COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE

MINUTES - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, November 3, 1999 - 3:00 p.m. - Ottensman 149

Members Present: M. Anderson, J. Clifton, J. Krogman, J. Miller, M. Muslu, S. Owusu-Ababio,

L. Riedle, K. Rolle, R. Shultz and P. Young

Visitors Present: J. Dresser, T. Salmon and A. Wortley

• Joe Dresser and Al Wortley were introduced as representatives of the Board of Engineers Professional Responsibility (BEPR), the ethics arm of the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers. This board recently received approval after a year of trial activities. The mission of BEPR is three-fold: a) educational, b) public service and c) investigative. Most campuses have no stand alone course in ethics and no room in the curriculum for such a course to be added. One way to include ethics in the curriculum would be a heightened faculty awareness so that this topic will be introduced in current classes. A. Wortley, Chair of BEPR, requested feedback on the usefulness of the publication, 1999 Selected Reference & Resources on Engineering Ethics & Professional Practice which was distributed to EMS faculty and student organizations in early September. This feedback may be communicated by e-mail to wortley@engr.wisc.edu. A. Wortley questioned whether there was a need for a student chapter of the Professional Engineering Chapter on campus. J. Krogman complimented A. Wortley on the publication, and indicated that it was a good resource for General Engineering faculty. R. Shultz commented that ethics was a very important part of the engineering profession and thanked WSPE for their efforts in coordinating this effort. A. Wortley distributed a flyer announcing the special program on "Ethics, Law and Public Policy for Engineers" on Thursday, November 11 by Arthur E. Schwartz. UWP faculty and students are invited. L. Riedle mentioned that ASCE is planning on attending. J. Dresser provided a copy of the BEPR roster which will be distributed to the Council. Another brochure is in the final stages of development which will allow someone to request speakers, information, programs or to lodge complaints.



• Minutes of October 20 were approved as distributed.

• Announcements
• T. Salmon reported that SWE would be conducting an Engineering Sweatshirt Day on November 9 in preparation for their fund raiser. She also indicated that Iowa State would be on campus for their graduate school visit on Wednesday, November 17 from 4-6 p.m. in Ottensman 140. Tammy distributed a bookmark for the new Women in Engineering Program Website.
• The Dean announced that Philip Parker and Carol Beals would be co-chairs for the College Webmasters Committee. P. Parker will be handling the meetings and the development of policy while C. Beals will supervise students in the development of the Web pages.

Page 2 - Executive Council

Minutes - November 3, 1999

• M. Anderson reported that their department's digital camera was being checked out by students from other departments, especially Mechanical. K. Rolle will look into the possible purchase of their own digital camera.

• Discussion Topics
• Faculty course evaluations will take place December 1-7. The Departments of Mathematics and Chemistry and Engineering Physics will conduct their own evaluations. The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department will meet to determine whether they wish an additional evaluation sheet to be used.
• J. Krogman asked for a preliminary discussion about the faculty's feelings on the utilization of CAD software. A re-evaluation of current software or an examination of what else is available needs to be conducted. The Dean asked that open discussions take place at departmental meetings, and that faculty be encouraged to attend when vendors make presentations. A suggestion was made to survey what graduates are going to be expected to use in industry. L. Riedle indicated that a question could still be added to the 2-5 year graduate surveys.
• Engineering programs have been selected by the Chancellor to be showcased for the May 5 Board of Regents meeting on campus. The fifteen minute program should profile faculty credentials, accreditation and also involve students. L. Riedle would appreciate receiving input from the departments. M. Anderson suggested using a program called "Astound".
• The Dean reported that the evaluations of chairs and program coordinators would be handled by the Dean's Office in early December.



• Other Business
• The new UW System Grants program material was distributed.
• The maintenance of Ottensman was discussed. Several reports have been made regarding areas which need attention. The Dean suggested that he meet with Dave Langkamp to develop a check list which can be completed by departments for the use by custodial staff.