2018-2019 Recognition Event

In case you've missed it, our first ever Recognition Event is underway. Do you know of someone who has demonstrated outstanding service commitment to the profession and SEAoO? Then you may want to review the categories listed below and nominate that individual for recognition! Please don't delay, submission deadline is March 31, 2019.

Categories:

• Young Engineer of the Year
• Engineer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

SEAoO Recognition Nomination Form

For those with an interest in supporting the Recognition Committee or those with questions regarding the Recognition Event, please contact the committee chair at:

chair-recognition@seaoo.org.

Thank you!

International Concrete Symposium at University of Akron in May

This is a 2-day symposium at the University of Akron's National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Material Performance (NCERCAMP). 

"This impressive two-day symposium brings together leading material scientists, industry experts, owner groups, and trade organizations to share, in a highly interactive environment, exciting advances in the field of concrete and internal curing while also fostering an important dialog."

Details are still being finalized, but please check the website for more info:  https://www.uakron.edu/ncercamp/

Wood design course at Virginia Tech in May

Dr. Frank Woeste (who has spoken at SEAoO Conferences in the past) will lead a 2-day wood design course in May at the Virginia Tech campus.  "This course is designed for individuals who are involved in the design, construction, and inspection of wood buildings.  The primary focus and objective of this course are a mastery of wood design basics and understanding of the many factors routinely used and required by the 2018 National Design Specification^® (NDS^®) for Wood Construction."

More info on their website here:  http://www.cpe.vt.edu/sdww/ 

Ohio's Neighbors Reconsider Licensure

Ohio is not alone in reconsidering the how the state approaches professional licensure.  Both Indiana and West Virginia legislatures are considering legislation with similarities to Ohio’s new law placing licensing boards under a continual review cycle (see the Feb. 2019 newsletter).

Indiana would subject any new regulations or regulation revisions to scrutiny intended to determine whether it is the least restrictive alternative available to achieve the desired results.  Similar to Ohio’s hierarchy of regulatory mechanisms, the Indiana proposal would assume that market competition and private remedies are the preferred approaches to occupational regulation.  More restrictive means of regulation require “credible empirical evidence” of a problem.  Further, the bill establishes 15 regulatory methods with market competition being the least restrictive and required licensure as the most restrictive.

West Virginia is proposing a means for unlicensed individuals to practice a licensed occupation.  The bill would allow the unlicensed person to practice with the informed consent of the customer.  It provides specific disclosures and advertisement(s) that would need to be made to practice.

Both bills seek to improve occupational opportunities for individuals and remove or lower barriers to employment.  With the number of jobs requiring a license at unprecedented levels, over 25% of workers require a license[1], states are becoming concerned with real and potential negative impacts of licensure.  These effects include reduced occupational mobility, reduced employment opportunities, and increased fees to consumers.  These are valid concerns for governments that should be weighed with the real and potential gains conferred by a regulatory mechanism.  

Engineering is a profession with sound foundations in science. The challenges these laws present is one that could be met head-on with evidence in support of licensing.  If such evidence is lacking, it seems one would be inspired to ask whether the predicted benefits of licensure could be objectively tested.  Readers are encouraged to submit evidence and suggestions for testing licensure.

Please share your thoughts regarding this topic and the questions raised.  We also welcome your input on any other topic related to engineering licensure.   Please contact us if you would like to contribute to this column.

Thank you.

[1] - Occupational Licensing: A Framework for PolicyMakers https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/licensing_report_final_nonembargo.pdf

All content in this section of the newsletter reflects statements and opinons of the author and do not necessarily reflect any opinions sanctioned by the SEAoO Board of Directors. 

A Note on Notes

In my current role, I occasionally engage engineering consultants for various projects.  To me, one indicator of the consultant’s work quality are notes and specifications delivered.  For general notes, there seems to be a trend to provide the most generic “boilerplate” notes in an effort to minimize time expended.  

As an example, some steel notes will start with something like “all steel construction shall comply with the latest edition of the AISC Manual.”  Those familiar with specification can see the problems with such a note - both its lack of specificity and inappropriateness of the reference. The following note actually provided on a drawing issued for construction is a second example:

This was the only design criteria noted.

Not only do specific and accurate references communicate design intent more clearly, Ohio Building Code Section 1603 lists specific information to be shown on construction documents.  While many readers are likely familiar with these requirements, our clients might be unaware. In an environment where knowledgeable service providers compete with those who appear to take shortcuts, those with the knowledge could benefit by helping to inform consumers.

Thank you

SEAoO Secretary

secretary@seaoo.org

Newly formed Information Technology Committee

Every worthwhile committee is only as good as its members.  Therefore, we are requesting the assistance of several SEAoO members to contribute to the goals of this newly formed committee that will handle the technology functions of the organization.  These goals will primarily revolve around the following items:

• Establish organizational technology standards and practices
• Manage IT and communication software used within the organization and between various committees
  • Manage application & user setup for organization communication
  • Provide support for organization software
  • Review existing & future software needs of the organization
• Help maintain the SEAoO Website
• Provide a yearly budget to the Board of Directors for IT needs
• Provide quarterly updates to the Board of Directors

It is anticipated that committee meetings will consist of conference calls at least four times each year or more often as needed.

For those with an interest in supporting the Information Technology Committee, please contact the committee chair at:

chair-IT@seaoo.org.

Thank you!