SOUTHEASTERN INDUSTRIAL TECH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPTS. TO
JOIN FORCES

     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's nationally-accredited industrial
technology department will combine forces with the university's computer science department to
build new advanced technology programs.
     "Affiliating these two departments is just one step in our efforts to streamline and combine
our strengths to build first-rate academic programs for our students and region," said
Southeastern Louisiana University President Sally Clausen. "These two departments have a
natural relationship, especially when one looks at modern industrial technology, automated
systems and rapidly changing trends in the world of computers."
     The affiliated departments will be headed by James Owens, who currently heads the
industrial technology department, which is one of only 43 in the United States accredited by the
National Association of Industrial Technology.
     "Our industrial technology department is one of the premier programs in the nation," said
Arts and Sciences dean John Miller. "Affiliating these two departments will greatly help us gain
national accreditation for our computer science program. The affiliation of computer science and
industrial technology will create a nucleus for science and technology innovation and act as a rich
resource for the college, university and state."
     Under the new plan, industrial technology and computer science will keep their separate
identities. Each will have its own faculty and budget but operate under the direction of a single
department head.
     To help make the transition smooth, Owens will appoint a special committee, consisting of
an equal number of faculty members from each former department. The committee will be headed
by Dr. Al Doucette, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The reorganization will
go into effect July 1.
     Placing these two departments under one department head, said Dean Miller, will create
an atmosphere of better communication, coordination and innovation. He also said the action
should greatly enhance the university's fund-raising possibilities through corporate, state and
federal grants.
     "Higher education today faces significant challenges," Miller said. "The transition into the
information age demands new skills and new perspectives for all graduates, but especially for
those in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology. Because science and technology
cross traditional disciplinary lines, we must create innovative academic programs that cross
departmental boundaries."     
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