Meeting & Agendas

Everyone introduced themselves and the meeting convened. Mr. Whatley announced to the Advisory Board that Troy DeFrates is the newly appointed Assistant Department Chair.

Mr. Whatley reviewed various points of his Vision Plan for the “Best use of Funds” for the Welding Department for 2013. He emphasized striving for excellence throughout all of the facets of Welding Technology, and encouraged everyone to continue to doing their very best to provide unsurpassed technical training. He enumerated the statistics of the Spring 2012 student body and also of his support staff. There are 7 full-time instructors and 11 Adjunct instructors, 5 Lab Technicians, 2 hourly employees, and 1 Administrative Assistant at each Campus (one is shared). He stated that he was very proud of his organization and that he felt that he had the advantage over all of his peers in that, he had the most professional organization and staffing. Mr. Whatley reported that the Welding courses are in high demand and that 100% of his sections made for the Spring 2013 semester. In addition, a record number of students are enrolled - 136 in Arts Metals, 148 in Welding at RVS and 165 at the RRC. He added that there were 167 “Waitlisted” students that did not get seats in the Welding classes. He added, in the 4 years that he has be associated with ACC, he is only aware of one section in Welding being killed. “How to address the waitlisted students in our service area is a great concern”. TSTC is building a Campus on the fringe of our service area offering daytime welding classes and is scheduled to open soon. Mr. Whatley proposed his short term and long term plans/needs of the Welding Department to address and accommodate these students; Proposal # 1 – Short Term Lease Space: Lease space VS costly remodeling of the RVS campus in an already cramped environment. Limited space for BCT, WLDG, HVAC, and Jewelry. The leasing of space was the most cost effective solution and quickest fix and a “search” for space was approved. Utilization of the lease space will buy us time and allow for the Master Plan for the RVS rebuild plan to come to fruition. While the enrollment numbers in welding are high, that is not the case in Academia. (Mr. Whatley explained that English and Math classes require very little equipment, very little to no materials, and seat 24 – 36 students in each section.) These courses account for the preponderance of the income for the college and that enrollment is down 9%. On the other hand, Welding Courses are very costly, in fact one of the most expensive courses offered at the college. Bottom line, Academia supports Welding. Lower than anticipated enrollment numbers in Academia equates to a reduction in income and budget cuts are anticipated. The search for lease space was called to a halt. Proposal # 2 – Long Term 3 – 5 years: Expand offerings to the North Hays Campus and build a Welding Technology Facility at Hays that supports the heavy related industry in that area. This facility will require 1 full time instructor, three Adjunct faculty, and two support staff members. Proposal # 3 – Long Term 3 – 5 years: Phase Two of the Round Rock Facility. Move BCT from current location into new building, and expand the Welding Technology into the vacated premises. This facility will require 1 full time instructor and one Adjunct faculty, one support staff member and an administrative assistant. Follow up: Dr. Solis will visit Welding Program and meet with Department Chair and staff at the Round Rock campus on Tuesday, February 5th.

Mr. Whatley proposed that the NDTE Course Rubric 1454 be changed from Intermediate Ultrasonics to “Advanced Ultrasonics” and the appropriate WECM approved course number. It was explained, that this can now be done with the addition of the new Phased Array UT equipment. In addition the request was made to add descriptors to the WLDG 1427 Welding Codes and Standards (CWI Prep 1) and NDTE 2411 Preparation for Certified Welding Inspector Exam (CWI Prep 2) or a close variation to meet Curriculum Committee and WECM requirements