Dean’s Council Meeting
Industrial and Engineering Technologies Division
October 31, 2002
11:00 a.m.—Room D-24
Members
Present: Eugene Bach, Air
Conditioning
Eric Brown, Machine Tool Technology
Joseph Hammond, Machine Tool Technology
Randy Hosenfeld, Electronics Engineering Technology
Travis Johnson, Machine Tool Technology
Jonathon Leagon, Machine Tool Technology
Jim
Long, Computer Engineering Technology
Jarrett Soles, Engineering Transfer (MET)
Roger West, Industrial Maintenance
The 2002-2003 Dean’s Council met during Activity Period on Thursday, October 31, 2002 in Room D-24. All members were in attendance. Dr. Marc Tarplee, Dean of the Industrial and Engineering Technologies Division, introduced himself to council members and welcomed them to the meeting. Dr. Tarplee explained that the Dean’s Council provides students with an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns, as well as offer recommendations on how the College may better serve its students. Dean’s Council members also serve as representatives for their classmates. Dr. Tarplee welcomed the students to stop by his office in D-19 should they want to discuss anything or have questions. Students can also reach him by phone at 327.8019, or by e-mail at mtarplee@yorktech.com.
Randy Hosenfeld commented on course scheduling. He said that the math courses required in his program have not been offered in sequence with his schedule of study, which will delay his graduation. Dr. Tarplee responded that the engineering math courses, MAT 178 and MAT 179, are required only for students in the engineering technology programs, which means that only a few students out of the entire College will register for them. If enrollment in the courses is too low, Dr. Frank Caldwell, Math Department Manager, is forced to cancel them. This is often the reason that math courses fall out of sequence with the planned schedule of study. The possibility of replacing MAT 178 and MAT 179—both five contact-hour courses—with three contact-hour courses is being investigated. The replacement courses could also be options for students in other programs, which could in turn increase enrollment. In the meantime, Dr. Tarplee asks that students let him know if they need a course that is not scheduled. If several students need the course and are willing to commit to registering, Dr. Tarplee said that he would ask Dr. Caldwell to consider running it. Students would need to alert Dr. Tarplee in time for him to work with Dr. Caldwell.
Joseph Hammond asked Dr. Tarplee if the General Technology degree program with a concentration in Machine Tool Technology would be replaced with a Machine Tool degree program. He said that he has heard rumors of this. Dr. Tarplee replied that the General Technology program would continue; however, some changes are being considered for the General Technology/Machine Tool Technology curriculum with EGT courses making up the secondary technical specialty. Dr. Tarplee added that an Associate Degree in Industrial Technology in Industrial Maintenance would likely replace the current General Technology/Industrial Maintenance curriculum in approximately three years.
Jarrett Soles asked if the differential equations course would be offered in the Spring Semester. Dr. Tarplee replied that the course would be offered in the distance-learning format. It will be broadcast live via two-way video from Midlands Technical College. Dr. Tarplee added that he and several faculty members on campus would be available to tutor students if needed.
Mr. Soles reported that several classmates in the Engineering Transfer program are concerned about course prerequisites. He said that some students in his EGR 260 class are struggling, especially those who do not have a strong background in calculus. Dr. Tarplee said that department manager and instructor, Mohammad Hossain, combined the day sections of EGR 190 and EGR 260 this semester as an experiment. Both sections had low enrollment and were combined into one class. One course is algebra-based and the other is calculus-based. Dr. Tarplee said that students in the class are not on the same math level, and Mr. Hossain is finding that some are having difficulty.
Mr. Soles said that it seems most of the more difficult courses in the Engineering Transfer program are scheduled for the last semester. He asked Dr. Tarplee if the difficult courses could be spread out so they would not all come at the end. Dr. Tarplee replied that the curriculum is scheduled in the order specified by the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, but he would look into rescheduling possibilities.
Roger West commented on the recently completed renovations to the Welding Shop. He said that he especially likes the new lighting. He asked Dr. Tarplee if similar renovations would be made in the Industrial Maintenance Shop. Dr. Tarplee reported that the WNSC Channel 30 station is moving out of Building D and into the new Science and Technologies Building in early 2003. The area vacated by the station will be renovated within the next twelve to fifteen months, and the Industrial Maintenance Shop will relocate into Building D.
Mr. West reported that he has heard that the various electricity courses for Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Electricity, Automotive, and Air Conditioning programs might be combined into one course. Dr. Tarplee responded that the idea has been discussed, but is currently not planned for implementation. Dr. Tarplee pointed out that the concept of electricity is the same in all the courses, and it would be more efficient to have one basic electricity course for all industrial programs excluding Automotive, which deals only with low-voltage DC electricity.
Mr. West said that he is having difficulty in his English class. He asked Dr. Tarplee if the administration would consider a lower-level English class for industrial programs. Dr. Tarplee answered no and stressed the importance of English for effective oral and written communication.
Jim Long expressed concern over the high volume of traffic driving into the campus from Anderson Road. He asked if the College has considered a left-turn signal into the campus from Anderson Road. Dr. Tarplee said that traffic lights and signals are managed by the City of Rock Hill, but he would relay the suggestion to the administration. Mr. Long also shared his recent difficulty of getting into Building D while on crutches. The pavement is slippery when wet. Dr. Tarplee said that he would see if something could be done to improve the condition.
Several students commented on inadequate parking in the lot next to Buildings C and D. Dr. Tarplee replied that there is no room for expansion in the lot, but suggested parking in other lots including those at the Baxter Hood Center. Students also expressed confusion by the “parking by permit” signs marking some parking spaces. Some students thought the signs referred to York Tech decals, but were ticketed upon parking in them. Dr. Tarplee said that “parking by permit” spaces are reserved for the handicapped. He agreed that the signs are confusing and said that he would bring the matter up in his next Deans’ meeting. Reserved spaces for the handicapped should be marked with appropriate signage. Students would also like to have one space in the Visitor’s Parking area along the front of Building C designated as 30-minute parking.
Dr. Tarplee asked the students for their thoughts on lecture sections of second year courses being taught on-line, with labs being taught on campus. The students rejected this idea and maintained that they generally prefer traditional classes.
Dr. Tarplee thanked the students for participating on the Dean’s Council. He noted that this year’s group is very vocal, and expressed his appreciation for the recommendations and opinions. The next meeting is scheduled on March 26, 2003 at 11:00 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Neely