outcomes of instructional programs, and general institutional characteristics. These definitions and…

The management systems office at the University of Hawaii assists in the development and operation of an effective management information systems service. A shared computer system approach was developed to provide service in the areas of office automation and data processing. (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)

Research administrators have been developing better and more efficient means of matching faculty with extramural research funding opportunities. Auburn University's search for a computer-based system that would match faculty interests with funding opportunities is described. (MLW)

This paper proposes construction of a separate data base environment for university planning information, distinct from data bases and systems supporting operational functioning and management. The data base would receive some of its input from the management information systems (MIS)/transactional data bases and systems through a process of…

Requests by external agencies for information about many facets of institutional operations and resources are examples of the complexity of higher education functions and societal demands. These requests are the result of uncertainty regarding external perception of tasks performed in higher education. (Author/MLW)

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point approach to implementing an ideal student records system is discussed. The characteristics of such a system are defined and a model for directing the development and implementation of a new student records system is presented. (Author/MLW)

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…

A decision support system integrates individuals' intellectual resources with computer capabilities to improve decision-making quality. This paper presents the theoretical aspects of decision making and decision support and shows how the theories can be applied in developing an operational management decision-making support system for room booking…

The West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing (WVNET) was formed in March 1975 and provides a full range of academic and administrative information processing services to fifteen State supported colleges and universities. This paper briefly reviews the purpose of, rationale for, and configuration of the network. Accomplishments and…