Enterprise Information Technology Services Press Release
The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Thursday, June 21, 2006

WRITER: Bert DeSimone, 706/542-5110, bert@uga.edu
CONTACT: Kate Camfield, 706/425-3137, camfield@uga.edu

CIO and Associate Provost Dr. Barbara White keynote speaker at EDUCUASE Southeast Regional Conference

ATHENS, Ga.— UGA CIO and Associate Provost Dr. Barbara White was the closing keynote speaker at the EDUCAUSE Southeast Regional Conference 2006, held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 19-21. The theme of this year's conference was "Balancing Today with Tomorrow through Innovation, Collaboration, and Integration."

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The conference held in the Southeast is one of many regional United States and international conferences conducted by EDUCAUSE.

Dr. White's keynote address was entitled "Building Collaborations: The Challenges of Diplomacy." She believes that in the absence of diplomacy, engaging organizations in building collaborations may result in situations involving plotting, infighting, and retribution. Building collaborations mixes opinions, leadership styles, governance structures, committee participation, campus politics and power, and ceaseless debate. Understanding the interface of diplomacy and these challenges is key in garnering respect, participation, and a willingness to collaborate.

About EITS
Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS) is committed to providing information technology resources and services in support of the mission of the University of Georgia as articulated in the overarching strategic plan for the University. Under the leadership of the University's Chief Information Officer, EITS executes its mission via eight core initiatives: strategic planning and governance, instructional technology, research computing, client support, information security, outreach and partnerships, business operations and administrative applications, and infrastructure support. For more information, please visit the EITS Web site: www.eits.uga.edu.