Merit E-Rate Seminar: Interactive video locations now available

[Merit Network Professional Learning]

Merit Network is pleased to present "E-Rate Funding: A Strategic Asset 
for Institutional Goals," a one-day seminar on strategies for 
maximizing the benefits of the federal E-Rate program. The seminar will 
be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at the Michigan Information 
Technology Center in Ann Arbor. Full information and registration are 
available at:

  http://www.merit.edu/learning/erate

-------------------------------------
Just added: Interactive video options:
In addition to in-person attendance, options are available for 
attending via interactive videoconference in Marquette and Mt. 
Pleasant, and for sponsoring additional remote sites for local 
audiences. Read below for more details.
-------------------------------------

Now in its eleventh funding year, the federal E-Rate program has become 
an essential means of helping fund technology and telecommunications 
for schools and libraries. The September 23 seminar will focus on 
current best practices in E-Rate funding and compliance, emphasizing 
the strategic aspects of managing E-Rate funding over time. A series of 
presentations and discussions will provide expert-level information for 
professionals who manage and finance technology and telecommunications 
for schools and libraries.

This event will be of special interest to:

   * Technology coordinators at K-12 schools and public libraries
   * Business managers and financial officers for school
     districts, intermediate school districts, REMCs, libraries,
     and library cooperatives
   * Vendors participating in the E-Rate program

The agenda will include presentations by experts in the field; case 
studies from organizations that have made effective use of the E-Rate; 
examinations of particularly important technical and policy issues; and 
opportunities to discuss issues with the presenters and other attendees.

Featured speakers
-----------------
We are pleased to welcome as keynote speaker Dan Farslow, consultant 
for E-Rate Central, provider of consulting, compliance, and forms 
processing services to E-rate applicants and service providers. Dan was 
formerly E–Rate coordinator for the State of Ohio and program manager 
for E–Rate support and information at the eTech Ohio Commission.

Also appearing are:

   * Jeannene Hurley, E-Rate Coordinator for the Michigan
     Department of Education
   * Ricardo Tostado, Director, E-Rate/RHC, AT&T
   * Sue Mangiapane, Solutions Business Development Manager,
     Cisco Systems
   * Marie Zuk, Director, Educational Consulting, Convergent
     Techology Partners

Location, times and registration
--------------------------------
"E-Rate Funding: A Strategic Asset for Institutional Goals" will be 
held at the Michigan Information Technology Center in Ann Arbor, 1000 
Oakbrook Drive, Ann Arbor, on Tuesday, September 23. The agenda will 
begin with breakfast at 8:30 a.m., with presentations from 
approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registration for attendees from Merit Member organizations is $99. 
Persons not affiliated with a Merit Member organization are welcome to 
attend for $149. Registration include breakfast, lunch and refreshment 
breaks. Wireless Internet service is available in the seminar room.

Registration is available online, and payment can be made by credit 
card, check, or purchase order. Registration and more information about 
the seminar are available at:

  http://www.merit.edu/learning/erate


Individual attendance via videoconference
-----------------------------------------
Attendees may register to participate in the conference remotely at two 
Merit-provided videoconferencing centers. Registration is required; 
when registering, please be sure to select the correct option for the 
location you wish to attend. You may attend at the following locations:

 * Veterans Memorial Library
   301 S. University
   Mt. Pleasant, MI

 * Northern Michigan University
   Marquette, Michigan

Registrants will receive additional information about attending at 
these locations.


Organizational videoconference availability
-------------------------------------------
Organizations with H.323 videoconferencing capability may arrange to 
become a videoconference end point for this seminar. For a single fee 
of $400 you may have as many people as you wish attend the seminar at a 
location you provide. To initiate a connection, please contact 
learning@merit.edu. Connections are limited.

We are grateful to the Michigan Information Technology Center (MITC) in 
Ann Arbor for providing the facilities supporting the availability of 
this seminar by videoconference.


For more information about any aspect of this event, please contact 
learning@merit.edu

=========================================================

Other upcoming Professional Learning events:

MITE Forum Meeting
  September 24, Ann Arbor
  http://www.merit.edu/resources/mite

Fall MJTS meeting
  October 7, MSU Union, East Lansing
  http://www.merit.edu/learning/mjts

NANOG44
  October 12-15, Los Angeles, CA
  http://www.nanog.org/

Internet2 IPv4 Multicast Workshop
  Nov. 5-7, Ann Arbor
  http://www.merit.edu/learning/multicast

"Hands-on Network Security: Practical Tools and Methods"
  Nov. 10-11, Ann Arbor
  http://www.merit.edu/learning/securitytools


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