On Thursday at Educause, Jeff Overholtzer (Washington and Lee University) and I gave a presentation titled How Much Infrastructure is Enough? Our third presenter, Dave Smallen from Hamilton College, was called away unexpectedly, but Jeff and I carried on.
In our talk, we shared strategies for coping with the demand for increased hardware and software, and described policies and procedures that help create an equitable process for meeting campus needs. Specific to Wabash, I discussed our process of leasing computers and other hardware devices; our off-lease computer use policy; our procedures for replacing computers; and the role IT Services and our technology advisory committee play in assessing additions to the campus infrastructure.
If you are interested in learning more, our powerpoint is available online.
Following our talk, the conference wrapped up with a final keynote address by Georgia Nugent, president of Kenyon College. It was interesting to hear her perspective on technology, given the similarities between Kenyon and Wabash. In her talk, titled The Tower of Google, Dr. Nugent spoke of the importance all campus constituencies—faculty, students, staff, administrators, perspective students, alumni—to find a common language to discuss technology issues, as well of the need to ensure that technology initiatives were closely tied to the college’s mission. Worthy goals indeed.
Following the conference, I had some time to walk through Pioneer Plaza, the largest public outdoor space in Dallas and just outside the convention center. The shuttle bus from the hotel drove by the park every day, and I was glad to find some time to check out this amazing space. The park depicts a cattle drive, with three bronze cowboys on horses herding 40 or so bronze cattle down a hill and across a stream.
I also took a quick trip to the Nasher Sculpture Center. The Center features several indoor galleries and an outdoor “sculpture garden”. It was quite an interesting space, and well worth the trip. Check my photo album from from Nasher Sculpture Center and Pioneer Plaza for a look at both places.
