The process and experiences associated with strategic planning in a recently decentralized administrative information systems environment are described. Background information on why Virginia Commonwealth University decentralized the authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of administrative information services to major…

Discusses the national archives of Zimbabwe, the legislation that has directed the collection and use of the archives, the value of colonial archives in the educational process, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the formation of national policy. (CLB)

Discusses the origins, legislative basis, content, and impact of a policy directive which prescribes a general framework for developing uniform and consistent federal information resources management policies. (Author/CLB)

Reports results of a survey of university film libraries and educational film companies that examined the impact of new technologies on their operations. The discussion covers trends toward 1/2-inch video, automation of processes, a shift toward an on-campus focus, and the impact of copyrights and funding on organizational policies. (CLB)

Describes a project that simulated the impact of three scenarios on health care patterns and the health situation of elderly people in the Netherlands. The discussion covers the utilization of outcomes by policymakers and future applications of simulations by scenario projects. (41 notes with references) (CLB)

Describes the information policy framework prescribed by OMB Circular No. A-130, which introduces the distinction between access to information and information dissemination. The discussion covers the use of electronic collection and dissemination of government information, together with the need to safeguard privacy and public access to…

Discusses the results of two surveys assessing the medical and psychiatric needs of the homeless in San Francisco. Describes a program designed to meet the needs of this population, advocating further programmatic and policy considerations to respond to the problem of homelessness. (Author/KS)

Traces the historical background of the machine readable records program of the National Archives of Canada. The systems overview approach used to appraise records is discussed, including content and technical analyses, and the processing and dissemination activities of the program are described. (CLB)

Decisions that need to be made when preparing for labor agreements are outlined including philosophical approach (policy); legal framework (varies between states and between public and private); organizing, unit determination, and election activity decisions; bargaining activity decisions; and contract administration and renegotiation decisions.…

College and university administrators and trustees have an obligation to maximize the return on all available resources consistent with law and with prudent conduct. Assessing and minimizing risk is an essential component of developing a creative financing program. (MLW)

The reasons for writing or not writing statements of editorial mission, goals, and policy are discussed. The editors of two commercial-magazines that don't have a written editorial policy discuss why. (MLW)

Describes a methodology which analyzes courses described in university catalogs in order to produce a database used in the compilation of a collection development policy statement. Each step of the analysis is described, and tables are used to track sample data through the entire process. (CLB)

Research findings have been used by states to formulate legislation to increase child passenger safety. Case studies from Kansas and Illinois are presented. The process is most successful when researchers are sensitive to the policy making process. The implications for the use of psychological research findings are discussed. (VM)

A policy statement prepared by a joint committee of the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges about retirement plans and plans for insurance benefits for faculty members and administrators is presented. (MLW)

The estimation of a comprehensive model describing student perceptions of college quality permits the determination of the relative importance of the influences that affect these perceptions. This knowledge is instrumental for directing efforts toward improving perceptions and for evaluating the effectiveness of changes in recruitment practices.…