A Gathering of State Networks 2005
February 8-10, 2005
Tempe, Arizona

Computer networks at the state level have provided services and leadership for public sector organizations for several decades. Some state network organizations predate the Internet and were integral contributors to its creation and development.

Today these networks continue to focus on serving nonprofit/public constituencies, including higher education, K–12 schools, libraries, and state and municipal governments. The missions of state networks vary and include providing connections services, supporting end users, training technical and professional personnel, and coordinating purchased services.

For several years, EDUCAUSE has hosted "A Gathering of State Networks," which focuses on state public sector research and education networks. This event continues as an annual activity of StateNets, a Net@EDU working group. This year's conference will provide leaders with an opportunity to share perspectives on the current status and plans of state networks, obtain information on the various models and approaches being employed throughout the states, and discuss common challenges and opportunities to work together through StateNets, the national association of state education networks.

Conference Agenda

Tuesday, February 08, 2005
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Leadership Development in State Networking Initiatives

• Shaun Abshere, Associate Director, WiscNet

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
CEO Group

• David A. King, Interim Associate Provost, Oregon State University
• William A. Mitchell, Executive Director, Great Plains Network

Marketing/Communications Group

• Andrea Deau, Manager, Academic Technology & Support, Madison Area Technical College

Security Group

• Timothy Lance, President and Chairman, NYSERNet, Inc.
• Michael A. Petersen, UEN Executive Director, Utah Education Network

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Reception - sponsored by ADVA Optical

Wednesday, February 09, 2005
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - Welcome and Introductions

• David A. King, Interim Associate Provost, Oregon State University
• William A. Mitchell, Executive Director, Great Plains Network

8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Leadership and Innovation in Information Technology

• Richard N. Katz, Consultant

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Marketing and Communication Task Force Group Update

• Andrea Deau, Manager, Academic Technology & Support, Madison Area Technical College
• Bill Kucera, Public Information Manager, University of Utah
• Nancy Piringer, MOREnet Program Manager, Higher Education, University of Missouri System

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - State Reports

• Hal Gardner, Kan-ed Executive Director, KAN-ED
• Douglas A. Heacock, Executive Director, KanREN, Inc.
• William A. Mitchell, Executive Director, Great Plains Network
• Michael A. Petersen, UEN Executive Director, Utah Education Network
• Kevin Siminski, Director of Operations, Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS)
• James E. Williams, Abbot and Oracle, LEARN - Lonestar Education and Research Network

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Revisiting the Telecom Act and USF/E-Rate Reform

• Cynthia Schultz, Director of Service Provider Support, Universal Service Administrative Company

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Security Issues

• Troy Jessup, Network Security Manager, Utah Education Network
• Keith Krueger, CEO, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Regional Optical Networks

• David A. King, Interim Associate Provost, Oregon State University
• Timothy Lance, President and Chairman, NYSERNet, Inc.
• Linda Roos, Sr Program Manager, FiberCo, Internet2

3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Break
4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. - Internet2 Update

• Heather Boyles, Director, International Relations, Internet2
• Heather Bruning, Program Manager, Network Services, Internet2

4:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - State Reports (continued)

• Bob Collie, CTO, ENA (Education Networks of America)
• John T. Killebrew, VP-NCREN Community Support, MCNC
• Michael R. McPherson, Associate VP and Deputy CIO, University of Virginia
• Kurt A. Snodgrass, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, National LambdaRail

Thursday, February 10, 2005
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - External Performance Measurements

• Mary Crave, Program Development & Evaluation Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• William Elder, Director, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis, University of Missouri
• Jan Middendorf, Assistant Director, Office of Education Innovation, Kansas State University
• Eldon Rightmeier, Kan-ed Director of Technical Operations and Planning, Kansas Board of Regents
• Cynthia A. Shuman, Research Assistant Professor, Kansas State University
• Craig Stephenson, Enterprise Services Developer, WiscNet

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Break
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Expanding Your Network using Wireless Technology

• David A. King, Interim Associate Provost, Oregon State University
• H. O'Neal Smitherman, Vice President for Information Technology, Ball State University

12:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Conference Adjourns