Environmental and Water Resources Institute
                                                                                    Minutes of the Education and Research Council
                                                                                                           May 20, 2001
                                                                                             Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, FL
 
 

In Attendance

Rafael G. Quimpo (Chairman), Melanie L. Bengtson (Secretary), David
Brandes, Otto J. Helweg (EWRI), Margaret S. Peterson, Arcadio Sincero,
Daniel L. Thomas, Autumn Richter (ASCE Headquarters).
 

Minutes and Agenda

Rafael Quimpo opened the meeting at 1:10 PM. The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved. The proposed agenda was approved and accepted.
 

Administrative Matters

Rafael Quimpo announced that $1500 had been budgeted for travel expenses for this meeting. Only two control members are in attendance.  Therefore some funds will be available for other Council members' travel expenses.

Margaret Peterson reported that she was allocated $1500 for her task committee budget (TC on Education of Future Environmental and Water Resources Engineers). Some of this money may also be available for travel reimbursements for others on the Council.
 

Student Membership in EWRI

Rafael Quimpo announced that student membership is free for EWRI. Students wishing to join must apply, as they do for student membership in ASCE.  It was also explained that application forms are available on line for downloading ( http//www.ewrinstitute.org/ewri-memapp.html).
 

National Geographic Video "The Power of Water"

The Council was requested  to review "The Power of Water" videotape produced by the National Geographic Society in 1993, specifically the segment on hydro power in the Pacific Northwest and its impact on salmon fisheries. Members who were knowledgeable about the video discussed its content and the consensus was that the presentation appeared  to be reasonably even-handed in its treatment of the issues. It was also pointed out that the video is already outdated as regards these issues and there seems to be no compelling reason to prepare a response to it.
 

Virtual World Congress on Civil Engineering

ASCE headquarters is setting up the structure for a Virtual World Congress on Civil Engineering to take place on line. Web site coordinators will be meeting to determine formats, structures, and requirements for web pages.

The Council was asked to consider participating, which would probably involve proposing something similar to a track in a conference. It was pointed out that participation would require expertise and resources that none of the members of the Council have. After some discussion, it was decided that the Council would not be able to participate in this activity.
 

Task Committee on the Education of Future Environmental and Water Resources Engineers

The committee, chaired by Margaret Peterson, will meet on Tuesday, May 22 at 600 PM. The TC's goal is to answer this question how can ASCE be more active in K-12 education?

Some ideas including engineering clubs and essay competitions were suggested. ASCE sections and branches could be involved in judging and awarding prizes for essays.

It was also suggested that the name of the TC be changed to "The Education of Future Environmental and Water Resources Members" to reflect the diversity of membership in EWRI.
 

Possible Task Committee on Teaching on the Web

Otto Helweg will write a proposal for a TC on Teaching on the Web. The TC will determine what is being done presently and which applications may be suitable for environmental and water resources education. Both web-based distance-learning and local instruction will be considered. The TC's end product needs to be determined.
 

Possible Task Committee on Applications of Neural Networks in Environmental and Water Resources

The proposal for a TC on Applications of Neural Networks in Environmental and Water Resources is being withdrawn from consideration for the present.
 

Budget

As mentioned previously, $1500 was budgeted for travel expenses for the Council. As only two control members are present, some money will be available for reimbursing expenses for other members. Dan Thomas requested some funds, and $200 was approved. Approximately $400 will remain to distribute among other members present.

The place for next year's Council meeting has not been decided. The Water Resources Planning Conference in Roanoke, VA was suggested as a possibility.

Rafael Quimpo announced that $4500 would be requested for next years' budget. This request includes funds for the Council and the TC on the Education of Future Environmental and Water Resources Engineers
 

Honorary Memberships Nominations

There are no action items remaining on this item. Nomination packages, complete with the requisite signatures from the different ASCE zones,  have been submitted for Conrad Keyes and Phil Burgi to the ASCE Board of Direction by Ken Renard.
 

Rotation of Officers and Election of Secretary

David Brandes was chosen to fill the secretary's position on the Council. In John Finnie's absence it was decided that he should remain vice-chair for the next year, and Melanie Bengtson was chosen to fill the chair position. Rafael Quimpo will fill the past chair's position.
 

New Business
It was asked if there were any undergraduate student essay or other competitions in the environmental and water resources area.  Those who are interested are suggested to contact Kate Leonard at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
 

Adjourn

There being no additional new business, the meeting was adjourned by Rafael Quimpo.
 

Submitted by:
Melanie Bengtson
Council Secretary