Discussed are the ways in which modern data analysis can increase understanding of complex interrelationships in natural and manmade systems, thus enhancing the rationality of decision-making. Examples are given of predictions made from economic and ecological models. The need for international cooperation on environmental questions is discussed…

The University System of Georgia Computer Network serves 33 colleges and universities throughout the state. It provides low cost computing services to meet research, education and instructional needs of students, faculty and administrators. Computers used and the general administrative structure are noted. (SF)

More emphasis should be placed on "human factors" in the management information systems (MIS). They should be tailored to their users--the administrators, faculty, and students. Easy communication with an information system is a basic necessity, just as is the ability to get simpler answers to the most complex questions. All levels of…

At Clemson University, requests from individual departments for specialized data processing services are increasing. Avenues taken by the division of administrative programing services to respond to department requests include: expanding availability of existing data retrieval and restricting new development to areas of general use by all…

A project management system for organizing requests from multiple departments and controlling the workload of the development/maintenance computer staff is described. Practical solutions to deciding project priorities, determining time estimates, creating positive peer pressure among programing staff, and formalizing information requests are…

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)

The Pendleton Computer Science Center of Pepperdine University is described. Computer services provided through University Information Services include management information and technical expertise for design, implementation and operation of the system. Business and academic applications of the computer facilities are also discussed. (SF)

Establishing the computerized information needs of a college development office involves defining the reporting needs, understanding the concept and content of structured files, defining the data elements to be included in those files, and outlining the potentially useful applications of the information and programs. (MSE)

Administrative computing in higher education and its implications for the management of colleges and universities are explored. The evolution of administrative computing is traced from the use of minicomputers to the implementation of a management information system. (Author/SF)

Proceedings include: opening remarks (F.J. Willett); a vice-chancellor's needs for management information services (R.W. Russell); the needs of a science dean for information (K.C. Westfold); the perceived needs for management information services from the point of view of a university administrator (R. Marginson); the role of the systems manager…

Requests to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for postsecondary education data were analyzed and compared to previously identified issues. Summaries of telephone requests (log entries) and files of letter requests from January 1977 through December 1977 were studied. A single coding scheme was developed for both letter and phone…

Arguments for and against decentralization of data management, analysis, and planning systems are presented. It is suggested that technological advances have encouraged decentralization. Caution in this direction is urged and the development of an articulated decentralization program is proposed. (SF)

The ways in which institutional characteristics affect the application and development of administrative information systems are discussed. A cybernetics model is proposed and principles are developed to assist university administrators in distinguishing institutional constraints from shortcomings in the information system. (SF)

The use of a data base management system (DBMS) as opposed to traditional data processing is discussed. The generalized file concept is viewed as an entry level step to the DBMS. The transition process from one system to the other is detailed. (SF)

Construction of a separate data base for university planning information is proposed. Characteristics of a planning system and its relationship to other university systems are discussed as well as the need for data bases that contain both quantitative and nonquantitative information. (BH)