2004 director's message

 

welcome to Texas Tech University

On behalf of the TTU President, Dr. Jon Whitmore, and the Vice President for Operations, Max Hinojosa, I would like to welcome all of our National Collegiate CADD Conference friends to NCCC 2004 at Texas Tech University. Because this is the first time in its 15-year history that the NCCC is convening in the southwestern United States, we want to extend a special invitation for you to experience the unique flavor of West Texas when you visit us in Lubbock, the “Hub of the High Plains.”

If the NCCC is new to you, be sure to check the website for the history of the NCCC and past conference sites. If you are well familiar with the NCCC, check the website to appreciate the work that officers and volunteers have put into the site this year.

We are particularly pleased to have this opportunity to host the conference this year in appreciation of all the help we have received since we first attended NCCC 2000. At that time, we had just made the decision to migrate our planning maps and design drawings into the digital environment. We still consider ourselves among the newcomers in the NCCC and are pleased to have this opportunity to share our experiences with you firsthand.

At NCCC 2003, we introduced our GIS prototype and invited everyone to watch it develop. We are completing the second phase of programming for the TTU Operations Division Geographic Information System. This is very much a work in progress, not a finished product. Again, this year, we invite you to check on the site from time to time to watch it change. Check us out at http://www.operations.ttu.edu/operationsgis/Login_GIS.aspx
We hope you enjoy watching our progress. We have a list of improvements to make. Please forward your suggestions for additional improvements or bring them with you to the conference.

 

about the conference

As in the past, the 2004 edition of the NCCC will provide a unique opportunity for the sharing of information and experience among those people who have the responsibility for developing and operating the computer systems used to help manage their institutions’ buildings and other campus facilities. In response to a growing population enrolled in educational institutions and continuing budget constraints, this year’s conference will focus on cost-effective Computer-Aided Design and Drawing (CADD), Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM), and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.

We have been encouraged to offer three tracks or program orientations in our scheduling: (1) Programs for experienced CADD, CAFM, and GIS users; (2) programs for people and institutions just beginning to use these tools; and (3) programs for administrators who want to know more about the tools available to help manage their academic facilities.

  1. For experienced users, we will offer presentations and roundtable discussions on web-based systems, system security, and systems integration. As usual, we will offer information on new products. We are asking vendors to emphasize case studies where possible—examples of hardware and software products at work, managing academic environments.
  2. For those who are considering or are just beginning to use these tools, we will offer programs suggesting how to get started. In particular, those who have gone through the process will offer suggestions on how to avoid “reinventing the wheel” and on how to anticipate the future uses of digital maps and drawings.
  3. For administrators, the conference offers an opportunity to see the variety of CADD, CAFM, and GIS tools other institutions have found to be useful and cost effective.
    Remember to bring a T-shirt for the traditional T-shirt exchange at the end of the conference. All who want to participate bring T-shirts from their institution to exchange for a shirt from another conference attendee.

 

pre-conference and post-conference, activities

Be sure to check the schedule for pre-conference and post-conference training programs and special interest group meetings. In keeping with our emphasis on cost-effective implementation, the training and accompanying software is being offered to conference attendees exclusively and at substantially discounted cost. If you or others at your institution use or are interested in using these programs, be sure to check out these opportunities.

We have also had requests for special interest group meetings to be held in conjunction with the conference. Be sure to check the schedule for these events. If you would like to call a meeting among conference attendees, be sure to let us know if we can help make arrangements at the conference site or at the host hotel.

In addition to the conference meetings, we are providing you with samples of West Texas in our evening activities. Visit the links on the agenda page to the sites of our evening activities but also visit the links to other Lubbock points of interest. The host hotel will make its conference rates available from the weekend before the conference through the weekend after the conference. We encourage you to come early and stay late.

Of particular interest to golfers, thanks to the support of a sponsor, all conference attendees will be given a coupon to play our new Rawls Golf Course at half price. To accommodate your conference schedule, you may play any day from the weekend before the conference through the weekend after the conference.

 

about Lubbock

For those of you not familiar with our part of the country, we are called the “high plains” because we are at an elevation of 3,200 feet above sea level. This means we enjoy a low humidity, semi-arid, typically “western” climate. It may be hot in August—after all, this is Texas. Sun-block lotions are in order. However, there is likely to be a constant breeze on even the hottest days, and night-time temperatures are routinely 25 degrees cooler than the day-time highs. Temperature changes of 35 degrees are not uncommon. Be sure to bring a light sweater or windbreaker for evening activities, just in case.

 

on-campus personal parking

A conference parking pass will be accepted in the United Spirit Arena parking lot. The University has a "reserved" and "area-reserved" parking system. If you are directed to park in an "area-reserved" space, please do not park in a "reserved" space. You may inconvenience and employee (and get your car towed). Handicapped parking is clearly marked and rigidly enforced.

 

My proofreaders have noted I resisted the temptation to welcome "all y'all" to West Texas. Despite that omission on my part, we are looking forward to your visit.

Art Glick
Director, NCCC 2004