AIR CONDITIONING DEPARTMENT

YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

 Advisory Committee Meeting

April 9, 2003

 The Air Conditioning Advisory Committee met on Wednesday, April 9, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Corral Restaurant.  The following members were present:  Dr. Marc Tarplee, IET Division Dean, John Bratton, Smith’s Heating and Air, Barry Faulkner, Smith’s Heating and Air, Tony Todd, R.E. Michael Company, Inc., Larry Gregory, C.C. Dickson Co., Rod Trump, ACR Department Manager, and Sonny Roach, ACR Instructor.  Committee members who were unable to attend the meeting included Sam Pardue, Sam’s Repair Inc.; Tim O’Brien, Panther Heating and Cooling, Inc., Pete Carroll, BB&T Refrigeration, Inc. and Benny Etters, Airtek.

 Mr. Gregory, committee chairperson, convened the meeting.  Rod Trump distributed the minutes of the September 19, 2002 meeting.  A motion for approval of the minutes was made by Mr. Todd and seconded by Mr. Gregory.

Dr. Tarplee updated the committee on the financial situation facing the Technical College System and York Technical College in particular.  The state now provides less than 50% of the college’s funding.  He stated that there would be very little, if any, money for new equipment for the next three years.  Dr. Tarplee stated to the committee that equipment donations would be very important and asked them for their help.

Old Business:

The technician entry level Industry Competency Exam (ICE) was discussed.  The three graduating students who took the exam scored an average of 91% compared to averages of 64% statewide and 68% nationwide.  The $30.00 cost of the Ice Exam is a problem for students.  It has been recommended that coupons be sold in the bookstore to cover the exam cost.  Many financial aid programs will cover the cost if required for the program.  If students do not complete the Ice Exam and CFC exams, they may be unemployable.  The three areas tested by the ICE Exams are: Residential Heating and Air Conditioning, Light Commercial Heating, and Air Conditioning and Commercial Refrigeration.  Mr. Bratton suggested students take the Light Commercial and Residential Ice Exams. 

 North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Testing:  Trane Company is recognizing NATE certified technician with discounts to dealers on Trane products. York Technical College has been approved as a NATE testing center.  The department is in the process of determining what material has to be covered and approved for training.  Mr. Trump estimated that 30-40 would be required for a prep course.

New Business:

Program Changes:  Mr. Trump proposed that the ACR program move in the direction of multiple certificates.  This would allow a student to complete in a shorter period of time.  Students could complete multiple certificates plus the required academics and receive a diploma if they desired.  Recommended certificates are Basic Electrical Certificate, Technician Certificate, Installers Certificate, and Advanced Air Conditioning Certificate.  Mr. Bratton agreed and stated that employers would be more receptive to sending their employees if they could complete a program in one or two semesters.  The entire committee recommended the ACR Department adopt multiple smaller certificates.

 Mr. Todd asked if the department offered a duct design class.  Mr. Trump stated that basic duct design and air flow were currently covered in ACR 120 Basic Air Conditioning.  Mr. Todd stated that this was an important topic that needed to be covered at some point in the program. 

The General Technology will consist of 68.0 credit hours beginning in Fall Semester 2003.  Mr. Todd asked which courses were being dropped.  Mr. Trump replied that IMT 150 Boilers and ACR 225 Industrial Air Conditioning would probably not be taught.

Mr. Trump stated that Heat Pumps were not currently taught in the first year but this would have to change if Diploma students were to be able to pass the ICE exam.  The department is presently looking at discontinuing Domestic Refrigeration in order to insert the Heat Pump course into the ACR Diploma.  Mr. Gregory stated that he sells very few parts for domestic refrigeration.  Mr. Batton stated that it was cheaper to replace refrigerators than pay for a service call unless the unit was under warranty or fairly new.

Mr. Trump stated that the department now has an oil package unit as recommended by the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Tarplee and Mr. Trump both stressed how important the committee’s recommendations were to keeping the program current with equipment in the field. 

Industry Update:  Mr. Trump informed the committee that a license from the S.C. Residential Homebuilders Association would be required for installers of equipment from 0 – 5 tons.  Contractors that could prove being in business for 2 years would be grandfathered if they applied prior to December 31, 2002.  After this time, new contractors would be required to pass an exam.

Committee Meeting Format:  Since this was the first time a committee meeting was held off campus, Mr. Trump asked if the members wished to continue at least one off campus meeting per year.  Mr. Todd stated that it was nice but his reason for being a member was to help improve the program and not for the meal.  All members agreed and a consensus was reached to hold meetings on the York Technical College campus.

Mr. Tarplee said that there was a need to talk of student and faculty recruitment.  The ACR program at the Rock Hill Applied Technology Center was being discontinued do to lack of students.  The instructor was retiring and enrollment did not justify the program.  Mr. Todd stated that students need a true picture of the industry.  Mr. Tarplee stated that there is a need to project excitement of the ACR industry showing fun, exciting jobs, and opportunities.  Money is not the main motive that drives middle school students.

The committee decided to meet again in September, 2003.

Mr. Tony Todd adjourned the meeting, and Mr. Larry Gregory seconded it.     

Respectfully submitted,

Sonny Roach

ACR Instructor