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Winter 2008 Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

January 28, 2008 12:00 p.m.

Room C-258 Parkview Campus

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Present: Dennis Randolph (WadeTrim), Rex Bell (Miller Davis Company), Mia Silver(MDOT), Angela Kline (Calhoun County Road Commission), Tim Mitchell (Soils and Mechanics, Inc.) Josh Host (CH2M), Haluk Aktan, Osama Abudayyeh, Sherif Yehia, Jun-Seok Oh, Ahmad Jrade, Hubo Cai Upul Attanayake.

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1. Senior design parameters and constraints

a. A draft document describing "capstone design factory" was presented by Dr. Aktan. The document described the industry-university relationship for the teaching of the capstone design in civil and construction curriculum.

b. Dr. Yehia explained the capstone course sequence of CCE 4830 and CCE 4850 is organized to help students establish the design teams and develop their project plans and timelines. (See handout)

2. Discussion from the group

a. The group stated that when presenting to possible companies for both sponsorship and a mentor would have to stress that the person would have to have a passion for the project and our program.

b. Having this partnership with industry gives the companies leverage to teach technology and other skills and tools with the university to work together for the future. Faculty would be closely involved as well to insure the processes are maintained.

c. Dr. Aktan suggested that the group develop a process in soliciting and identifying projects, review the projects and select numbers that are going to work. Set up minimum requirements and components for projects.

d. Faculty suggested that we have a database with different project ideas (initially 10-12), have company contacts and let the students decide which project to choose.

e. The Faculty and the board agreed to establish a brochure to summarize projects, descriptions, and constraints to encourage companies in order to build the database.

f. The group decided to start collecting ideas and contacts to have a list by the end of Summer II 2008. In addition also setup outline of expectations and project guidelines. A draft "Re-engineering Capstone Design" was handed out and reviewed by the group.

i. The faculty will select the projects and work with the student groups along with industry to achieve the senior design goals and experience.

ii. The draft was a start to get feedback and a base to approach a company/industry which includes restrictions, requirements, and expectations that are clear and understandable.

iii. It was suggested to add a milestone or timeline to the company as well.

iv. Dr. Aktan asked the group how to put the project pool together and to update every year which includes the following:

1. Set up guidelines
2. Complete by April/May 2008.
3. Send out in PDF format to Industry, Student societies, Associations, and affiliations.

3. Industry Advisory Board Mission and Membership.

a. The group was asked for input in regards to the board members. They were asked to submit two to three names and Dr. Aktan would meet with the individually to discuss what being on the board requires.

i. The department will review the names and then contact them. Members on the board don't necessarily have to be a civil or construction engineer but has to be like-minded people with a passion for our program.

b. The group was also asked to review the curriculum, compare performance and how to improve program to help with accreditation.

c. The group was also asked on to develop ideas for increasing the recourses coming into the program and department.

4. The next meeting will have a tour of the facilities at the end of summer.
5. Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.