After beginning duties July 1 as dean of the College of Human Sciences and Education, Laura Lindsay took some time to speak with The Daily Reveille about the future of the new college.
The Daily Reveille: What is the combination of five schools and the lab school going to mean for University students? Laura Lindsay: “Well, the degree programs will not change. But I think students will see a lot more opportunities. Besides just getting experience in their individual fields, I think the combination will give students opportunities to work with faculty across disciplines. I certainly do not think that combining the schools will decrease the quality of education.”
TDR: Describe the process that led to the creation of the college. Lindsay: “There has always been a discussion between colleges, because when you get into human issues there is a tremendous continuum. I think I have been to more than 70 meetings since the process began. It has just been a dialogue with all faculty – including directors, board members and individual faculty – to make sure that the finished product is something that we are happy with.”
TDR: How is your experience going to ensure that the College of Human Sciences and Education has a sound future? Lindsay: “I have been everything from a dean to an interim vice chancellor. I have been in many different positions and have a number of experiences in management and structural communications. I think that is one of the most important issues the college will face – communicating between departments. Combining six colleges is a step in a new direction, but as long as each department is able to communicate effectively, I believe we will be able to provide a great experience for both faculty and students.”
TDR: What projects will the college look to accomplish? Lindsay: “There is a long list of goals that we would like to accomplish. Distance learning is something that we think is very important. There is definitely a demand for that and an opportunity to accomplish it. … We would also like to get some kind of program in place to make [the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse] a more habitable space. That area needs to be renovated. It is a historic building. It has an important history. It was the old Student Union, and it is in a central part of campus.”
TDR: Has there been any conversation about making the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse the center of the college, especially since the School of Kinesiology is already located there? Lindsay: “Well, part of our goal is to bring all of our entities closer together. Proximity wise, that area is a good location for us. If we are able to renovate that area then we would certainly like to use it for our department.” 
 
____ Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]