COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2005
Jim Schneller began the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone attending on such a nice day. He mentioned that there are lots of interesting things happening on-campus today and this weekend.
Daryl George, representing the Nominating Committee, introduced Jeff Panka (Industrial Engineering major), Prairie Industries/Nu Pak, and Dennis Janda (1980 UWP graduate), Burger Boat Company, as new Board members. Daryl also mentioned that they are looking for mechanical engineers for the Advisory Board.
Susan Babb, Chair of the Concept Committee, is now turning the position over to John Daniel.
Rich Shultz gave the following updates on the College.
1. The budget passed with significant cuts. There were no layoffs within the College.
2. UWP received funding for an electrical engineering program at UW-Rock County, Janesville, WI. Ads are out for the electrical engineering positions at UW-Rock County.
3. UW-Fox Valley program is running strong. They currently have 175 students with the first graduates (five students) this fall. There will be eight to ten students graduating in the spring 2006 semester.
4. The Joint Finance Committee met and the last amendment was to give $120,000 to Platteville to deliver electrical engineering at UW-Fox Valley. We are currently looking at ways to make this work. Streaming videoing is one possibility and this might also be used at UW-Rock County. Rich will bring a sample of streaming videoing to the next Advisory Board Meeting.
5. TSI – The target was 240 students for the fall semester at UWP, but only 170 students are on-campus. The target for the fall 2006 semester is 400. UWP is also looking at transfers from junior colleges. October 24 and 25 are the dates set for Junior College Transfer Days. Janesville has also been given permission to utilize TSI. Five to 10 slots are available for UW-Rock students.
6. The resident suites are under construction. An architect has been named for the new engineering building. Lisa Riedle is the Chair for the College of EMS Building Committee. The Committee will be touring other new buildings for ideas. Construction should begin in one year. Ottensman Hall will be renovated after the new engineering building is done.
7. We have submitted a request for permission to plan a Mems/Nano program. UW-Stout is also looking at starting this program. Rich met with the UW-Stout Dean and both Universities will work together.
8. We also submitted a request for permission to plan a Joint International Master’s Program. The approval should be coming soon.
9. The Chancellor and Rich will be heading to the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Ireland on Monday, October 17 to sign an exchange agreement. We currently have four students there and two of their students here.
10. The Chancellor and Rich will also be going to Australia in February 2006 and market a program with the Study Abroad Office and Newcastle, Australia for engineer majors around the United States to study there.
11. The On-line Master of Engineering program currently has 130 students. Twelve students graduated last year. The on-line programs started five years ago as cash recovery programs and they now have 1,200 students enrolled.
12. ABET will be visiting our college in the fall 2006 so everyone is busy working on that.
13. Project on “M” steps – Dennis Cooley and Angela Kramer will meet with Jeff Mazanek during the breakout sessions. If anyone would like to join them, they are welcome. They will be discussing a plan for fund-raising through the Foundation Office.
Break Out Sessions were announced
A survey response was received indicating a backlash to gender specific programs. We have concerns about losing ground on women in engineering issues.
SPS Student Groups presented demonstrations for the Board members.
LUNCH
WORKING GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Introductions were made by everyone. Angela Kramer introduced herself as the new Foundation Development Officer for the College of EMS.
“M” Steps – Jeff Mazanek
Dennis Cooley, Angela Kramer, and Jeff met. They came up with several ideas and Jeff asked for input. He explained that there are 261 steps with six landings. One idea is to pay a straight $500 per step ($100 over a 5 year period). Another thought was to pay $500 for the middle steps; lower steps would be a higher value because of visibility; and higher steps because they are closer to the top. Another thought was a person could choose the step they wanted and you’d pay more; first-come-first-serve basis. Monies collected would assist with maintaining the “M” and also used toward the new engineering building. “Let’s Take the Next Step.”
Fox Valley and Rock County Advisory Board – Dave Allison
Discussion quickly led to consensus that there were few con’s with the concept of a Fox Valley Advisory Board. Some concerns with structure were identified along with concern if there weren’t close ties to the UWP EMS Advisory Board that potential barriers could occur.
Consensus of group was we should do it and do it soon! General structure would be similar to a sub-committee to the parent board. However, it was felt it should be called Fox Valley Chapter.
Extreme importance was put on the idea of co-membership (participation) on both boards.
Structure recommendation is as follows:
Fox Valley Advisory Board
UWP Dean and Associate Dean
UWP Program Chairs
Fox Valley Dean
Fox Valley Program Director (Future Member of Parent EMS Board)
Onsite Engineering Faculty
10 Advisory Board Members
- Minimum 30% of local chapter membership participation on UWP
EMS Board
- Membership open to those professionals who want to support
Engineering education in specific local areas
The above structure could/should be duplicated for Rock County. It was discussed whether to combine or not. General consensus was to remain separate due to geographic and industry interests.
The Chapters would have a breakout at UWP EMS Main Board meeting and report on opportunities.
Nano/Mems Update – Hal Evensen
Hal mentioned that there was literature in each folder along with a contact list.
Response has been positive on this new program, but there are some words of caution. A suggestion is to consider hiring a staff who knows more about Nano/Mems or a consultant. Does Nano and Mems go together? Rich added that we have submitted a request for entitlement to plan a degree program in Nano/Mems. This is a plan for a four-year degree and we will have a five-year window to request an authorization to implement the degree program.
Issues with Women in Engineering Program – Tammy Salmon-Stephens
The Women in Engineering Program does discriminate in favor of a certain group to consider engineering (women).
Dennis, Gill, and Tammy are going to conduct a survey to sense the climate for WIE programs. We need to market. Everyone today agreed that this program needs to be funded. Rich Shultz has been very supportive of this program.
It was suggested to contact UW-Fox Valley and UW-Rock County to reach women in those areas.
Spring Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2006.
Jim Schneller thanked everyone for attending the meeting.