Dean’s Council Meeting
Industrial and Engineering Technologies
March 26, 2003
11:00 a.m.—Room D-24
Members
Present: Gary Bach, Air Conditioning
Eric Brown, Machine Tool Technology
Sean Cook, Machine Tool Technology
Randy
Hosenfeld, Electronics Engineering Technology
Travis Johnson, Machine Tool Technology
Jonathan Leagon, Machine Tool Technology
Jim
Long, Computer Engineering Technology
Dr.
Tarplee reported that he and some faculty members within the IET Division
recently began wearing picture identification cards as an experiment.
He explained that he would like to see if the practice has any effect on
campus security, especially in areas such as the computer labs.
He asked the students for their thoughts. A few students said they do not think picture IDs are
necessary since the campus is not a high-security-risk area. Gray Bach mentioned that the nametags currently worn by
faculty and staff were very helpful to him when he was a new student, but
pointed out that anyone could access and falsely wear nametags of College
personnel.
Dr.
Tarplee followed up on several topics that were brought to his attention by
council members in last October’s meeting, including the following:
EET Program
and Scheduling.
Dr. Tarplee reported that he and Dr. Cree Stout are working on revising
the Electronics Engineering Technology program.
Planned changes include replacing MAT 178 and MAT 179.
Two options are currently under review:
MAT 175, 176, and 177; and MAT 110, 111, and 130.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has determined that
some degree programs in the technical college system have lengthened their
programs to the point that students often cannot graduate within a reasonable
timeframe. The Commission
recommends these programs be reduced in size.
Dr. Tarplee supports this decision.
He and Dr. Stout plan to reduce the total credit hours of the Electronics
Engineering Technology program to 68.0. They
would like to offer more electives so students can select specialized areas.
Anderson Road
Turn Signal. The
request for a left-turn signal at the College’s entrance from Anderson Road
was denied by the Department of Transportation.
Engineering
Transfer Program. Prerequisite
changes have been made for several courses in the Engineering Transfer program
and will appear in the 2003-2004 College Catalog and Handbook.
Dr. Tarplee reported that he would be meeting soon with USC
administrators to determine the sequence of course offerings.
He added that the program’s enrollment has increased.
Parking.
Due to lack of resources, there are currently no plans to add additional
parking. The “parking by permit only” signs marking some spaces will remain
in place. These spaces are reserved
as temporary parking for students, faculty, and staff who may have special
needs. Students can obtain
the permits from Student Services.
Eric Brown questioned the lottery’s impact on technical colleges. Dr. Tarplee replied that eligible students currently benefit from lottery-funded tuition assistance. Eligible students enrolled in the Spring Semester have received or will receive tuition assistance of $77 per credit hour. The legislature can determine lottery-funded tuition amounts, if any, on an annual basis. Lottery-tuition assistance will be available for eligible students this summer, but the maximum amount of the award has not been determined yet. Students must have completed a FAFSA for 2002-2003 in order to be considered for eligibility.
The Machine Tool students would like for CNC Programming courses, which are currently offered only in the Summer Term, to be offered during the Fall Semester as well. They feel the course material is too extensive to be covered in ten weeks. They also pointed out that many students might not be able to attend summer classes without sufficient lottery-funded tuition assistance. Dr. Tarplee explained that the CNC courses are scheduled in the summer because the diploma program is a three-semester program, which begins in the fall and ends in the summer. Students planning to graduate from the diploma program, but do not wish to pursue the general technology degree, must take the courses in the summer in order to graduate on track. Dr. Tarplee said that he would be willing to offer the courses in the fall if enough students were interested.
Jim Long asked if the connected desk and chair units in some classrooms could be replaced because they are small and uncomfortable. Dr. Tarplee responded that the IET Division now has larger desks with separate chairs in the majority of classrooms. He will inform the other deans of Mr. Long’s comment.
Randy Hosenfeld reported on the problem of standing water in front of the library. Dr. Tarplee said that he would ask Physical Plant/Maintenance to look into the matter.
Gary Bach said that he and two other Air Conditioning students are taking EEM 251 Programmable Controllers along with a majority of Industrial Electricity/Electronics students. He said that the Air Conditioning students seem to be at a disadvantage because they have not studied motor controls extensively as the other students. The Air Conditioning students often do not understand the course material being covered, even though the instructor is very helpful. Dr. Tarplee replied that he and Rod Trump were aware of the situation and planned to add material on motors into Air Conditioning courses.
The Machine Tool students reported on a similar problem. They said that some students enter the program with no knowledge or experience in machining. The students do not have an understanding of the very basics, and their questions are sometimes not answered sufficiently. They said that they often answer questions from the other students to help them with the basics. Dr. Tarplee acknowledged that students do start at different levels, which can be frustrating. He said that he is working with the Applied Technology Center and hopes to offer dual credit courses to high school students next year, which would better prepare students to enter the program.
Dr. Tarplee welcomed the students to see him anytime they have questions or concerns.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Neely
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Neely