The meeting was called to order at 10:45 AM. Dr. Ghilani announced that the surveying brochure (reviewed and revised by the Advisory Committee last fall) was at the printer and will be sent to various 2 year schools and surveying conferences.
Changes in the LSIT exam were noted and will go into effect October 1999. New areas of testing will cover: GIS; business law, management and economics; computer operations and programming; basic sciences. Greater emphasis is being placed on: surveying/mapping history; higher math; probablility and statistics; measurement analysis and data acquisition. Questions arose as to possible changes in the PSU curriculum to address the new knowledge areas, and whether the registration board will change its view of surveying as a result of the change in national testing focus.
The committee reviewed the draft curriculum. A need for hand drafting before computer drafting was related to practical experience and graphic communication skills. There was concern that many of the electives noted in the curriculum are not available on campus. John Fuehrer asked for examples of how engineering projects (sewer and water extension and road extensions) are covered in the curriculum to forward these to the licensing board to assist that agency in understanding the current practical definition of surveying. The issue of how a mandatory four year degree for licensure would effect the existing curriculum was discussed. As a result, there was a question on what passing rates on the exam for 2 year degree students taking just the LSIT portions of the exam, as opposed to their rate taking the entire exam.
Dr. Ghilani announced that 5 on-line courses will be available. Enrollment information is on the website. the courses are standard 15 credit classes, and will take a student 2 years to complete all of them.
The Committee met with four students over lunch to discuss their views of PSU, the curriculum, and surveying expectations. Regarding the campus, food is still poor but the heating system seems to be working better.
Students expressed frustration with some people playing games on computers in the labs when others are trying to get on the machines to do projects, and would like all games deleted from the system. They complained that the computer labs are not open past 10 P.M., that they are not open at all on Saturdays, and only are open 3 hours on Sunday. A new plotter is needed as the current ink jet does not have sufficient memory. A zip drive is also desirable. Students noted frequency of computer hardware crashes, and believed that more maintenance is necessary. Perhaps a "new users" orientation would help prevent some of the problems associated with people incorrectly inserting disks or hitting multiple keys in frustration at not getting the computer response they expect. Presently only 8 students have security accounts (GIS students have passwords), and they recommended that passwords be issued to everyone. There is a problem because drawings are too big to put on diskettes, but leaving them on the hard drive subjects them to anyone's access. Anyone can delete anything from any computer at this time.
Students would like to see more electives available on campus, and expressed particular interest in dendrology and soils classes. Structure of the program does limit opportunities to take electives, as many required courses are alternate year offerings, and consequently sometimes the electives available are not particularly suitable for advanced surveying students (a senior related a basic English elective as an example of all that would fit his schedule). Economics for Engineers would be a preferred economics course to the ones presently listed in the curriculum. English 202 could be taken earlier in the program since SUR 372, which it is supposed to complement, only covers deed descriptions. Students and committee members had an extended discussion about expected starting salaries and business expectations.
On return of Dr. Ghilani, concern over fallout from the student survey chapter was expressed. Students may not receive the same breaks for the PSLS conference as in the past, due to inactivity.
Three of five graduates returned the "exit interview" survey forms. Members of the committee expressed interest in participating in face-to-face exit interviews rather than mailed forms, in order to gain more complete information and make the experience more personal.
ABET requirements were reviewed. No changes have been made to affect the current curriculum, although future changes are proposed. Exams are to become more outcome based rather than based upon specific curriculum. Prior discussion on the LSIT exam is relevant here. Changes in the exam puts more emphasis on the role of advisory committees.
The committee joined Dr. Seybert's class in a field exercise of staking out curves. Dr. Seybert expressed a desire to have so many enthusiastic assistant instructors in every class.
On returning inside, the committee met with administrative members, and conveyed the student concerns expressed earlier.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Lathrop, PLS
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