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  • 07 Apr 2016 4:02 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    By Tim Kent

    The past few months has brought changes to the educational opportunities for geomatics and surveying that will affect the future of our profession. If there ever is a time to be aware of and become active in supporting the surveying and geomatics education programs, it is now. This of course is not news to many but with the continued dwindling of students in surveying and geomatics programs across the nation, it has become a crisis. No longer can we support a program that has low enrollment by writing letters and calling the college president or dean stating how much we need the program. The time is now for all of us to recruit new students and to contribute monetarily to college programs.

    Last year brought a new model for managing and directing all colleges in Oregon. Each college became an independent public body and has its’ own Board of Trustees that has the authority to approve the mission, programs, budgets and strategies of the university and then forward them to the higher education commission for final approval. Add to the new model of doing business the recent announced retirements of the Dean, College of Engineering, Technology and Management (where the Department of Geomatics is located), the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the request by the college president to not renew his contract for next year, there will be some changes at Oregon Tech. Change is inevitable when the top three positions of leadership are new to an institution and time will tell how this will affect the college programs.

    Last month brought another change to the Geomatics program. The Provost announced the suspension of the upper two years of the Geomatics program at Wilsonville effective June 30th. This came as a mild surprise to the Geomatics staff but not entirely unexpected. The decision to offer the program at Wilsonville beginning in 2012 was based upon a polling of surveying professionals that indicated over fifty people would attend classes at that location. There were none the first year which was expected but then there were none in the following years either. The only students that ever attended were transfer students from Clark College in Vancouver. An opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree in surveying in the Portland metro is no longer available. The program can be revived if it can be documented (not merely surmised) that a sufficient number of students will enroll and the profession assists with providing equipment for the program.

    If you believe in your profession and feel committed to keeping it a profession, then the time is now to make sure it continues. Recruitment and mentorship of new surveyors and contributions to college programs needs to occur now. Like it or not, education is the key to our profession. We can no longer be competitive without it, or continue to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.


  • 30 Mar 2016 3:46 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)


    CLICK IMAGE FOR REGISTRATION, HOTEL AND SEMINAR INFORMATION

  • 29 Feb 2016 12:31 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    OIT Land Surveying Workshop

    Oregon Tech Alumni Association and Geomatics Program are proud to present this year's Land Surveying workshop on March 25th in Wilsonville.  Click for more information.


  • 29 Feb 2016 10:45 AM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    It's that time again! National Surveyors Week is this month. Here are ways you can help raise awareness about the profession:

    1.) Support NGS Efforts by recovering Bench Marks

    • For details on the NGS national effort click here.
    • Watch the one-hour NGS webinar on the 2015 program here.
    • If you choose to observe a mark with a 4+ hour session, please share your solution here.
    2.) Share surveying photos and promote the profession through your company and personal social media accounts. Great platforms include: Facebook, Instagram, Blogging, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit. To read more about integrating social media platforms into your company communications, click here

    3.) Contact a local elementary school or your child's teacher and request to make a 20-minute presentation on what surveyors do.

    4.) Share everything you did with PLSO


  • 28 Feb 2016 2:40 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO), a non-profit trade association that represents the surveying profession in Oregon, announced Albert Hertel as the 2015 Surveyor of the Year. Hertel is President of Caswell/Hertel Surveyors, Inc. in Beaverton.

    “Surveyor of the Year is one the highest honors that PLSO bestows,” explained Aimee McAuliffe, Executive Director of PLSO. “The honoree has to demonstrate a history of high competence, integrity and professionalism, as well as assisted other surveyors in advancement within the profession. Al Hertel has demonstrated this throughout his career.”

    After graduating from Oregon Technical Institute, Hertel worked for a local engineering firm for a time before a four-year enlistment in the United States Navy – including an “all-expense paid” trip to Viet Nam for a year.  Upon returning, Hertel progressed from survey technician to owner at Caswell/Hertel Surveyors. He has been involved in many projects from both the public and private sectors, from boundary and subdivision work to utility and street surveys. Having filed over 1,200 Records of Survey and Plats in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah Counties alone, Hertel has left his mark on the development of the local community.

    In addition to his firm, Hertel has been a member of PLSO since 1988. He has served as the local Pioneer Chapter’s Secretary-Treasurer for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. He is a steady volunteer at numerous Career Fairs and has sponsored the Trig Star program at Valley Catholic High School, as well as proctoring exams at Beaverton School of Science Technology, Glencoe High and St. Stevens High School. Trig Star is a national program set up to promote the study and mastery of trigonometry by honoring the individual student who has demonstrated superior skill among classmates at the High School level. It is a gate way to acquaint students with the use and practical application of trigonometry in the surveying profession.

    “In joining PLSO, I have grown in leadership,” said Al Hertel. “I have been on the Curriculum Advisory Committee at PCC, been to a Boy Scout jamboree in Scappoose, given a Trig Star talk at 4 different High Schools--multiple years, been to several High School Job Fairs, helped Proctor the Oregon LSIT/LS test in several cities throughout Oregon, and served as the Sec/Tres of the Pioneer Chapter for several years. Throughout all this I have gained the friendship of many colleagues, government planners & surveyors, and teachers, both high school and college. Thank you for this great opportunity. I have been blessed by each contact that I have made.”

    # # #

    The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon, based in Tigard, represents more than 500 licensed land surveyors and associates throughout the state. It serves the land surveying industry in Oregon through professional education and outreach, holding paramount the interests of the public. To learn more visit www.plso.org.


  • 22 Feb 2016 2:41 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    The Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering & Land Surveying (OSBEELS) is holding the following Committee Meetings on Friday, February 26, 2016 in the Conference Room of the Board office at 670 Hawthorne Avenue, SE, Suite 220, Salem, OR 97301. 

    • Rules & Regulations
    • Examinations & Qualifications
    • External Relations
    • Finance
    • Oregon Specific Examination Task Force
    • Professional Practices

    Additional information about OSBEELS can be found at:  http://www.oregon.gov/OSBEELS/pages/index.aspx.

    Please direct any questions about the upcoming meetings to the Board office.


  • 18 Jan 2016 5:42 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    IR-2015-137, Dec.17, 2015

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

    Beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

    • 54 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 57.5 cents for 2015
    • 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 23 cents for 2015
    • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

    The business mileage rate decreased 3.5 cents per mile and the medical, and moving expense rates decrease 4 cents per mile from the 2015 rates. The charitable rate is based on statute.

    The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.

    Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

    A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.

    These and other requirements for a taxpayer to use a standard mileage rate to calculate the amount of a deductible business, moving, medical or charitable expense are in Rev. Proc. 2010-51.  Notice 2016-01 contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.


  • 12 Jan 2016 7:50 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE AT CLACKAMAS COUNTY AND 40 YEARS IN HIS SURVEYING CAREER, CARL’S NEW ADVENTURES BEGIN……

    YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING CARL!

    WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

    TIME: 4-6:30 p.m.

                              WHERE: Caufield House

               723 Main Street Oregon City

    Hor d’oeuvers Buffet $18 per person

    No Host Bar

    Please RSVP and pay Debbie Fuller by February 12:

     debbieful@clackamas.us  or 503.742.4492


  • 12 Jan 2016 1:58 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    We would like to begin participating in an outreach group that works with High School students - perfect for PLSO's strategic plan. Volunteers are needed to help me get us involved. There are several areas that we can get involved so depending on a person’s skill sets and available time there is probably a great spot for them.  Events are happening soon so quick responses are appreciated. 

    Take a leap of faith and step outside your comfort zone and help promote our wonderful profession by presenting to High School students and ideally some future surveyors about a career to consider! Remember it is easy to talk about something you love that has treated you well! Also it is a way of giving back to others and your professional community.  We would love to have some Technicians be a part of this too for you are the ones who use the tools and most often closer to High School ages.  Here is a great chance for Technicians to get involved and share. 

    More details about program and how this started!

    http://www.pamplinmedia.com/wbi/152-news/282613-159241-gervais-high-school-hosts-regional-trades-day-partners-with-local-businesses

    Willamette Promise - www.wesd.org/willamettepromise

    Willamette Promise Industry involved - http://www.wesd.org/domain/131

     Regional Events:

    • Jan 22 Woodburn High School 
    • Feb 5 Gervais High School  
    • Feb 26 Stayton High School                                                                       

    Three ways to participate:

    1. We need 2 keynote speakers at each Regional Event to start the conversation with Junior’s about Oregon Industry.  350- 450 students will meet in an auditorium/ gym to start their Industry Exploration: Application, Resume, Interviews and Industry Search.
    2. We need 25 participants at each Regional Event for a 3.5 hour block of time to give 8- 10 minute interviews to students. 350 -400 students
    3. We need 5 Industry Partners at each Regional Event to work with a group of students to learn the process of researching a company (the company could be your company), the facilitator will facilitate 4 groups of students in a 3.5 hour time frame.  350- 400 students

     

     Build Oregon Trades Day:
    • Feb 19 Yamhill Carlton High School
    • March 11 Central High School, Independence
    • April 18   Sprague High School
    • April 26 St. Helen High School
    How to participate:

    We need industry to provide an engaging presentation and information about Oregon Industry.  We love having equipment on site that students can become familiar with as well as materials that students can learn “how it works”, as well as to gain an understanding of the wide variety of jobs within Oregon industry. Trades Day/ Career Expo event 500 – 2000 students. 

    We are currently looking for cool technology and geard, such as Robotic Total Stations, GPS Rovers, 3D Scanners, Lazer Distomat, UAV or Drones, 3D CAD drawings and more. We will still need Surveyors to help show how the gear is used and provide stories that get the students interest. 

    I need to let the organizers know where we can support and put the right people in the right spots to highlight what we do and support their efforts.  Have people contact me who have interest in stepping outside their comfort zones to help with these great opportunities! 

    Tony Brooks and Gary Anderson

     


  • 07 Jan 2016 7:10 PM | PLSO Office (Administrator)

    A huge THANK YOU for your support to the Clark College Surveying & Geomatics program. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I am confident we can meet President Knights decision.

    I will be in touch as we move forward and look forward to continue the Surveying & Geomatics program for years to come.

    What a great way to start the new year!

    Tim Kent

    =================================================================================================

    From: Knight, Robert
    Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2016 11:01 AM
    To: College Master List
    Subject: Message from President Knight

    Dear college community,

    Happy New Year! As we start winter quarter, I want to update you on four of the topics I will be discussing at the annual State of the College address on Thursday, January 21 at 11 a.m. in Gaiser Student Center: Instructional Budget Recommendations, overall college budget, hiring leadership for our key administrative positions in HR and the Office of Diversity and Equity, and the timeline for and current discussions on food service and culinary programs.

    Instructional Budget Recommendations
    The instructional budget reduction process is moving forward in accordance with the faculty contract. I have received and accepted the recommendations of the Reduction in Force (RIF) committee. The final recommendations can be found on ClarkNet<http://www.clark.edu/clark-and-community/about/strategic_plan/academic-planning/index.php>.  The RIF committee recommendations include a financial incentive for affected faculty members.  This part of the proposal must be approved by the state’s Office of Financial Management (OFM) so my acceptance is pending that approval by OFM.

    I have also confirmed the other parts of the proposal and support Instructional Council as they work with the formal Instructional Planning Team (IPT) process to eliminate the Fitness Training, Medical Radiography, Nursing Assistant Certified and Paralegal programs. Based on a commitment from community members to temporarily cover costs needed to sustain the Surveying & Geomatics program, I have decided to continue the Surveying & Geomatics program for up to three years. If enrollment and completions are not improved within those three years to a sustainable number, we will move forward with the elimination.

    I also support the other recommendations to reduce programs and departments as found in the final Instructional Council Report<http://www.clark.edu/clark-and-community/about/strategic_plan/academic-planning/index.php>. The final stages regarding program and department elimination will take place with IPT or Curriculum Committee in January and February.
    While this has been, and will continue to be, a challenging process for us all, I am extremely proud of our faculty and the staff—particularly those in instruction—as they have thoughtfully compiled and reviewed the data, kept students and student success at the forefront of conversations, and worked through difficult decisions thoughtfully and professionally.

    The new academic plan is nearly complete and will provide strategic direction for our programs and offerings as the college moves forward. Opportunities for developing structured pathways, additional teaching modalities, and increased integrative learning will help address ongoing enrollment and retention concerns.

    Overall College Budget
    Currently, we are not meeting our budgeted enrollment target for state-supported FTES. However, Running Start is coming in stronger than expected. By late January or February, we should know if the additional Running Start revenue is enough to avoid mid-year reductions. Because our revenue picture remains unclear, we are continuing to watch spending very carefully, particularly in the areas of IT equipment, operating supplies, and out-of-state travel.

    The state’s new funding allocation model, which goes into effect July 1, 2016, is still being fine-tuned. Until we see the final version of the model, we can't safely say whether it will provide enough new state funding to help address our operating budget shortfall. Additionally, the Planning and Effectiveness Office is projecting that we will continue to see enrollment declines next year. While there are some parts of the state that have started to see slight improvements in enrollment, a decline in enrollment is consistent with the overall picture across Washington and Oregon.

    With the efforts of the Strategic Enrollment Management team, the Retention Committee, and ongoing efforts across the college—including new program growth and retention initiatives—we are aggressively seeking ways to reverse this enrollment trend. I will be in touch as the budget process continues to share some of these strategies and how they will affect next year’s budget.

    Key administrative positions
    This fall quarter the college was without a Special Advisor for Diversity and Equity, and it is a priority for me to fill this position. To do this, it is important to work with the constituent groups and hear feedback from across the college about what was needed in this role. Conversations with the Office of Diversity and Equity staff, the Cultural Pluralism Committee, and others helped us move this conversation forward.

    I want to thank Vice President Bill Belden, Felis Peralta and the staff in the Office of Diversity and Equity for their continued good work this fall as we were short staffed in that office.  The ODE staff have accomplished a great deal including leading the process of drafting the Social Equity Plan, which is one of the core themes in the Strategic Plan and will be released to the campus shortly before the State of the College.

    In January, the college will be conducting searches for both the Special Advisor for Diversity and Equity and Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance. I want to thank Vice President Bob Williamson for filling in and moving key projects forward including standardizing training for hiring committees and several other initiatives while short staffed. The HR position will include new responsibilities for ensuring College compliance with Title IX and state and federal laws on sexual misconduct and violence.  On that subject, I want to thank all of you who have completed the mandatory, online Title IX training.  We’re not at 100% yet and encourage those who haven’t finished the training yet to do so as soon as possible.  Please contact HR if you have any questions

    Culinary and Food Service
    The college and the Clark College Foundation are both fully committed to restarting the culinary program in the fall of 2016 and remodeling the space previously occupied by the program. Some tremendous progress has taken place lately with new faculty being hired, community partnerships formed, and more. We have some exciting news to unveil about a recent donation commitment we received over the holidays.  An announcement will be coming out at a later date.

    This is an expensive and complex project. There will be continued disruptions both to food service on the main campus and on some events. We anticipate the new culinary space will open in early 2017, and will provide new dining options and much better space for students, faculty, and staff. The current plans include bringing back the dining room, as well as providing space for food vendors. We hope to unveil final plans later this spring.

    In the meantime, we are reviewing the food options on campus and exploring new ways to attract vendors. We also will need to make final determinations about the food carts as our agreement with the city states they will need to move at the end of this academic year.

    Final thoughts
    The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect on the past and prepare for the future.  We certainly faced challenges in 2015, particularly the impact of declining enrollment on our budget.  However, this past year we also saw the fortitude and commitment of our faculty and staff in meeting these challenges.  As I look ahead, I am excited for what 2016 has in store for us as we continue to implement our strategic plan, prepare for the opening of our new STEM facility, and strengthen our local community.

    Best regards,

    Bob Knight
    President

    =============================================================================================

    Tim Kent


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