Six steps in creating a master plan for the institutional computing system include: describing a mission for computing technology, establishing program objectives, matching the technology to the objectives, prioritizing alternative approaches, developing alternative approaches, and selecting the preferred approach. (MSE)

Risks to institutional data processing operations include physical damage, violations of data integrity, and restrictions of physical access. Development of a responsive and effective disaster recovery program is complex, requires significant effort and the use of specialized personnel, and spans all major disciplines and organizational levels.…

A project to implement an integrated data system at the four-campus University of Missouri is described. Analytical processing is discussed as it relates to executive decision-making support. It is noted that understanding of specific institutional circumstances and timely delivery of supporting information are critical to system effectiveness.…

An effort to enhance quality and efficiency at the University of Florida was designed to produce quick results without involving many employees and focused on the accounts payable department. Flowcharting identified inefficiencies and pinpointed opportunities for improvement in labor-intensive processes, mailings, check registers, reports,…

The key issue for management of campuswide information systems in higher education is content management: selecting what to include, organizing it, labeling items meaningfully, keeping content up-to-date, and presenting information in a useful way. Information technologists, librarians, and information providers on campus can all contribute to…

University administrative data processing is moving toward a more distributed environment. An architecture must be established that incorporates central sites, campus centers, and end users in a networked pool of computer systems, with applications located at appropriate nodes in the network. (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)

An overview is provided of the methods used by the Forest Park campus of St. Louis Community College (SLCC) to plan and develop a local area network (LAN) for administrative microcomputers. The first three sections provide brief descriptions of the SLCC District, SLCC, and the Forest Park campus. Section IV looks at the organization of…

Uses of personal computers, or microcomputers (micros), by college business offices are discussed, with attention to safeguards. An advantage of using micros is that business officers can develop their own applications with purchased software and need not depend on the data processing staff. The micros, which are located in the business office and…

Copyright issues are discussed in the context of expanding use of digital media for publication and dissemination of information. Issues reviewed include conflict of academic values and copyright, the challenge of copyright protection for digital works, and the applicable law. Several scenarios illustrate specific legal problems. (MSE)

The University of Rochester's experience with online analytical processing (OLAP), part of its executive information system, is reported. The server, a multiuser, local area network (LAN)-based database loaded from legacy systems or a data warehouse, can rapidly manipulate and display data, and allows quick creation and changing of analytical…

To increase the value of administrative information for universitywide decision making, the office of institutional research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has undertaken a project to standardize data elements and codes across all administrative systems and institutionalize an ongoing standardization process. (Author/MSE)

The academic computing office at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center implemented a campuswide system for information dissemination. The system has since been tied into a worldwide system. The evolution of the system is described, including selection and adoption of procedures, staffing, and development of publishing tools. (MSE)

Important steps in the computing administrator selection process are outlined, including: reviewing the administrative computing organization, determining a search methodology, selecting a search or screening committee, narrowing the candidate pool, scheduling interviews and evaluating candidates, and conducting negotiations. (MSE)

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…