if (f.elements[1].value != f.elements[2].value) 
        errors += "Your passwords do not match. Please enter the same password in both fields.\n";    
    
    if (!empty_fields && !errors) {
    var object = document.authenticate.sex; 
    var chosensex;
       for (var i = 0; i < object.length; i++)
         if (object[i].checked)
           chosensex = object[i].value;

    var depart;
    var object2 = document.authenticate.department;
    depart = escape(object2.options[object2.selectedIndex].text);