The installation of 275 microcomputers in 34 academic departments over 18 months at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is discussed. This undertaking by the Provost's Office of the College of Letters and Science was designed to enhance faculty productivity by increasing access to computing, and to enhance administrative support to chairpersons and faculty by automating recordkeeping and word processing at the departmental level. The implementation process involved development of a decentralized computing philosophy, the decision to utilize microcomputers, the phased implementation of hardware, and provision of user support services. Attention is also directed to 10 consequences of the implementation that might interest other universities: (1) computer literacy enhanced productivity, (2) standardizing microcomputer hardware throughout the college had both positive and negative outcomes; (3) microcomputers facilitated faculty independence; (4) real-time computing changed expectations; (5) user support was necessary but expensive; (6) microcomputers became status symbols; (7) shared use by faculty was ineffective; (8) centralized computing was adversely affected; (9) interdepartmental communication was improved; and (10) the benefits exceeded the costs. (SW)