This paper examines the proposition that management information systems (MIS) for colleges and universities are not achieving their original objectives of supporting better management decisions by providing more and better information in a more timely manner. As a consequence, the MIS activity should be reduced in scope, and standardized to achieve lower costs. The resources that are released can better be used to sustain institutional viability. The basic theses set forth are: (1) MIS is a good idea, but ahead of its time; (2) MIS was a solution for a little understood problem; (3) colleges and universities are not time-dependent like business; (4) "better management" should not be confused with policy decisions; (5) MIS was a help for yesterday's centralized planning; (6) information collected and stored has no value unless used; (7) it's never too late for a comprehensive organizational analysis; (8) standardization of common operating procedures on a national basis is one route to lower campus information costs; (9) whether orderly or chaotic, retrenchment will occur. (Author)