SHSU was also authorized to employ Molina Walker Architects, Inc. of Houston to design a metal building for the industrial technology program. The old buildings have such defects as a cracked concrete slab and inadequate heating, cooling, ventilation and electrical capacity. The new building will be near the Agricultural Mechanization Center Building and will contain approximately 8,000 square feet. SHSU was authorized to change the name of the Department of Mathematical and Information Sciences to the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics, pending approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The new name is expected to give added visibility to SHSU offerings in the field of computer science, which is becoming increasingly popular.
Statistics is another area which is growing.
SHSU has a master's program in statistics and minor in statistics at the bachelor's level. The name change will become effective in the 2000 spring semester if approved by the coordinating board. Charles W. Bridges was approved as professor of English and chair, Department of English and Foreign Languages, and Robert L. Walzel, Jr. was approved as professor of music and chair, Department of Music. Both approvals were retroactive to July 15, and both administrators were also granted tenure. Nine additional faculty members were granted tenure.