The stand-alone microprocessor is seen as one innovative tool that can be used both in the organizational management of decline and in meeting specific organizational needs such as those of the admissions director and staff. The term "microprocessor" is defined. (MLW)

The elements that contribute to the overall success of a computerized administrative system within the university environment are discussed. Some causes of failure, with particular emphasis on the socio/organizational causes, related to the traditional role of the systems analyst, are outlined. (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)

Administrators, faculty, and staff should have electronic access to records needed to perform their jobs, and students should have access to their own records--course registration and addresses. User-directed analysis and reporting are discussed and the security and audit issues are examined. (Author/MLW)

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 history and features of Decision Support Systems (DSS) and use of the approach by academic administrators are discussed. The objective of DSS is to involve the manager/decision maker in the decision-analysis process while simultaneously relieving that person of the burden of developing and performing detailed analysis. DSS represents a…

The use of management information systems (MIS) in higher education is discussed. It is suggested that the value of MIS in higher education is its potential utility in effective political position-building rather than conventional problem-solving. (BH)

Proceedings of a 1986 CAUSE conference on the impact of converging information technologies are presented. Topics of conference papers include: policy issues in higher education, planning and information technology, people issues in information technology, telecommunications/networking, special environments, microcomputer issues and applications,…

The politics of information on college campuses are seen in national, regional, and statewide concern with planning, management, and evaluation. Concepts, methods, and information-processing styles in each of these three institutional functions have been greatly influenced by political pressures in the past 15 years. (Author/MLW)

Reasons for distributed systems (DS) of planning and design for information services for colleges are discussed. The methodologies and approaches from industry and academe are contrasted to show how the process of DS can be effectively managed to meet a variety of institutional needs. DS represent a natural evolution of the historic development of…

The role of the university as a promoter and user of technology is discussed, along with the university's role as observer and critic of technology. Examples of how the university uses technology are provided, including registration, research, library operations, energy conservation, planning, and management. Questions that have been posed about…

Institutional policies are needed to guide the responsible use of data, especially in a decentralized operating environment. Factors that influence the development and implementation of policies for decentralized data use are explored. Data use, technological developments, and the needs and responsibilities of users and the institution must be…

Strategic decision-making as a part of the higher education planning process is becoming more dependent upon data elements external to the institution. The context in which postsecondary education takes place, the maturation of the planning function, and the challenge to management systems for postsecondary education are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Proprietary software available to the institutional researcher is discussed. It is suggested that as more institutions use proprietary software, the institutional researcher may find that varying levels of involvement in the process of evaluating and acquiring such software can result in the availability of more useful facilities. (Author/SF)

Advancements and trends in administrative computing are discussed and their implications for management are examined. Trends in software and hardware development as well as cost and capability are also investigated. Sources of information on computer development, including publications and organizations, are listed. (Author/SF)