[Asis-l] School of Information Announced at UT Austin

[Mary Lynn Rice-Lively]

PRESS RELEASE: School of Information Announced at UT Austin

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at The University of
Texas is changing its name to the School of Information. The new name
reflects the broadening of the profession in the 21st century and was
selected by the faculty to represent more accurately the diversity of their
interests and research.

Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson said, ³The name change signals a continuing
commitment to accomplishments of the past as well as a recognition that the
fields of study in the creation and use of information have undergone
dramatic changes in the last several years.  It is a very exciting and
promising time. In the several years I have worked with the School of
Information I have never seen it more energized.²

Dean Andrew Dillon says that while the new name was required for many
reasons, the primary motive was to encapsulate a new image of the field and
its possibilities. ³Our students and faculty are working in a domain that
has real significance for society,² he said, ³and one that must cross
boundaries if it is realize its potential.  We view information as a product
and a process that transcends physical spaces and institutions. Information
is our field of study, from creation to preservation, through use,
organization and management. This School has always covered a wider range of
information issues than most and the new name more accurately reflects the
School¹s true mission.²

The change will not affect degree offerings or organizational structure for
the School, which was founded in 1948 as part of the Graduate School of The
University of Texas and became GSLIS in 1980. The School of Information
anticipates further hires in the coming years and will be seeking diverse
faculty who can help shape the vision of a new school for a new age.

Mary Lynn Rice-Lively
............................................................................
Associate Dean
School of Information  UT at Austin
Sanchez Building 564
1 University Station  D7000
Austin TX  78712-0390
512-471-2371 wk 512-471-3971 fax
marylynn at ischool.utexas.edu    http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~marylynn/