College of EMS Advisory Board Meeting Meetings

March 26, 2007

Joe Coenen welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Gerry Dassler gave a report from the Nominating Committee.  Several members were renewed to the board for a three year term.  They are:  Joe Coenen, Chuck Crawford, Gerry Dassler, Jeff Gafner, Daryl George, Kevin Hagen, Kurt Koller, Larry Nelson, Rob Pagnucci, Jim Schneller, Karen Spence, John Volker, and Dan VonFeldt.  The following individuals were approved for new nominations to the board:

            Dan Kaul, Math emphasis; TDS Telecom

            Erin Dugan, EP emphasis; USG Research & Technology Information Center

            Kristina Thompson—CE emphasis; John Deere

            Sandy Foley—Chemical Engineering emphasis; SC Johnson & Sons

            John Lauper—Caterpillar

Rob Pagnucci—Math emphasis; CUNA Mutual

Lisa Riedle recommended endorsement of these new members.  Joe Coenen seconded recommendation.  Approved.

Introductions were made.

Members of the board met with UW Fox Valley on Friday.  Jenny Jensen, Program Director at UWFV, attended the meeting.  Joe provided an overview of the meeting and discussed scholarship opportunities.  It was decided that the Fox Valley advisory group should be a sub-group to this board and therefore the bylaws would need to be updated to incorporate this change.  The Fox Valley advisory group will meet on a quarterly basis. Joe outlined changes and motion to approve was made.  Seconded by Jeff Mazanec.  Discussion followed regarding similar changes for Rock County.  Also include the Chair of this group to be on both sub-committees.  Friendly amendment(s) were offered to make the statements generic to carry both Fox Valley and Rock County as well as the possibility of Chippewa.  Tabled until after lunch. 

Ray Spellman gave a presentation and overview of the Highway Tech Certification Program (HTCP) that is available through UW Platteville.  The group was appreciative of the update and new information shared.

FIRST Robotics—President Casey Gales and Vice President Joe Fox, both Mechanical Engineering students, shared information about FIRST Robotics and collaborative efforts between UWP students and Mineral Point, Platteville, and Hazel Green school districts.  There are competitions held throughout the regions that promote moral building and gracious professionalism.  Casey and Joe also gave a demonstration.

Lisa introduced Angie Udelhofen who shared updated information regarding TSI numbers by Angela Udelhofen.  There have been over 600 more student visits for EMS than last year.  To date, TSI has had 160 admits and actual deposits received for EMS.   For TSI students, we recruit at high schools, college fairs, industrial events in the area.  The target for Fall 2007 is 350 students and we are approaching 300 right now.   For Fall 2006, 1819 students were admitted with 560 being placed into the College of EMS.  This is up 14% over last year. 

Foundation—Angie Gasior outlined the scholarships at UW Fox Valley.  She provided an update on the new engineering building at UWP along with information regarding the Ground Breaking Ceremony to be held on May 18^th at 10:30 a.m.  The goal of $8.2 million for the engineering building has been met and completion is scheduled in late 2008.  She shared a list of scholarships and projects for EMS with the group.  There are Community Scholarship programs that will allow local communities to be involved in sending students to UWP.  WisDOT has a brand new sponsored scholarship. 

Tammy Salmon-Stephens indicated that there will not be a WEP camp during the summer.  The program has changed the focus and will work with girl scout groups.

EXPO is coming up on Thursday, April 3.  Caterpillar and John Deere are bringing in some “heavy” equipment to show the latest and greatest innovations within their industry. 

Lisa updated the Board on the following issues:

1) The current enrollment at UWP is 6700.

2) The Arts building is getting a face lift.

3) The new residence hall (Southwest Hall) is full.  There will be a bridge built between SW Hall and Glenview.

4) There will be a walkway developed around the SW Hall area of campus.

5) The Fieldhouse will have an addition to the building to accommodate the increased  number of students.

6) Glenview’s lower level will be renovated in the near future.

7) The University Farm has a robotic milker soon to be up and functioning.

8) The remodeling of Ottensman Hall hopes to be included on the 2009-2011 budget along with Karrmann Library and Boebel Hall.

9) There have been several new hires with the TSI program dollars. 

10) The new engineering building is schedule for completion by December 2008.  Groundbreaking will be May 18^th.

11) The MSENGR program will have it’s five year review.  There are currently 206 students and 135 are active.

12) The International Exchange Program has 15 students here this semester and six UWP students out on exchange.

13) Articulation agreements have been reached with Viterbo College, Mississippi Valley Technical College, and there is a possibility of something over in the Waukesha area and Highland Community College.

14) MEMs and Nano courses/programs are moving forward and classes are already in progress.

15) Energy and Renewable energy will be discussed this afternoon.

16) ABET review went very well.

17) It was suggested that Jenny Jenson and Jack Champeau be invited to the fall meeting.

18) Dave Kaul had a question about looking at UW Stout and the possibility of adding a Wisconsin Polytechnic Institute.  This is still being discussed at UW System.

Break of lunch.

Breakout sessions discussions took place.

Breakout sessions updates:

Energy/Renewable Energy—The Electrical Engineering program reviewed this program in respect to what is best for electrical engineers.  The suggestion was made to reduce core classes from 11 to 7 and then have more elective choices. There was discussion regarding a minor in this program and conservation as a part of the program as well. 

International Programs—The EMS exchange program needs to have constant promotion of this program across and campus.  There is a vast difference between countries and cultures.  We continue to promote getting the message out for UWP students to participate and the importance of this experience.

Renovation of Ottensman—The building was constructed in 1965 and has a projected renovation budget of $10 million.  This planning project will involve the various departments.  Departments will be asked to submit their plan and a committee will communicate with campus planning to make sure that all needs are met.  

Joe requested that at future meetings that perhaps a list of topics could be sent out earlier so that members can come prepared.

The resolution for the Advisory Board to have sub-groups which include Fox Valley, Rock County and others was presented to the board by Joe.  Motion was made to approve these changes.  Motion carried.  The next step will be to rewrite the bylaws.  This will be done by Dennis Janda, Daryl George, and Chuck Crawford.

The next meeting will be held in October. 

Lisa expressed thanks to everyone for coming.

Max announced the Dr. Sam Owusu-Ababio’s wife, Doris, had passed away.

Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.