College of EMS Advisory Board Meeting Meetings

October 16, 2006

The Fall 2006 Advisory Board meeting was called to order by Joe Coenen at 10:10 a.m.

There was a discussion regarding the possibility of a UW Fox Valley Advisory Board committee and some cross membership with this board.  Please let Joe Coenen know of any possible members.  There was also a suggestion to include the UW Fox Valley and UW Rock County program coordinators at this meeting.

Jerry Dassler shared the Nomination Committee recommendations.  There are seven advisory board members up for re-appointment.  They are:  Sue Babb, Gil Hantzsch, Dave Kaul, Arnie Mohlman, Brian Rauch, Gerry Waelti, and Randy Wirtz.  All seven individuals were approved.

Joe Coenen has ascended to the position of Chair which leaves the Vice Chair position vacant.  The Nomination Committee recommends Susan Babb for this position.  Motion by John Voelker and seconded by Gerry Waelti.  Motion carried. 

A discussion was held about the expansion of open board positions.  The Nomination Committee would like to engage the board in making nominations to Jerry Dassler by December 15^th.  Jerry will then contact the individuals and outline what the board is all about.  Some areas that might be explored for expansion are:  diversity (gender & ethnic), disciplines (ME and CS/SE areas), and geographic locations concentrating on Northern Illinois, Eastern Iowa, and Northwest Wisconsin. 

Introductions were done.

Rich presented an update of the College.  He reported about the upcoming ABET inspection.  The Higher Learning Commission accreditation is also taking place this fall semester.  There is a request for public input regarding the university.

Enrollment for the College of EMS is 2,030 with 1,657 in the engineering programs.  This makes UWP the second largest engineering program in the state.  The target for Tri-State Initiative enrollment was 300 students.  There ended up being 270 students.  Next year’s target will be 400 students with a sustainable target of 380 students per semester.   The retention rate has been remarkable.  Out of the 440 students, 414 remained on-campus with 151 within the College of EMS.  A general discussion of Tri-State Initiative (TSI) took place.  The cost is about $2000 cheaper for Illinois residents and $200 more for Iowa residents. 

Campus remodeling projects continue along with the new residence hall building.  There have been six new faculty hired within the College as follows:  2—Mathematics, 1—Chemistry, 1—General Engineering, 1—Civil Engineering, and 1 Mechanical Engineering. 

The new engineering building is on schedule.  Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Physics as well as General Engineering courses will be in the new building.  It is scheduled to be completed in January 2009 with ground breaking taking place this spring.  After the completion of the new building, then the renovation of Ottensman will take place.  The entire bottom floor of the new building will be dedicated to student projects and organization. 

The new building will cost approximately $27.5 million with $20 million coming from TSI funds.  There is a need to raise $7.5 million from private funds and to date we have $6.5 million committed.  The goal will be reached by the end of the year.  Many kudos to Dennis Cooley and Angie Gasior.

The ‘M’ Step project is going well with 200 out of the 266 steps funded to date.  All of the platforms have been sponsored.  Thanks to everyone that supported this project. Strand Associates, JP Cullen, and Avista are the platform sponsors.  Jim Schneller commented that perhaps he should have had Avista buy in for the bottom platform instead of the top platform but was reassured by the board that going to the top was much more beneficial for his health!  The dedication will take place on Friday at 10:30 a.m. as a kickoff to Homecoming events.  There is also a Miner’s Reunion planned.

Ullsvik Center renovation will begin soon with a completion date of 2008.  Half of the building will be tore down and rebuilt with classrooms, offices, and a museum. 

The International Exchange Program is going strong.  There are 27 students here this semester and 12 UWP students out on exchange.  The program continues to grow.

The Joint International Master and Computer Science program was approved at the Board of Regents meeting on October 6.  They will be looking at a joint degree from both institutions. 

ABET accreditation is scheduled to begin on October 28.  The team will arrive and visit UW Fox Valley first and then continue the evaluation here at Platteville from October 29-31.  Over 60% of all programs reviewed last year were sighted with shortcomings.  General discussion of ABET followed. 

A general discussion was held about other campuses starting engineering programs within areas of the state.  Rich indicated that initial discussions have been held at UW Stout to bring on one more outreach program.  That would primarily cover all parts of the state with UW Fox Valley, UW Platteville, and UW Rock County.  This would include the addition of mobile labs as well.  General discussion followed.  Currently UW Stout has a manufacturing engineering program.

Nano technology is offering the first course.  We are currently sending faculty to training sessions and courses.  Grants have also been received.  UWP received authorization to plan a program in this area.

Engineers Without Borders gave a presentation.  Sam Owusu-Ababio, Advisor, along with Ryan Staab, President, and Joe Elsinger, Vice President, of the organization address the board.  This organization should be recognized as an official campus organization this week.  EWB is planning to go to Ghana and provide service to multiple communities.  There would be a significant engineering component to the project and located in close proximity to a larger city.  Concerns that EWB will face in Ghana are lack of schools and basic classroom structures, erosion problems, poor sanitary waster management, and poor drinking water sources.  Some potential projects may include building a set of centrally located classroom blocks, library or playground; designing a drainage and erosion control measures; sanitation/waste management plan; quarry lake/pond into a tourist attraction center.  EWB plan to make partnerships with UWP and retired engineers along with affected communities, KNUST students and staff, and African leadership Initiative Groups.  General questions and discussion followed.

Lunch was provided.

Afternoon sessions/discussions took place.

Summary of afternoon sessions follow.

MOE Program—The general perception of the program with industry was discussed.  It was suggested to recruit alumni to participate and see if we could have a link for industrial companies on the web site.  This is an accredited program through HLC.  The consensus was to market the program as UW Platteville.  Also, how big should the program grow?  And, what types of emphasis, if any, should be added to the program.

Engineers Without Borders—Multiple projects in Ghana.  Build this into a long time planning and multiple trip program.  Good project for group since Dr. Sam has local connections at both UW Platteville and Ghana.  It was agreed that we should tighten down the project scope so that it is a doable and easy project that can be completed.  Fundraising efforts need to start very soon so that appropriate monies are secured.  This is a fantastic program and opportunity for everyone.

Retention & Recruiting—Start at grades 6-8 with recruiting students to UWP.  This is an electronic generation and connections need to be made with that in mind.  To generate interest hold several events like math competitions, lego league, etc….in fact, take EXPO on the road. 

Rich shared some closing comments and thanked everyone for coming.  The next meeting was not set and will try to be coordinated around the possible ground breaking for the new engineering building.