Educause, wrapping up in Boulder.

Back again from another fun filled day of Educause. Today was the longest day out of the set. But it was also the best, I feel, over all. All general sessions today, but they expanded the main room so there was less crowding.

Man, we covered so much today it's difficult to remember it all. The first session was a general one on communication. Items like handling the 'Yes ands...' and 'Yes buts...' which plague management. Well, and plague people in general nowadays...just say yes or no for heaven's sake.

We next moved onto a discussion on the future of IT in higher education. Both promising and challenging at the same time, but that's to be expected. I found this one a bit disjoined though, and I think part of that has to do with some of the preachiness.

The general disdain that came across with respect to colleges being expected to produce economic impact was a bit surprising. You'd think in an era where one of the biggest problems facing universities is their self-created 'ivory tower' mentality, they'd strive to avoid it.

You shouldn't demand exemptions from budgetary considerations when making critiques of budgetary processes. Ultimately schools serve the citizenry, and if legislatures feel safe to cut their funding this means that legislators feel safe in doing so. And that only happens when the average Joe no longer values colleges...which comes out of the 'ivory tower' school of PR.

After lunch we came back to work on career building. To be honest, I've never much planned my career. Which might explain how much of it's currently unmet.

But I've gotten better lately and the tools presented here will help immensely.

After the career planning one we went into a session about effective teamwork. I can't give details without spoiling things, but this was an amazing seminar. The best of the Institute, imnho. I gained some valuable material that will be of immense value later this quarter.

At once my OCs should be very happy and quite scared.

After that session we spent well over an hour working on our team presentation. That's my team, Green Team, the best one of the Institute. From left to right that's Scott, Joan, Alan, Kathy, Melissa, Ginny, and Joe. I'm hiding behind the camera, naturally.

My contacts here, although not as developed as they could be if I was more energetic, will still be quite useful as I cultivate them through time. Plus, these are very good people whom I'm glad to have met. Our presentation should be cool tomorrow, and I may post video if it doesn't embarrass Scott too much. :)

I wrap up tonight with another picture of the Flatirons. I want to come back to Boulder and hike up there somepoint. Hopefully with some close and/or special friends, and maybe in about 100 pounds.

Boulder has breathtaking scenery and is worth the visit, although I think they've let their 'free spirit' situation dilute their potential.

C'est la vie. Tomorrow's the final formal day of the Institute, we'll have fun.