Trustees learn about possibilities for engineering at Western: BOT recap for Feb. 9-10
[ Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion. ]
Western’s Board of Trustees heard a proposal on possibilities to elevate and build upon Western’s world-class Engineering Technology program to offer engineering degrees in order to help address the state of Washington’s growing need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs. One projection shows that by 2018 the state of Washington will have the third largest demand for STEM jobs in the nation. Employers in the state will need many more engineers, and soon. For instance, 50 percent of Boeing’s engineers will be eligible to retire by 2015.
Jeff Wright, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology; Todd Morton, professor, Engineering Technology; Brad Johnson, professor, Physics/Astronomy; and Geoff Matthews, professor, Computer Science, discussed with the trustees the proposal for launching a new engineering program.
In other business, the trustees:
- Heard a presentation by Eileen Coughlin, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services, and Kathy Kitto, special assistant to the Provost for Strategic Initiatives, on the planning process for development of Western’s Six Year Plan.
- Heard a presentation by Brad Smith, dean, Huxley College of the Environment; Michael Medler, professor, Environmental Studies; Leo Bodensteiner, professor, Environmental Sciences and Rebekah Green, research associate, Environmental Studies, on the Huxley Green Paper.
- Approved a resolution authoring the refinancing of the Student Recreation Center Fee Revenue Bonds Series 2002 and Provide Up To $2.5 Million for Recreation Improvements.
- Approved awarding an honorary doctoral degree to internationally renowned sculptor Do-Ho Suh. His artwork “Cause & Effect” has been commissioned for the Academic Instructional Center at Western.
- Heard a presentation by Tim Costello, director, Center for Service Learning, and Sheila Webb, assistant professor of Journalism, on the Center for Service Learning and the many ways service learning benefits both Western students’ learning and the community.
- Heard an update on the comprehensive campaign by Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement.
- Heard an update on state legislative activity by Sherry Burkey, associate vice president for University Relations.
The trustees also recognized:
- Bob Schneider, director of Administrative Computer Services (ADMCS), for his leadership in ADMCS and contributions to many projects, such as the Banner Finance Initiatives and the Millennium data warehouse implementation; and the recent national recognition given to Western by University Business magazine for being named as a “Model of Efficiency” for Western’s E-sign form process.
- Billie Watts, Application Systems Manager, ADMCS, for her leadership and collaboration skills in bringing Western a mindset of continual improvement. That includes several important university projects.
- Western alumni serving in the Peace Corps. Western ranks second among the top medium-sized colleges and universities with alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers in the 2012 rankings. That is the highest ever ranking for Western. Tina Loudon, director, Academic and Career Development Services and Susan Anderson, career counselor III, Academic and Career Development Services, accepted recognition on behalf of Western and its Peace Corps volunteers.
Meeting documents are available at the Board of Trustees website.