MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 17, 1996

SURVEYING PAC MEETING

Attendees: Mr. Charles Harpster, Dr. Charles Ghilani, Mr. Robert Miller, Mr. John Fuehrer, Mr. J. Frederick Friden, Mr. Emerson Bornman, Mr. John Lewis, Mr. Joe Dolan, Mr. Eduardo Fernandez-Falcon

9:00 AM Meeting was opened by Dr. Charles Ghilani and Mr. John Fuehrer

• Hand-out on functions of a IAC committe was circulated. Discussion on how to run an industrial advisory committee followed.
• Address update sheets were circulated and returned to Mr. John Fuehrer.
• Mr. John Fuehrer overviewed activities for the day.
• Discussion on the program needs followed. Mr. John Fuehrer asked for opinions from former students, Mr. John Lewis (1992) and Mr. Charles Harpster (1996).

10:00 AM

• Mr. Robert Miller, Mr. J. Frederick Friden, and Mr. John Lewis went to the library to review holdings.
• Mr. John Fuehrer, Mr. Joe Dolan, Mr. Emerson Bornman, and Mr. Charles Harpster went to SUR 111 - Plane Surveying, Dr. Tom Seybert's lecture to freshman class. Last part of class was used for an open discussion with IAC committee members to discuss student views on the program and profession.

11:00 AM Had lunch and open discussion with faculty, Ms. Karen-Anne Riley, Dr. Tom Seybert, Mr. Eduardo Fernandez-Falcon, and Dr. Charles Ghilani.

12:00 PM Attended SUR 490 - Seminar in Surveying for panel discussion lead by Mr. John Fuehrer on "What Professional Societies do for Practicing Surveyors". Finished class period with open-discussion about program with junior students.

1:30 PM Meeting with Dr. Charles Ghilani about the surveying program.

Topics discussed were:

1. Enrollment status.
2. Recruitment status.
3. Reorganization of the University.
4. Physics curriculum. ACSM science requirements.
5. Mathematics department. ACSM math requirements.
6. Faculty status.
7. Campus/CEO status.
8. Associate degree status.
9. ABET report status.
10. Update on: http://surveying.wb.psu.edu
11. Discussion on mission statement for IAC committee. Decided to use current mission statement as described in TAC-ABET guide.
12. Developed recommendations on program to present to administration.

4:30 PM Attended SUR 272 - Cadastral Surveying lecture and had an open-discussion with sophomore students.

5:00 PM Attended joint meeting with other campus IAC committees.

5:30 PM Attended meeting with Dr. Paul Schwartz, Director of Academic Affairs, to discuss committee recommendations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Committee found that concerns relating to the instruction on the PA municipal planning codes is being satisfactorily covered in course SUR 375 - Land Use Controls.
• Students have requested that more surveying courses be available during the summer. The faculty stated that if enough students are willing to take a course in the summer, that it would be no problem to offer it over the summer. See Summer internet course.
• Students expressed a concern over the number of credits of Physics required in the BS curriculum. The faculty pointed out that the ACSM sponsored RAC-ABET guidelines require 15 credits of sciences be taught with the subject area of physics being expressly mentioned.
• The library holdings have been reviewed. It was agreed that they have been improved satisfactorily. More than 60 books from ACSM are on order, the library has more than 60 books in its stacks, and PSU libraries has over 180 books available for student use.
• The committee would like to have access to completed student questionnaires on the program. Dr. Schwartz response: Will try to find past questionnaires. Committee proposed that questionnaire on program be given every three years.
• The program needs more sophisticated computers which was also discussed in the joint meeting with other program industrial advisory committees. Campus is buying 16 computers plus a server.
• Campus needs to have additional and more affordable housing. Committee should write a letter to that effect to Dr. Robert E. Dunham (vice-president of CES).
• More signs on interstates and highways. Dr. Schwartz response: CEO says signs are being added in area. Dr. Ghilani response: A page providing directions and maps to the campus are provided on the Surveying Program web site (click here to view directions.)
• Engineering computer labs should have more flexible hours. Dr. Schwartz response: Will refer to computer committee.

respectfully submitted,

Charles I. Harpster