EDUCAUSE Southwest Regional Conference 2005  

Join us in Austin for the EDUCAUSE Southwest Regional Conference, February 16-18, 2005. This year's theme is "Technology in Support of the Academy." Whether your focus is administrative services, information resources, teaching and learning, technology infrastructure, or management within higher education, you will find opportunities to learn, share, and connect with others in your field and from your part of the country.

At the center of the conference are practical "how to" sessions that offer valuable, region-specific information and ideas to help you manage and lead IT at your institution. Join us for preconference seminars on the morning of February 16th and the full conference program February 16-18. The sessions follow four key tracks:

• Emerging Technology and Security Issues
• IT, Learning, and Teaching: What Works?
• Leadership Development
• Corporate Presentations

Enjoy the weekend before or after the conference in Austin — you'll find plenty to see and do. The Omni is located downtown near fabulous restaurants and offers easy access to some of the brightest music venues. Enjoy a stroll along Town Lake, a tour of the new Texas State History Museum, or an evening of bat watching (the largest urban bat colony in the world roosts in Austin).

Keynote Speakers

From a Different Perspective

Diana G. Oblinger, Vice President, EDUCAUSE
Information technology continues to change the way we work, live, and learn. As we strive to create effective learning environments, we need to understand how learners are changing too. The learning styles, attitudes, and approaches of today's high school students differ from those of 18-to-22-year-old college students as well adult learners. What are those differences, and what are the implications for higher education? Session details >>

Essential Elements for Information Security: From Governance to Operations  

Sean Ensz, IT Security Analyst, University of Oklahoma
Richard M. Rhodes, President, El Paso Community College
Elizabeth A. Unger, Vice Provost, Academic Services & Technology & Dean of Continuing Education, Kansas State University
Moderated by Daniel A. Updegrove, Vice President for Information Technology, University of Texas at Austin
Effective management of information security in colleges and universities typically involves reaching into all areas of the institution with special attention to critical assets and operational functions. Consequently, coordination and close collaboration among board members, executive managers, and IT security staff is essential. This panel will explore best practices and the necessary collaborations in the areas of policy and governance, management and operations, and technical controls that support a comprehensive information security program. Session details >>