EDUCAUSE 2001

The conference has provided me with a sharper focus and a broader, richer context, for enhancing the effective use of technology to further the core mission of the university as a citadel of learning, and as the hub of mutually reinforcing learning communities. . The plenary sessions, the various tracks, the poster sessions, and the professional interactions were very enriching. I would like to comment briefly on two related presentations. Dr. Neil Gershenfeld's (Professor of Physics, MIT: Things That Think) call to take the information out of the computers into the world of name, form and social function resonates in every cell of my body. Dr. John Seely Brown's (Chief Scientist, Xerox, and Palo Alto Research Center: The Social Life of Information) assertion that Moore's law of progress in the speed of computing is far less relevant than the fourth dimensional community law of the internet, helps to anchor technology in the vision of industrious, inclusive, interactive and hence prosperous, blissful communities dotting the whole globe, giving new meaning and wholly new interpretation to the "dot.com" moniker. The learned, witty and profoundly prescient professor from MIT hinted at the potential of IT to promote cooperation, co-evolution and healing, while engendering creativity, healthy competition, and preserving cultural and genetic variety. When the world is polarized into haves and have-nots, the have-nots see violence as a way of redressing their situation; but when the world is divided into knows and know-nots, force appears less and less capable of bringing about desired results, compared to negotiation and cooperation. In this scenario, IT serves the dual functions of empowering the individual through illumination and self-discovery, and, promoting socially constructive behaviors leading to responsible symbiotic communities that think, learn and regenerate.

Many awards were given at the conference, recognizing excellence, creativity, leadership and service. The schools that were recognized are modest in size and accomplishments. Their unique strength may have been their focus and passion to serve the stakeholders better. I would like us to set a goal of winning an EDUCAUSE award for creative and socially redeeming project programming in our community driven by university’s mission, supported by IT, in three years. In addition to the big prize, the process will have its own intrinsic rewards, harnessing university’s considerable extant and latent resources in addition to the big prize, and could help to embed IT in the university's value chain much deeper, and more permanently in its consciousness. Perhaps, Ed Chapel would set the ball rolling by inviting competitive proposals from all the schools in the university, and then choosing the best one in which everybody, including our students can participate.

The managers and staff of IT division at MSU spared no efforts to ensure that we were comfortable. I was touched by solicitous inquiries about my food and comfort. The arrangements were par excellence. My hats off to Ed Chapel and Roy Roper for a great show. Susan Graham worked tirelessly attending to every detail and every participant. I know that IT function at MSU is in the capable hands of good friends, including Ed Chapel, Roy, Peter, Shunfa, Brigitte, Patty, Mary, Susan, Minto, Jeff, Roger, Ed Buscavage, just to name a few. Best wishes to our IT colleagues.