Designed to examine the academic computing programs of six liberal arts colleges that received funding from the Exxon Education Foundation for introducing or expanding academic computing between 1981 and 1983, this report first describes each college's program proposals. It then examines the progress of the colleges to date on their projects and their perceptions of success. In addition to these originally specified objectives, the report discusses common resources the colleges needed to support academic computing. The computer initiatives of the six institutions fall into three categories: (1) software development for particular courses at Smith College and Swarthmore College; (2) faculty development projects at Colby College and Hamline University; and (3) broad-based projects for enhancing computing resources and applications at Marymount College and Wells College. Four resources that played a central role in the success of the projects are discussed: money, time, knowledge, and a supportive environment. Finally, several conceptual frameworks are described that help to explain the evolution of academic computing at the colleges. The conclusion briefly presents some practical implications for colleges as they plan and/or expand their computing efforts and identifies several possible theoretical approaches to the study of academic computing initiatives. Descriptive case studies of the academic computing programs at the six individual institutions are appended. (JB)