Computing Jubilee
|
 Fifty years ago, the university was among the first schools to offer courses in computer science. Twenty-five years ago, the Center for Advanced Computer Studies was formed. These milestones will be celebrated this week during the Louisiana Computing Carnival 2009. One highlight will be on Friday at 1:30 p.m. when the Advanced Computer Technology and Research Hall ¬¬– which is home to both programs – will be named for Dr. James R. Oliver. He is revered as the “father of computing” at UL Lafayette and is credited with bringing the first computer to campus – an IBM 1620. A two-day workshop on Friday and Saturday and a banquet on Friday are also part of the celebration.
|
READ MORE >
|
|
|
|
Jazzing It Up
|
| Jazzman’s Coffee Shop is under construction in Edith Garland Dupré Library. The shop will feature specialty coffees, pastries and sandwiches and will be operated by Sodexho, the company that runs the cafeteria in UL Lafayette’s Student Union.
But the addition is just part of a plan to transform the first floor of the library into a “learning commons.” Dr. Charles Triche, dean of Libraries and a professor of library science, says that term describes a trend in university libraries. The ultimate goal is to make the library as convenient and useful to students as possible.
For starters, the “learning commons” takes away the “Shhhhhh.” Triche says students will be encouraged to talk with each other and collaborate on projects, without worrying about making too much noise.
In addition to an existing reference desk, a tutoring center, the English Department’s tutoring lab and a state-of-the-art photocopy center will be located on the first floor.
Students will be able to check out laptop computers for use in the library and there will be a help desk if they need assistance with computer hardware or software.
What will happen to the books that are now on the first floor? They’ll “disappear” to the third floor, Triche says. |
| |
Give a Ticket
|
 Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns® are making it easy to say “Thanks” to military personnel. Just purchase a ticket to the Nov. 21 football game and give it to a veteran. It’s part of the second annual Ragin’ Cajuns Military Appreciation Night. Last year, area businesses purchased tickets that were then donated to service members and their families. This year, individuals are encouraged to participate as well. Appreciation Night will feature a display of vintage and current military vehicles and a halftime fireworks display. |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
| F.Y.I. |
|
Poverty Numbers
|
Researchers with the Cecil Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning at UL Lafayette are encouraged by the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent decision to release revised poverty estimates for Americans. Bobby DeCuir, the Picard Center’s project director for poverty, said she wasn’t surprised that the new formula shows more people are living in poverty. Gail Bonhomme, the Picard Center’s project director for families, said she hopes the changes lead to public policy improvements. “Hopefully, it will open the minds of middle-class decision makers,” stated Bonhomme in a Lafayette Daily Advertiser article.
|
| READ MORE > |
| |
Weekend Traveler
|
UL Lafayette received a mention in National Geographic “Traveler” magazine’s November/December 2009 issue.  The university is part of “The Best Short Trips in the World” article, which features Louisiana in the USA/South section. “Stroll the grounds of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which claims to be the only college in the United States with an alligator-filled swamp, then head to Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe for a sundae – it’s the only Borden’s left in the U.S.,” it states.
|
| |
| Got a news tip? Send it to enews@louisiana.edu |
|
