ACUTA is a North American nonprofit association whose core purpose is to support higher education communications technology professionals in contributing to the achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. It was founded in 1972 by telecommunications managers or directors. The association has grown with the evolution of technology to include voice, data and video professionals. This is reflected in the name, ACUTA, which stood for the Association of College and University Telecommunications Administrators, but now broadly positions the group as the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education. The group retains the acronym ACUTA to capitalize on its reputation and recognition that span 40 years.
Membership in ACUTA resides with the college and university, and these institutions are represented within the association by the men and women responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining voice and data networks throughout campus. A number of Canadian institutions give ACUTA a presence across North America. Companies that provide products and services relevant to the provision of voice, data and video are also invited to become corporate affiliates. Its membership includes more than 700 college and university members, and about 150 corporate affiliates.
The group specializes in educational opportunities and professional networking, offering two seminars and one major conference each year in addition to numerous web seminars. Its website provides immediate access to numerous resources, an active listserv offers useful information as members interact with peers, and the publications program provides a monthly electronic newsletter and a quarterly journal as well as other materials that address issues of relevance and importance. ACUTA also works closely with a Washington law firm to provide up-to-date information from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and Congress.