EDUCAUSE Reloaded*

By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor

The EDUCAUSE 2003 Annual Conference is over. It appears that it was quite successful and had many thought-provoking, timely presentations. Dr. Maurice Leatherbury, Executive Director of Information Technology and Academic Computing, attended this year. The General Session Panel was "Peer-to-Peer File Sharing: Looking for Win-Win Solutions," and the Moderator was  Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent, National Public Radio. Panelists were Charles Phelps, Provost, University of Rochester; Cary Sherman, President and General Counsel, Recording Industry Association of America; Graham B. Spanier, President, The Pennsylvania State University; Jack Valenti, President and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America. You can view/listen to this session by clicking here and then clicking on the Real Media button at the bottom of the page.

Participate As a Presenter

Play an active part in the leading higher education administrative technology conference—submit a presentation proposal for CUMREC. The 2004 event, "Spicing Up Technology," will be held May 16–19 in Austin, Texas (note correction in dates).

The deadline for submissions is December 5, 2003. Submit your proposal online today.

How You Can Benefit from Presenting

Just as you may have benefited from your colleagues' knowledge at an EDUCAUSE event, you have the potential to enrich others by giving a presentation at the conference. Presenting offers perks for you, too:

• Help create an innovative and informative program
• Gain recognition
• Spotlight your institution's achievements
• Make valuable contacts
• Hone your public speaking skills
• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Facilitate progress in the academic community

Contribute Your Expertise to One of These Program Tracks

• Applications Development and Case Studies
• Access to Information—Policy and Solutions
• Building Effective Partnerships
• Directions for Higher Education and Information Technology
• Leadership and Management
• Technical Infrastructure and Security
• Web Services
• Corporate Presentations
• View track descriptions

Special Grant and Award for Eligible CUMREC Presenters

If your conference proposal is accepted and you are a first-time presenter at CUMREC, you will automatically be considered for the New Horizon Grant, an initiative of the CUMREC Board of Directors to improve the diversity and quality of the CUMREC program. The grant consists of a complimentary registration to the current conference plus a stipend of $600. No special application is required.

In addition, each year CUMREC presents the Best Presentation Award, based on evaluations submitted by conference attendees. It includes a complimentary registration and cash award. The award is based on evaluations submitted by conference attendees.

Related Opportunity

If your proposal addresses an effective technology-related practice or solution implemented on your campus, submit your presentation content to the Effective Practices and Solutions database.

It is still too late for you to submit a presentation proposal, however it is not too late to start making plans to attend the next EDUCAUSE Southwest Regional Conference. According to the conference Website, a focal point of the conference will be practical "how to" sessions that will emphasize ways to save time, effort, and money while maintaining  important services and without burning out talented staff.

Sessions will follow four key tracks:

• Leadership and Management Skills

• Teaching, Learning, and Support

• Technology and Solutions

• Corporate Presentations

Prior to the sessions, pre-conference seminars will be held on the morning of February 25.

*  Are you beginning to notice a theme/trend here? -- ED.