MINUTES

Air Conditioning Advisory Committee Meeting

March 28, 2002

The Air Conditioning Advisory Committee met on Thursday, March 28, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Founders Federal Credit Union Conference Room of the Engineering Technology Building. Mr. Smith, Advisory Board Chairman conducted the meeting. Members attending the meeting were Mr. Russ Smith, Smith's Heating and Air; Mr. Larry Gregory, C.C. Dickson Company; Dr. Marc Tarplee, IET Division Dean; Mr. Rod Trump, York Technical College HVACR Department Manager and Mr. Sonny Roach, York Technical College HVACR Instructor.

A light meal was served and Mr. Smith convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Trump distributed the copies of Air Conditioning Advisory Committee Meeting minutes from December 4, 2001. Dr. Tarplee made the motion to accept the minutes without change and Mr. Smith seconded the motion. The minutes were accepted by a unanimous vote.

Old business: Recommendations for new members were as follows: Thomas Bratton, Smith's Heating and Air Norman Leifried, York Robert Hill, Winthrop University Keth Ellis, U.S. Foodservice Mike Eddings, Panther Heating and Cooling, Inc. Steve Johnson, Panther Heating and Cooling, Inc. All members were asked if they had any reason for not allowing any of the above prospective members to join. There were no objections. It was agreed that present members would ask prospective new members if they would be interested in joining and reply at the September meeting.

Dr. Tarplee spoke briefly about partnership with industry and consigned equipment. Mr. Trump reviewed the proposed program changes as discussed at the last meeting. Dr. Tarplee requested the program changes in to him by May to begin in the Fall 2003 semester. Mr. Smith pointed out that it would be better for students to earn certificates, which could then be applied towards a diploma or degree. In his opinion, quick completion of a certificate would give a student basic skills which would increase his probability of finding a co-op position. The committee believes that co-op employment is much easier to secure after a student has acquired some basic know-how

New business: The group discussed lobbing by the SCHAAC that would require all contractors to be licensed and all technicians to be certified, and the effect this would have on the program and student replacement. The group agreed that placement rates can be maintained only by pursuing PAHRA program accreditation and requiring that all students take the Industry Competency Exam (ICE). The accreditation process is expected take about three years. The group believes that all HVAC/R contractors should take this test so they are familiar with the content. The placement rate for certified students is expected to be 100%. Lennox is pushing for all technicians working on Lennox equipment to be NATE certified. More of the larger companies will tend to follow.

Dr. Tarplee asked if we should change the content of what we are teaching. Mr. Smith replied that employers do not want a new person working on their most expensive piece of machinery. Employers are looking for entry-level students with basic knowledge. Because most maintenance mechanics need some HVAC/R training, the ACR program should consider offering short certificate programs to train these personnel in HVAC/R. The certificates should be designed to allow the student to build on these certificates to obtain higher credentials.

Dr. Tarplee reviewed the seven standards for advisory committee effectiveness, reminding the committee to keep the standards in mind, when setting the agenda for the next meeting. He advised members to review the list of standards in the back of their Advisory Committee Manual, which was distributed at the last meeting.

Dr. Tarplee and Mr. Smith conducted a brief self-evaluation of the committee's work during academic year 2001-2002. The committee was given good marks for its work on program development, and suggestions on program revisions. The following areas for improvement were also identified: the committee needs to seek new members and its members need to provide leadership to local industry in technician certification.

The committee has asked that room D-20 be converted to a smart classroom. They believe that student learning can be enhanced by taking advantage of the wide range of multi-media materials available

Computers, desk, and chairs have arrived for D-18 classroom, pursuant to an earlier recommendation by the committee. This will allow the students to supplement their shop experience with computer based instruction and simulation.

The next meeting would be held in the Founders Federal Credit Union Room of the IMP Building at 6:30 p.m. on September 19, 2002. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Sonny Roach