ACUI's 87th Annual Conference; A Common Bond; Atlanta, GA; March 25-28, 2007

Monday, March 26, 7:15–8:15 a.m.

• Community on Multicultural Programs
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender
• Small Schools
• Two-Year Colleges

Make a connection with those who share a common bond and find an ACUI Community you can call home. Community meetings provide opportunities to talk with friends and colleagues about issues and challenges you share. The most important feature of the Communities is not the topic or issue around which people choose to gather, but the opportunity to become involved. Use this opportunity to learn about the culture of ACUI and find other students and professionals who share your interests and challenges. This year, the scheduled meeting times will be offered earlier in the day to allow for additional networking and gathering throughout the conference. The meetings are open to all conference delegates.

The Communities Night Out is an opportunity for ACUI Communities to relax, network, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Atlanta. For the first time ever, you can register for the Communities Night Out as part of your overall conference registration. When you register, be sure to indicate that you'll be attending a community outing. The cost of your meal will be added to your registration total, and you'll receive your ticket when you arrive in Atlanta. If you can't decide now, purchase your ticket on site before the deadline. The Communities Night Out is open to all conference delegates.

Community on Multicultural Programs

For more than 60 years, Mary Mac's has been setting the standard for Southern cooking in Atlanta. They specialize in all of the Southern favorites from fried chicken to catfish; macaroni and cheese to black eyed peas; and peach cobbler to bread pudding. Diners will feast on a specially prepared three-course buffet. Cost includes nonalcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuity.

Small Schools

Gibney's takes pride in its years of treating out-of-town guests like regulars. Grab a bar stool or table, order a cold Guiness and enjoy the finest cuisine Atlanta has to offer. Dinner includes choice of entrée, non-alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT)

Occupying three 1920s bungalows in the heart of midtown Atlanta, Einstein's offers cuisine that is uniquely Atlanta in an atmosphere that makes almost anyone feel at home. Dinner includes three courses, nonalcoholic beverages, your first alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity.

Two-Year Colleges

Enjoy traditional American fare from the talented Atlanta Marriott Marquis culinary staff.

Reconnect, reenergize, and rekindle your regional common bonds or, for those new to ACUI or new to a region, take this opportunity to meet your regional colleagues. Doubling as a business meeting and social gathering opportunity, the regional meetings provide time to facilitate the unique needs of each region. Conducted by the regional director, each meeting is different, but will likely include information about the year's regional activities, upcoming regional programs, the regional budget, involvement opportunities, the regional dinner, and the Battle of the Regions. Please take the opportunity to get to know your fellow regional delegates as the annual conference gets underway.

An ACUI annual conference tradition continues with the regional dinners, an opportunity to dine with colleagues from your region. The Conference Program Team has assisted the regional directors in the selection of an excellent dining option for each region. For the first time ever, many regional members can sign up for regional dinners as part of your registration. When you register, be sure to indicate that you'll be attending your region's dinner. The cost of your meal will be added to your registration total, and you'll receive your ticket when you arrive in Atlanta.

Region 1

Max Lager's is an award-winning restaurant that features wood-fired cuisine and fresh-brewed beer. It has been described as a refreshing blend of laid-back bonhomie and uptown energy. Dinner includes a salad, choice of entrée, choice of side dish, Max's famous peach cobbler, nonalcoholic drinks, tax, and gratuity.

Region 2

Known far and wide in Atlanta as having some of the best home-cooked local cuisine in Atlanta, Mick's offers all of the stick-to-your-ribs food you know and love! Dinner includes three courses, nonalcoholic drinks, tax, and gratuity.

Region 3

Azio Downtown offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional Italian cuisine in a refined yet casual setting. Located just two blocks from the Marriott Marquis, diners will receive a three-course meal with selection of entrée and a nonalcoholic beverage. Tax and gratuity are included.

Region 4

Vickery's is a dining experience like none other. It was opened by three guys and a dog as a good place to get a stiff drink and a cheeseburger. Today, Vickery's offers simple food with big flavors inspired by the Southerners that founded Vickery's. Diners will receive a three-course meal, including a salad, entrée, dessert, tax, and gratuity.

Regions 5, 7, and 13

Regions 6 and 11

For more than 60 years, Mary Mac's has been setting the standard for Southern cooking in Atlanta. They specialize in all of the Southern favorites from fried chicken to catfish; macaroni and cheese to black eyed peas; and peach cobbler to bread pudding. Diners will feast on a specially prepared three-course buffet that includes nonalcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuity.

Region 8

The Varsity is the world's largest drive-in restaurant, serving customers in Atlanta since 1928.People from all over the world come to experience The Varsity because there is nothing like it anywhere! Enjoy two selections from their unique menu, fries or rings, a soda or a “Frosted O,” and a choice of dessert.

Region 9

Enjoy hearty Cajun-style fare under flickering gas lights at Front Page News' authentic New Orleans patio. Diners will enjoy authentic Southern dishes like po'boys, gumbo, burgers, crab cakes, and other stick-to-your-ribs dishes. Like it hot? Front Page News has over 200 hot sauces—all included with your meal. Price also includes tax and gratuity.

Region 10

Region 12

Fuego Spanish Grill is an excellent find in Midtown for a creative selection of Spanish tapas, great Cuban fare, and interesting takes on American favorites, as well as one of the best sangrias in town. The sultry digs include a patio overlooking the skyline, making it an excellent place for a regional dinner, which includes a nonalcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity.

Region 14

Regions 15

The Battle of the Regions is always a highlight of the annual conference, and this year will be no exception! We're even going to add a little down-home Southern twist to the competition that will knock your socks off! As usual, the regional brouhaha will include College Bowl and the Poetry Slam, and, by popular demand, the Spelling Bee is coming back, but this time in a team format. To add that special Southern spice, this year we are adding a checkers tournament, complete with sweet tea refreshments! This new addition to the schedule will allow for more participants and get more people out to cheer for their region!

Regions also are invited to earn more points by participating in the various activities designed to raise money for the ACUI Education and Research Fund! Participate in the annual golf tournament, sponsor a participant in the annual FUNd Run/Walk (or participate yourself!), and contribute to the Penny Wars!

Begin preparing your teams now because the region with the highest combined score will be crowned the winner in the Battle of Atlanta and will have bragging rights for the next year! Start planning your strategy now and be ready for the competition!

Spouses, partners, and families are important members of the Association and the annual conference. The ACUI spouse, partner, and family program has received a permanent endowment from the family and friends of Helen M. Blood to pay tribute to her contributions to ACUI. Blood was an active participant in 10 ACUI annual conferences and was well known by many members simply as “Mother.” Throughout the years, she visited college campuses, welcomed ACUI members in her home as part of her family, provided special homemade treats for ACUI volunteer meetings, and truly enjoyed the camaraderie of the membership on every occasion. The ACUI spouse, partner, and family program serves as an opportunity to meet other family members and learn about Atlanta. Registration includes:

• Opening Reception, Sunday, 3 p.m.
• Opening and Closing Banquets

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Access to educational sessions, featured presentations, ACUI Expo, and other special conference activities

• All conference information and official name badge
• Access to ACUI After Dark
• Participation in the Peacemakers Tour (see page 4)

Will this be your first time attending an ACUI conference? Have you just joined the ACUI family or are you new to the profession? If so, welcome! You are invited to join us at the Newcomers’ Reception. Meet others who are new to the Association and/or conference and connect with professionals who have meaningful ties with ACUI. You will get to hear from our ACUI board members, veterans in the field, and gain insight into this great organization. Seize this wonderful opportunity to start forming common bonds and make new friends.

Look for the Newcomers’ Round-Table in the educational sessions schedule. Take a breath and relax while you enjoy some sweet tea and a delicious dessert. Discuss your conference experience and ask questions in a casual atmosphere. Get together with other newcomers! We want you to feel at home

Bonding Activities

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