This ERIC Digest examines some of the trends and issues in academic information systems design and describes the policies of several universities that are taking creative advantage of these systems as educational tools. The current emphasis on microcomputers in campus information networks instead of terminals connected to a mainframe computer is discussed and the characteristics of such networks are described, including widespread coverage, wide variety of uses, distributed control, security, multimedia capability, integrated software, adaptability and expandability, and reliability. Issues involved in the planning and implementation of the integrated information network are then discussed, and the features of such systems are listed for five colleges and universities that have made major commitments to the concept of the information network. (13 references) (EW)