Industrial Advisory Committee

Pennsylvania State University – Wilkes Barre Campus

October 28, 1999

Minutes as they occurred:

• Welcome from Dr. Thomas A. Seybert
• Review of minutes from March 24, 1999 meeting
• Welcome and report from Mary Hines (Campus Executive Officer)
  1. The assignment of a Chief Academic Officer/Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese (email address: jds25@psu.edu).
  2. Math Department:
  • Increased tutorial support programs.
  • Placement exams for assignment of students to appropriate courses.
  • Altered class schedules to provide students with more choices of class times.
  • Added a credit for some math courses to increase the in-time class work for added support.
  • Reassigning of faculty to different courses.
  • Supplementing math faculty with faculty who have engineering backgrounds.
• Campus Life:
• Added a campus volleyball court.
• Extended common-hour on Tuesday and Thursday.
• Housing alternatives are still being explored.
• Out-of-State Costs:
• The Wilkes-Barre Campus has no control over Penn State University tuition structure and rates. Although, a review of these policies is underway.
• Computer Facilities:
• All computers on campus are being upgraded forY2K.
• Dr. Senese ensured that in the future, any computer room rescheduling that affects room T20 will be confirmed by either Dr. Seybert or Dr. Ghilani.
• Program Overview by Dr. Seybert
• Bachelor of Science in Surveying Accredited by ABET in September, 1999 (For the period of Fall 1998 – Spring 2004).
• Faculty Development:
• Dr. Wesley Parks obtained registration as a professional land surveyor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Student Enrollment
• Equipment Acquisition
• The need for GPS equipment was stressed.
• Dr. Senese volunteered his services in order to attempt to acquire grants from foundations in order to purchase updated equipment for the surveying program.
• First – Year Seminar


• It was determined that the IAC will construct a letter to Dr. Senese. This letter will strongly recommend that faculty with an Engineering background instruct the Technical Math courses along with the 1st and 2nd degree calculus courses.
• Review of the Accreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Surveying at the Pennsylvania State University – Wilkes-Barre campus, granted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
• Luncheon and Dialogue Session with students:
1. Student Society Report
2. The IAC recommends that the students make their time at the 2000 State Surveyors Conference a “learning experience”.
3. Physics:
• The subject matter in Physics 150/151 is not related to surveying applications.
• The committee noted that a possible solution would be to have faculty in the Physics Department with an engineering background.
4. Math:
• The students are interested in having a learning support center for math only, similar to the current writing center.
• Surveying Faculty:
• The students are pleased with the surveying instructors on a normal basis.
• The students were frustrated by some of the normal course structure changes that occurred due to the absence of Dr. Ghilani.
• The committee suggested that in the future, if a surveying faculty member takes a leave of absence, the remaining faculty members should put as much time and effort into ensuring that the students do not become frustrated because of faculty changes.
• Co-op Program:
• The possibilities were discussed for developing a Co-op program for surveying students in order to gain experience and better understand course material.
• Scholarships:
• The students expressed interest in applying for ACSM scholarships.
• Computer room (T20) scheduling problems:
• The committee informed the students that steps are being taken to rectify the scheduling problems.
• Campus Facilities:
• The students spoke about the lack of quiet study areas with comfortable temperatures on campus. The library would be used more if the temperature were not so hot within the building.
• It was noted that the Surveying Society office in the commons area could also be used for a quiet study area.
• The students were pleased with increased hours at the student commons/cafeteria.
• Some of the buildings on campus were closing before regularly scheduled hours.
• Campus housing is adequate.
5. Committee Tasks:
1. Election/Appointment of 1999-2000 Officers:
• John D. Lewis (IAC Committee Chair)
• John Fuehrer (IAC Committee Advisor to the Chair)
• New member nominations:
• Robert E. Garlitz, Ed Northrup, Don Kamp, John K. Seamans.
• These men must be contacted concerning their interest.
• A letter will be distributed to all members in order to confirm each member’s intentions to remain an active member.
2. It has been decided by the committee that if a member is absent from two consecutive meetings without a reasonable excuse, he/she will be eligible for removal from the committee.
3. Summarizing content of student dialogue session.
4. Task IV:Review of employer/student questionnaire for 2SRT program.
5. If there are any questions or comments contact Dr. Seybert.
6. Recommend Mission Statement & Goals and Objectives for 2SRT program.
7. Review of meeting minutes with Dr. Hines.
8. March 15^th, 2000 was set as a tentative date for the IAC Committee to meet with graduating students and conduct exit interviews.

Meeting attendance:

                                                  John Fuehrer
                                                Douglas A. Kramer
                                                Wendy Lathrop
                                                Duke Bishop
                                                Ron Oberlander
                                                Joseph Dolan
                                                Dr. Thomas Seybert
                                                Dr. Wesley Parks
                                                Scott C. Hoover