The design concept and initial development phases of academic information management (AIM) are discussed. The AIM concept is an attempt to serve three segments of academic management with data and models to support decision making. AIM is concerned with management and evaluation of instructional computing in areas other than direct computing (data processing/computer science), the networked and comprehensive development of classroom support systems, and cost-centered models with a focus on revenues and expenses. The initial effort will be the development of cost-centered models for decision support. This segment of AIM will be used by cost center managers at all levels to plan and evaluate resource allocation as well as to determine the effect of the cost center's operation. The first step is to identify the data elements that are needed (the general framework for the models), while the second step is the creation of the database. Micro-based models for decision support will also be developed. Advantages include the following: managers will have maximum decision support available with a minimal level of computer expertise required. Information management in business and industry is discussed as background. (Author/SW)