The demand for decision-support systems (DSSs) at the University of Hartford and the use of current software systems based on an information center approach are discussed. It is noted that declining enrollment demand and financial stress in tuition and enrollment-dependent universities requires a flexible and dynamic DSS for effective planning and management. The concepts of DSSs and the information center are reviewed, along with the characteristics of fourth-generation software systems. Contrasts are made between application-development strategies employed at the University of Hartford for on-line transaction processing and for decision support. Attention is directed to database management on the IBM mainframe. Applications that were designed and implemented by the Office of Planning and Institutional Research using fourth-generation systems software are discussed. The system of application development for decision support is described as a user-friendly structure of menus and screens that enables users to create and maintain a database and generate reports without programming. Finally, goals and plans are outlined for the development of a more comprehensive DSS at the university in 1984-1985. (SW)