Note upcoming Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning conferences Several upcoming conferences provide faculty with an interest in instructional and faculty development an opportunity to hear new ideas and/or present some of their work. The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning (www.collab.org/) hosts two major conferences yearly (in November and February in Bloomington, Minn.) that feature keynote speakers of national and international renown, as well as presenters from Collaboration institutions. UND is a founding member of the Collaboration and typically the Office of Instructional Development funds several faculty to attend and/or present at the conferences. The fall conference is titled "Culture Matters: Designing Learning Environments to Foster Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Competence" (more info available at http://www.collab.org/programsservices/conferences/November08%20Conference.htm ). Those wishing to attend should apply for FIDC support (guidelines are available at the OID Web site). Applications for FIDC grants must be submitted prior to travel and the committee deadline for grant applications is noon the first of each month. The February 13-14, 2009, Collaboration Conference is themed “The Learning Educator: Fostering Our Own Development for Better Practice and Results.” The conference focuses on “what individual faculty and staff do to foster their own continuous learning and development as teaching professionals and how colleges, universities, and other groups strive to create environments that characterize learning organizations.” So this conference might be of particular interest to those who do SoTL work; or who have dedicated energy to enhancing student learning in your classrooms or creating an environment that supports better teaching in your department and college. The proposal deadline is approaching rapidly -- Sept. 19 and the call for papers is available at http://www.collab.org/programsservices/conferences/CFP%20February%2009.pdf If you are interested in talking about a potential conference proposal or presenting at or attending either conference, please e-mail or call (anne_kelsch@und.nodak.edu or 777-4233). -- Anne Kelsch, Director, Office of Instructional Development, anne_kelsch@und.nodak.edu, 777-4233