SPIE Members Backed Merger Plan

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Oct. 8 -- The members of SPIE (The International Society for Optical Engineering) have voted in favor of a plan to merge with the Optical Society of America (OSA). As previously reported, the OSA members voted earlier to reject the plan. While the OSA vote effectively kills the proposed merger, SPIE expressed a belief that support exists in both societies for greater interaction and coordination of programs that support the global community of optical scientists and engineers.
Paul Schenker, SPIE president, said, I feel the best initiative at this point is creative OSA-SPIE cooperation, in tangible projects. I would hope we all retain the sense of commitment and spiritual partnership -- among both the memberships and staffs -- that grew significantly during the merger deliberations. The votes concluded almost two years of discussions between the leadership and members of both societies.