Issues surrounding the cost of Internet usage to individuals and institutions are addressed, including who currently pays for Internet use in colleges and universities, long-distance costs, how policy is set for institutional use, cost of transition to a larger system, and difficult issues to be faced in system expansion. (MSE)

Virginia Tech's microcomputer policy is examined and how that policy dictates university procedures and practices for successful microcomputer programs is discussed. Microcomputer policy, software, approval, support schedule for planning and implementing the program and program evaluation are discussed. (MLW)

A key issue in redesigning college and university business processes is whether new processes should be enabled by information systems that focus on them or share highly integrated data and common methods with older processes. An approach used at the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) that entailed reorganization, reorientation, and retooling is…

A discussion of Executive Information Systems, the newest decision-support computer application for organizations, argues that this approach could profoundly change how colleges and universities are managed. Using graphics, icons, and mainframe data retrieval software, middle management can handle large quantities of information. Proven design…

The experience of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in adopting a cost-recovery strategy for systems development is described, providing information of use to all managers. Issues addressed include establishing revenue goals, marketing and promotion, contracting with clients, and time accounting and billing. (Author/MSE)

Through integration of administrative information systems across diverse technology platforms and opening access to institutional data, Indiana University has begun to expand the concept of academic information systems. The university's experience has resulted in conclusions and guidelines for other institutions to use in AIS planning and…

A description of the recent development of Florida State University's administrative information services looks at the role of faculty input, the strategic plan, underlying administrative principles and considerations, networking and telecommunications, integration of instructional and research computing, and centralization of computing service…

There is substantial variation in college and university computing and communications structures, budgeting and charge policies, and planning efforts, but little systematic research concerning whether these structures, policies, and plans have impact on outcomes such as access and use of computing facilities by faculty, staff, and students. A 1994…

Colleges and universities are initiating data warehouse projects to provide integrated information for planning and reporting purposes. A survey of 40 institutions with active data warehouse projects reveals the kinds of tools, contents, data cycles, and access currently used. Essential elements of an integrated information architecture are…

The decision process followed by Allegheny College that led to the choice of WATSTAR as the software/hardware combination for the first step in a campuswide networking project is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Results of an experiment at Stanford University in which terminals were placed on the desks of principal officers, including the president and five vice presidents, is described. A computer-based electronic message system was made available to this group. (MLW)

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…

Babson College (Massachusetts) responded to expanded campus computer use and resulting demand for support services by developing service delivery tailored to user groups' needs. Resources devoted to this effort have grown dramatically, and include help desk and dispatch support, program of technology specialists, evening support to residence…

The approach used by the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) in designing a campus-wide information architecture and a framework for reengineering the business process included building consensus on a general philosophy for information systems, using pattern-based abstraction techniques, applying data modeling and application prototyping, and…

The information division at Cornell University (New York) information resources division has determined that its traditional program development method is inadequate to meet the demographic, fiscal, and technological demands of the 1990s. It is changing its systems analysis and design procedures to deliver applications better, faster, and with…