National Association of Industrial Technology
Executive Board Meeting
April 20-21, 2001

Friday April 20, 2001
NAIT National Office
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Present: Art Rosser, Chair and Past President, University Division (Central Missouri State University); Lesta Burgess, President-Elect, Student Division (University of Northern Iowa); Sid Connor, President, CCTI Division (Westark College); Mark Estepp, President, University Division (Appalachian State University); Earl Hansen, President, Safety Division (Northern Illinois University); Mahyar Izadi, Past President, Research Division (Eastern Illinois University); Hank Martin, President, Industry Division (Altamaha Technical Institute); Marlow Marchant, President, Graphic Communications Division (Eastern Kentucky University); Ronald Meier, Past President, Manufacturing Systems Division (Illinois State University); Charles Patrick, President, Research Division (Morehead State University); University); Al Rudisill, NAIT Executive Director. Also present: Niaz Latif, President Elect, University Division (Purdue University); Dave Monforton, NAIT Associate Director (Recorder).

  1. Opening Remarks: The meeting was called to order by Chair Rosser at 12:25 p.m. The Chair welcomed all of those in attendance. Moved by Connor, seconded by Hansen, that Lesta Burgess, President-Elect, Student Division, be allowed to vote as Proxy for Ivan Mosley, Sr., President, Student Division, due to Dr. Mosley’s inability to attend the meeting. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

  2. Review and Approval of the Minutes: The Board members reviewed the minutes of the meeting of November 1st and 4th, 2000. Izadi moved, seconded by Meier, that the minutes be approved. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

  3. Review and Approval of Agenda: The board members reviewed the agenda. The Board agreed by consensus to add item F to agenda item 9, New Business, for discussion of an Industrial Technology Faculty Salary Survey, and reorder item 5, Reports – Divisions, to allow the Safety Division Report to be presented first. Moved by Connor, seconded by Meier, that the agenda be approved as amended. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

  4. Reports – National Office: Rudisill reviewed current major initiatives of NAIT as summarized in the Board meeting book, specifically noting: the pending application for recognition of NAIT by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which was submitted last fall and may take up to a year for a final decision on the application; the increased interest in CCTI program accreditation, as reflected by contacts to the NAIT office, consulting visits and applications for accreditation; the appointment of a new NAIT Foundation Board Chair and the scheduling of a Foundation Board meeting in May at the NAIT Office; the initiative to publish a new edition of the CCTI program directory; and the continued efforts at formation and growth of new NAIT Special Interest Divisions.
    1. Membership: Rudisill noted the decline in membership over the past year, from a high of 2177 members at June 30, 2000 to a total on March 31, 2001 of 1828. Rudisill noted trends in memberships within the divisions and the particular need for Special Interest Divisions to increase memberships and retain current members in order to maintain minimum membership levels required for divisional status. NAIT staff distributed membership reports showing current members and members who have recently failed to renew their memberships. Chair Rosser suggested that divisional leadership pursue contacts with those members who have failed to renew in particular and that the effort needs to be made to raise membership totals by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2001.
    2. Certification: Rudisill noted that the certification program participation had declined to 463 members as of March 31, 2001 from the June 30, 2000 total of 505. It was noted that growth has come from new industry division members applying upon graduation. Rosser noted the decline in University and CCTI Division Certified members since the program was established and suggested that efforts be made to particularly promote certification for faculty in accredited programs.
    3. Finance: Rudisill reviewed the financial balances of NAIT, noting the three funds which are accounted for, the General Account, Foundation Account and the new Accreditation Reserve account which was set up to reserve a portion of the new annual accreditation fee payments for covering expenses of future accreditation visits. Rudisill also called attention to the pledge category in the Foundation accounts, which shows receivables to be collected in the future as a result of pledges to the NAIT Foundation’s Charles Keith Circle. Rudisill also noted generally improved financial balances compared to five years ago, such that NAIT currently maintains a positive balance with the Convention and Accreditation programs primarily responsible for the "in-the-black" status.
    4. Accreditation: Rudisill reviewed current accreditation activity and the system for tracking accreditation activity. He noted that increased interest in program accreditation form CCTI institutions may require an expanded hearing schedule at the November 2002 NAIT Conference.
    5. Conference: Rudisill reported briefly on NAIT Conference plans but deferred detail until discussion of Agenda item 8.c.
    6. Publications: Rudisill called the Board’s attention to the IT Insider schedule. Monforton reminded the Board that the preconference issue, which is mailed in August with the preconference program, has a deadline of July 13 and that articles promoting a division’s activities at the 2001 Convention need to be submitted to NAIT by that date.
    7. Website: Rudisill pointed out changes in the Website, including new listserves. It was suggested that NAIT investigate tracking services that provide detailed information on use patterns in the website.
    8. Awards: Rudisill and Rosser noted the awards schedule and the need for nominations in particular for Outstanding Professor and Faculty of the Year Awards. There was discussion of the process of selection of the awards and it was agreed that the process, as related in NAIT documents and on the NAIT website, should be clarified so that it is stated that the Regional Directors should use a committee "of at least two past recipients" of the award as a review and selection committee.
    9. General: Monforton noted the resignation of David Dillon as Graphic Communication Division President Elect and that Dr. Benjamin Lee of Cal State Los Angeles has agreed to serve in that capacity. Due to that change, Dr. Lee’s position as University Division Region 6 Director was vacated. Dr. Wan Lee Cheng of San Francisco State University has agreed to serve as Region 6 University Division director.

  5. Reports – Divisions:
    1. Safety Division: Hansen asked Board members for suggestions as to how to develop interest in Safety Division membership and NAIT Accreditation of safety programs. Meier suggested looking at non-NAIT programs that have safety specializations. Patrick queried whether or not such programs would be able to meet curriculum requirements for technology courses. Izadi suggested looking at currently NAIT-accredited safety programs as models for other programs to look at. Monforton said that NAIT would send Safety Division leadership database information on individuals listed in 2001 NAIT Baccalaureate Program Directory who have a safety specialty.
    2. CCTI Division: Connor distributed a written report, calling attention to the increase in accreditation visits and inquiries. He noted that Harold Finn’s recent visit to a conference on 2-year technology program accreditation in Alabama looks likely to result in several new accreditation requests for visits in 2002.
    3. Industry Division: Martin noted the recent effort to solicit contributions to the NAIT Foundation OIT Award fund by a letter that went to about 1200 professional members of NAIT in early April, and that he is also working on direct contacts with past recipients to solicit funds to support the 2001 awards. Martin suggested an effort be made to obtain graduates permanent or parental addresses from the schools so that NAIT could follow up to promote Industry Division membership. He reported that a "Lean Manufacturing" workshop has been scheduled for the 2001 Convention on Wednesday October 31, with Georgia QuickStart as the provider/sponsor. The Board discussed this briefly, suggesting that we work with SME to publicize the event and that a fee structure be set. As such workshops often cost in excess of several hundred dollars per participant, it was agreed that the cost charged for the workshop be set at approximately $140. Martin also confirmed the appointments of representatives from the Industry Division to fill a vacancy on the NAIT Board of Certification: Stephen Dunn (98-01), John Denny (99-02), and Edward Christy (00-03).
    4. Student Division: Burgess reported in the absence of Dr. Ivan Mosley, Student Division President. She discussed and took suggestions regarding convention activities and asked that the Student Tour not be scheduled to conflict with the IT/IQ contest.
    5. University Division: Estepp noted the decline in membership and the need to continue efforts to increase membership especially by obtaining renewals of memberships that have expired. He also reported that the University Division intends to produce a special edition of the IT Insider newsletter, with the design template proved by the NAIT office and with printing and mailing costs paid by Appalachian State University. Estepp also confirmed the appointments of a representative from the University Division to fill a vacancy on the NAIT Board of Certification: Dr. John A. Deno (99-02).
    6. Graphic Communications: Marchant reported that the Graphics Communications Division has filled its committee positions and is working on a mailing to graphic communication professionals not affiliated with NAIT. He also reported that an informal committee of graphic communications program faculty are working on establishing a graphic communications accreditation agency and that NAIT Graphic Communications Division leadership is approaching that group to introduce them to NAIT as an existing organization that can and does perform that service. The division is also planning a tour of an industrial design facility for the 2001 NAIT Convention; a few sponsor possibilities have been identified for a Thursday afternoon tour that would not conflict with breakout sessions.
    7. Manufacturing Systems Division: Meier reported that the division is working to compliment the Industry Division Lean Manufacturing workshop by arranging for a second workshop on Saturday November 3, and is also planning a reception for Manufacturing Division members, hopefully at the Henry Ford Museum. He reported on divisional goals, noting that some curriculum materials have been identified for eventual placement in a web-based curriculum exchange, that regular email communications to divisional members is scheduled to start this July, and that leadership is working on 2002 NAIT Convention event coordination.
    8. Research Division: Patrick noted the decline in the division membership, and that leadership needs to increase activities to ensure renewals and new memberships. He reported that the division has focused activity on improving the review process for presentations and selected papers and that suggested changes will be raised for Executive Board discussion as new business. The division plans to invite department heads and chairs to recruit graduate students in their programs for a 2-hour block of graduate research presentations at the 2001 Convention. The Board discussed the idea and made suggestions regarding the recruitment process. The leadership also is discussing instituting a "Best Paper" program with respect to Selected Papers and is working toward a proposal to institute for 2002.
  6. Updates – Boards:
    1. Board of Accreditation: Dr. Everett Israel, Chair of the NAIT Board of Accreditation, submitted a written report, which was distributed to the Executive Board.

      2. To: NAIT Executive Board
      From: Dr. Everett Israel, Chair, NAIT Board of Accreditation
      Date: April 15, 2001
      Re: Board of Accreditation Update

      During the past few months the following tasks have been completed with the assistance of Alvin Rudisill and David Monforton:

      • The Board Chair attended the SME Accreditation Committee meeting and chaired the NAIT subcommittee meeting.
      • The SME Accreditation Workshop was changed to January 2002.
      • Institutions have been informed of the results of the 2000 Board Hearings.
      • New Board members have been identified and posted on the NAIT web page.
      • Board members have been updated and they have informed the Board Chair regarding their plans to attend the 2001 hearings.
      • 2000 Board hearing minutes and business meeting minutes have been completed and proofread.
      • Recommended changes in accreditation policies and procedures have been formulated and posted on the NAIT web page.
      • Board members have been assigned to review upcoming accreditation status reports.
      • Jerry Parish, Vice Chair, has been kept informed of all transactions.
    2. Board of Certification: Rudisill distributed a written report submitted by Dr. Dennis Field, Chair of the NAIT Board of Certification:

      3. To: NAIT Executive Board
      From: Dr. Dennis Field
      Date: April 15, 2001
      Re: NAIT Certification Board Report

      We are making progress on Board of Certification membership, many thanks to Dave Monforton and others who have participated in this effort. We will review progress (and attendance) at the NAIT conference this fall. I would request that we try to ensure that we have not double-scheduled meetings that require Board members to choose between meetings. Multiple meetings at the same time have been a recurring reason given for low attendance at the Certification meeting.

      I am requesting that the Executive Board approve the purchase of software for use in certification test analysis. I would like to purchase either BILOG 3 for Windows or Multilog 6.3. The cost for BILOG 3 is $400, while Multilog 6.3 costs $270. I would also like to upgrade a copy of HLM (Hierarchical Linear Models) from version 4 to version 5 at a cost of $180. Shipping costs for both sets of software should come in under $20. I am leaning toward Multilog at this point, but would ask the Board to approve expenditures of up to $600 in case my discussions with the vendor indicate that BILOG is a more appropriate choice.

      I have received proposals from both John Sinn and Gary Hoppes regarding matters affecting the Board of Certification. John’s proposal deals with written materials in various formats related to the technical management core knowledge. Gary has written a proposal to be submitted to the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education related to the certification process. Neither proposal was solicited by the Board of Certification, but will be submitted to Board members for review and discussion when Board membership has stabilized.

      Patrick expressed the concern that the certification examination be broadened to include more non-manufacturing disciplines; Izadi mentioned same concern that topic are is not broad enough; Estepp observed that broadening the exam carries the risk of making the exam "broader but shallower."
    3. NAIT Foundation Board: Rudisill reported that the NAIT Foundation Board is scheduled to meet in May at the NAIT Office in Ann Arbor, and that the Foundation Board will be focussing on completing the "Charter Institutional Membership" campaign.

  7. Reports – Committees:
    1. Bylaws Committee: Rudisill reported the committee’s proposal to change the bylaws to allow for smaller membership in special divisions. The proposal would change the minimum membership necessary to sustain divisional status from the current 100 to 50. It was noted that any change in the Bylaws would require a membership vote. Discussion ensued on minimum membership levels, whether special divisions with smaller minimum membership requirements should have voting privileges on the executive board, and other issues. The chair suspended the discussion and held the report over for further discussion.
    2. CHEA Recognition: Rudisill reported that the NAIT application is likely to be determined eligible by CHEA, though formal action has not been taken yet.

    Patrick moved, seconded by Estepp, that the meeting be recessed until 8 a.m., Saturday April 20, 2001. The motion was approved on a voice vote. The meeting was recessed at 5:10 p.m.

    Saturday April 21, 2001
    NAIT National Office
    Ann Arbor, Michigan

  8. Reports – Committees: The Board returned to item 7.a.
    1. Bylaws Committee: The Board continued discussion of whether special divisions with relatively small membership vis-à-vis the primary divisions should have the same voting privileges on the NAIT Executive Board. Rudisill questioned the usefulness of having non-voting representatives on the Executive Board and noted that in his experience board members tend to vote in support of what they perceive to be of benefit to the whole organization as opposed to being controlled by more insular interests of NAIT Divisions. Patrick noted that having voting rights for relatively small divisions gives members of those divisions commensurately more influence on NAIT, and that as special division members also are members of a primary division, that special division members already are represented on the Executive Board. Marchant broached the idea of having a lower minimum membership threshold for divisional status but a higher membership threshold for voting rights on the Executive Board. The Board continued to discuss the proposal (Download Bylaw Revisions).

      Moved by Marchant, seconded by Patrick that the report of the bylaw committee be accepted and that the proposed bylaw revision be put to a vote of the NAIT membership pursuant to the NAIT Bylaws. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

      In the course of the discussion on the membership bylaws, Rudisill raised the issue of providing of free lifetime memberships to any Past President of the Association or Past Chair of the NAIT Executive Board. Rudisill noted that the Executive Board’s authority to set membership rates allows such a change to be executed by a vote of the Executive Board. The Board discussed the proposal and agreed that such a policy tangibly demonstrates appreciation for such individuals’ dedication to NAIT and also serves as a means to encourage continued involvement in NAIT after retirement from professional life. The policy will be incorporated into the Bylaws as follows:

      B4.17 Past Presidents of the Association and Past Chairs of the NAIT Executive Board will be granted a free lifetime membership in the Association.

      Moved by Connor, seconded by Izadi, that NAIT shall offer a free lifetime membership to any Past President of the Association or Past Executive Board Chair upon completion of their service in such capacity, and that the policy should be implemented immediately by NAIT Staff. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

  9. Old Business:
    1. OIT Award Funding: Rudisill noted that the last sponsorship of the OIT Award was from Ryder Inc. which supported the award in 1999 and 2000. The industry division has sent a solicitation letter to all NAIT professional members via the NAIT Office, and that Hank Martin, Industry Division President, is contacting past winners to solicit financial support to continue the awards program. Rosser noted that one past winner is a CMSU graduate who may have the wherewithal to sponsor the award and that he will make contact with that person. Monforton raised the issue of whether adequate funding exists for the 2001 awards, and noted that the Industry Division has a budget line item of $1000 for projects which could be used to partially fund the award. Noting that the Industry Division has authority over the award, the Board recommended that efforts continue to ensure funding to continue the award through the 2001 NAIT Convention.
    2. Conference Structure: The board took up discussion of the conference structure and made various requests:
    3. Strategic Plan Update: Rudisill requested that strategic plan updates for the divisions and updated personnel rosters be submitted to the NAIT Office by May 15, 2001.
    4. Future Convention Sites: The Board discussed future convention site possibilities. Moved by Connor, seconded by Marchant that the NAIT Staff should focus on areas in the central region of the eastern U.S. and suggested that NAIT Staff should make inquiries to these specific cities: Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO; and Atlanta, GA regarding proposals for NAIT Conventions in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

    5. New Business:
      1. Mileage Reimbursement Rate: Connor moved, seconded by Izadi, that the official NAIT mileage reimbursement rate be changed from the current $.26/mile to $.30/mile. The Motion was approved on a voice vote.
      2. Kent State University Proclamation: Rudisill reported on the request by Dean Raj Chowdhury that NAIT approve a proclamation in honor of Dr. Carol Cartwright and distributed copies of the proposed proclamation to the Board. Moved by Estepp, seconded by Meier, that the proposed proclamation be approved. The motion was approved on a voice vote.
      3. Appointments to Open Committee and Board Positions: Rudisill reported that several open positions had been filled and noted that the Standards and Accreditation Committee meets at this year’s convention, requiring the divisions to make appointments so that their division is represented when the committee meets and makes its recommendations.
      4. Elections and Awards: Rudisill reminded Board members of the annual election schedule and their need to recruit candidates for positions. He also reviewed the various association and division awards and stressed the importance of member recognition through the awards process.
      5. NAIT Salary Survey: Latif reported that he has secured the permission of Indiana University to use their Engineering Salary survey as a template for a NAIT Salary Survey. The Board members reviewed copies of the web-based survey form as it has been adapted for a NAIT survey and made suggestions. It was also clarified that the survey is only intended to gather information about salaries of faculty in 4-year industrial technology programs. The Board reached consensus that the salary survey form was appropriate for a NAIT salary survey and that the NAIT Office should be advised when the updated form is ready for use so that it may be distributed to the Board for their final review.
      6. University/Faculty Awards: Rudisill noted that he had received inquiries about the selection process and the use of a committee of past recipients in that the composition of such a committee was not clear. Rudisill suggested that the language be clarified to state that "a committee of at least two past recipients" be formed for selection. As there is no formal board action needed and the representatives of the CCTI and University Divisions agreed that such a clarification was appropriate, NAIT Staff will make the necessary corrections to documents and the website.
      7. Convention Publications – Presentations & Selected Papers Review Process: Patrick presented the proposed Guidelines for Abstract and Selected Paper Review that has been developed by volunteers in the Research Division. The Board reviewed the proposed guidelines and made a variety of suggestions relating to consistent use of terms and other items: include "focus group" where divisions are mentioned as not all convention tracks are linked to a division; Clarify references to 5-page papers as "Selected Papers" and to the Abstracts as Abstracts/Presentation Proposals; delete any references to Engineering Technology; delete the language in the "Selected Papers Review" section referring to consistency with the conference theme, as the themes are not intended as a filter and are usually broad enough to encompass most topic areas. The Board reached consensus that the proposed guidelines, as amended, be adopted as the NAIT Guidelines for Convention Abstract and Paper Review. Given the more formalized review process, it was also agreed that the submission deadline for "Selected Papers" be set at June 1. NAIT Staff noted that in light of the changes and in keeping with trying to avoid inconsistent or confusing terminology, that the published documents would be referred to as "Presentations" (one-page proposals/abstracts), "Selected Papers" (Accepted 5-page papers), and that the CDROM containing both documents would be referred to as "Conference Proceedings." (Download the Approved Guidelines)
      8. Certification Software: The Board approved the request of the Chair of the Certification Board, as made in his report to the Board, to purchase scoring and analysis software for use with the certification exam. The funds are available within the budget for certification and NAIT Staff will make appropriate budgetary shifts to accommodate the expenditure.

      The agenda having been finished, the chair requested a motion to adjourn. The Chair advised the members to assemble to travel to the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, for a tour of the 2001 Convention site and lunch.

      Moved by Connor, seconded by Martin, that the NAIT Executive Board meeting of April 20-21, 2001 be adjourned. The motion was approved on a voice vote.

      The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.