Legislature(2011 - 2012)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/06/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB107 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 6, 2011
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Hollis French
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 107
"An Act making special appropriations for new engineering
buildings for the University of Alaska in Anchorage and
Fairbanks."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 107
SHORT TITLE: APPROP: UNIV. ENGINEERING BUILDINGS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) ELLIS
03/21/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/11 (S) EDC, FIN
04/06/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
ADAM TAYLOR, Intern
Senator Johnny Ellis
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 107 on behalf of the sponsor.
DALE NELSON, Member
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and
Chair
Legislative Liaison Committee
Alaska Professional Design Council (APDC)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
GRANT BAKER, Associate Dean
School of Engineering
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
DOUG GOERING, Dean
College of Engineering and Mines
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
ROB LANG, Dean
School of Engineering
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
JOHN AHO, Chair
Advisory Board
School of Engineering
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
ROBERT BALDWIN, Vice Chair
Alaska Science and Technology and
Director
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
JACK WILBUR, President
Design Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
STEPHANIE YOUNG, Student
College of Engineering and Mining
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
Stephen Nuss, Vice President
Anchorage Branch
American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE)
Anchorage Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT:
ANNE BROOKS, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
LEVERETTE HOOVER, representing himself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
JIM LITTLE, Civil Engineer and
Member
Advisory Council
College of Engineering and Mining
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
MARGARET YNGVE, Student
College of Engineering and Mining
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
BEN LARUE, Group Operations Manager
Siemens Building Technology
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
RICHARD HUGHES, Member
Advisory and Development Council
College of Engineering and Mining
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
ROGER BURGGRAF, representing himself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 107.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:08 AM
CO-CHAIR JOE THOMAS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators French, Davis, Co-Chair Meyer and Co-Chair
Thomas.
SB 107-APPROP: UNIV. ENGINEERING BUILDINGS
8:03:45 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced the consideration of SB 107.
8:04:14 AM
ADAM TAYLOR, Intern for Senator Johnny Ellis, sponsor of SB 107,
said the purpose of the bill includes the appropriations for
expanding the engineering program at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks (UAF) and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). He
noted that the 2010 Ira Fink and Associates, Incorporated study
highlighted the shortage of space at each university that is
required for a successful engineering program [summary of study
included in document packet]. He explained that UAA has a
deficit of approximately 78,000 square feet and UAF has a
deficit 54,000 square feet. Based on the space needs detailed in
the study, SB 107 appropriates $50 million for expanding the
engineering facility at UAF and $75 million for UAA. He stressed
that there is a demand for engineers in both communities and
significant space needs at both campuses.
He spoke to the background of the bill. He explained that Grant
Baker, Associate Dean for the School of Engineering at UAF, has
pointed out the shortage of engineers in Alaska, the scale of
industry demand for "Alaskan grown" engineers, and the resources
required for the University of Alaska (UA) to meet this demand.
He added that some companies are resorting to sending Alaska's
engineering design work outside of the state. However, outside
engineering firms often do not have the technical knowledge or
foundation in arctic or northern engineering, which is critical
to the work the state would like done. Only 18 percent of
engineers in Alaska have degrees from UA and 35 percent are not
residents. He noted that, according to the Department of Labor
and Workforce Development (DOLWD), the shortage of engineers is
expected to grow.
He said in 2006 the UA Board of Regents set a priority to double
the annual engineering graduates by 2014 and the legislature
needs to take steps in order to help UA reach that goal. He
noted that since 2006 the enrollment at UAF's engineering
program has tripled and UAA's has doubled. However, current
facilities cannot accommodate the current enrollment. The
appropriations included in the bill are developed to facilitate
the design and construction of these facilities and provide the
resource for the state to "grow their own engineers."
8:07:53 AM
DALE NELSON, Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
and Chair, Legislative Liaison Committee, Alaska Professional
Design Council (APDC), testified in support of SB 107. He said
he has practiced civil engineering in the state for over 40
years. He said the ASCE has 800 members in Alaska and 140,000
members throughout the United States. He noted that one of
ASCE's goals is the continuation of engineering education. In
regards to APDC, there are over 1,500 members. APDC continues to
work closely with each member society and with the Architect,
Engineers, and Land Surveyors Board.
He said that there are a lot of engineers that do not "stick
around" Alaska; if engineers are trained in the state then they
are more knowledgeable of the environment and conditions and
more likely to stay. There is a demand for new engineering
students, however in order to properly train and educate
students adequate space is needed, he explained.
He showed the committee an example of an advertisement from
Conoco Philips placed in the Juneau Empire, which focused on an
individual attending UAA's School of Engineering.
8:15:01 AM
GRANT BAKER, Associate Dean, School of Engineering, University
of Alaska Anchorage, testified in support of SB 107. He drew the
committee's attention to a packet produced by UAA which summed
up its argument and support for the bill [packet included in the
document packet, titled: Support New UA Engineering Buildings SB
107]. He explained that he is here to represent the students and
industries that need engineers. He noted that there are 1,000
current engineering students, 100's of alumni that have
graduated, and at least 100 industries that need engineers. He
explained that industries are encountering the issue of
individuals coming to retirement age and there is no one to take
their place. This will only become more of an issue in the
future, he added.
He read the following from the packet [located on page 3]:
In a state as underdeveloped as Alaska, the need for
engineers is crucial. From developing natural
resources to building infrastructure to creating
communications systems that link remote villages, the
jobs that engineers perform are required to move
Alaska forward.
He explained that the engineering plan is to double the number
of engineers at UA to at least 200 per year; currently UA is
about half-way there. He noted that the issue is seniors have
become "bottlenecked" in the program because UA doesn't have the
lab space needed in order for these individuals to graduate.
He explained that the study done by Ira Fink showed that the
growth of UAA and UAF has been tremendous. For example, UAA had
150 majors in 2005 and 650 in 2010. However, there has not been
an increase in space. He noted that UAF is also experiencing a
similar need for space. He said that UA is also observing, in
the past year, an added wave of students that are coming from
the engineering academies from high schools.
He continued that DOLWD's Alaska Economic Trends report is also
included in the packet provided. He paraphrased the following
from the report [located on page 25 of the document]:
All together, more than 81,000 projected STEM
[science, technology, engineering, and math] openings
will need to be filled.
In 2008, the highest STEM employment was engineering,
life and physical sciences, and computer and math
science, in that order.
He continued on page 26:
Because an educated workforce is fundamental to STEM
jobs, emphasis at the national level is on improving
math and science education for students in
kindergarten through 12th grade.
He said SB 107 does not only help university students but it
helps K-12 students as well because it gives individuals a place
to go after graduating and an incentive to stay in STEM and
learn more science and mathematics.
He read the following from page 28 of the report:
Alaska's STEM workforce is aging, and replacements
will be needed as these workers retire. About 41
percent of Alaska's STEM workers were ages 45 to 64 in
2008, and many of these workers will retire in the
near future.
Finally, he read the closing paragraph of the Trends report:
The contributions that engineers, scientists, and
other STEM workers make to the state are multifaceted,
as they solve problems and bolster the economy
throughout Alaska's industries.
He stressed that SB 107 secures a future of Alaska and is an
economic stimulus and powerhouse for generating the economic
growth of the state.
8:23:03 AM
SENATOR FRENCH asked whether the two buildings would get UAA and
UAF up to its 200 graduate per year goal or beyond that.
MR. BAKER replied yes; the space would meet the absolute minimum
current needs of students, as of the fall of 2009. He noted that
he believes UAF and UAA could graduate more than 200 students
per year; however it would stretch the facilities.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if the workforce could absorb the 200
graduates per year.
MR. BAKER answered yes; at least 200. He referred back to the
Alaska Economic Trends report, which discussed the current
engineering occupations available in Alaska. He noted that
engineering training is very versatile and individuals can go
into other areas that are important to the state as well.
8:24:57 AM
DOUG GOERING, Dean, College of Engineering and Mines, University
of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) testified in support of SB 107. He
thanked the committee for the past facility planning funds that
were requested through the UA Board of Regents. He referred the
committee to the UA Engineering Plan for 2010, which is
available on the UA website and was summarized in the packet
[discussed previously by Mr. Baker]. He explained that the plan
does conclude that there are significant space deficits at both
UAF and UAA, based on current enrollment and research needs. The
facility planning effort has been necessitated by the
unprecedented growth at UAF in both engineering enrollments and
research activity. He noted that following the engineering
initiative put into place in 2006, the college's enrollment has
increased by 70 percent. UAA's enrollment has also increased
dramatically. He said that he believes this increase is due to
the growth in recruitment and outreach efforts and increased
focus on STEM education in the United States. He noted that this
increased enrollment currently adds a lot of pressure on the
staff and facility. He reiterated Senator Ellis' comments, made
previously on the Senate floor: that it is important to have
engineers who know the state and are not afraid of the climate
and who know about arctic engineering principals.
8:28:19 AM
ROB LANG, Dean, School of Engineering, University of Alaska
Anchorage, testified in support of SB 107. He said the need for
these facilities is as strong as it was last year when he came
before the committee. He thanked the committee for their past
support. He said he believes having strong facilities will draw
students to UAF and UAA and that there is also a large increase
in interest from high school students. He opined that these
facilities could make a significant difference for the state and
the quality of life for Alaskans.
8:30:50 AM
JOHN AHO, Chair, Advisory Board, School of Engineering,
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), testified in support of SB
107. He provided a summary of his background, which included 35
years of engineering in Alaska. He said UAA has an inadequate
engineering facility, which could result in the loss of
graduating high school seniors and current university students
to outside universities. He noted that, in his experience,
hiring residents educated in Alaska is a win-win situation
because individuals are trained and familiar with the
environmental conditions and their roots are in the state. He
explained that there is a tendency to lose individuals who are
not used to the harsh climates.
8:32:50 AM
ROBERT BALDWIN, Vice Chair, Alaska Science and Technology and
Director, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE), testified in support of SB 107. He explained that high
enrollment demand is best met in the locale where it exists and
direct access is extremely important for students considering an
education in engineering. He explained that the lack of space
and equipment can threaten the accreditation of a university and
could cause some of Alaska's brightest students to leave the
state. He said "we cannot afford to continue to ship this vital
resource outside Alaska to benefit other states." He explained
that a stable engineering workforce composed of resident
Alaskans has immediate economic benefits for the state and a
large potential to provide innovative new products, businesses,
and industries.
8:36:23 AM
JACK WILBUR, President, Design Alaska, testified in support of
SB 107. He said that he attended UAF and has been practicing
engineering in Alaska for 40 years. He explained that UAF
desperately needs expanded engineering facilities in order to
meet the ever-expanding need for engineers in the state. He said
that Design Alaska, an architectural and surveying firm, depends
heavily on UAF to provide the growing firm with engineering
graduates. There are eighteen Design Alaska engineers who are
UAF graduates, nine of its employees are currently seeking UAF
undergraduate engineering degrees, and two of its employees are
seeking UAF graduate degrees in engineering. He urged the
committee to support SB 107.
8:38:16 AM
STEPHANIE YOUNG, Student, College of Engineering and Mining,
University of Alaska Fairbanks, testified in support of SB 107.
She explained that she is a senior-level civil engineering
student graduating in May. She said that she is an example of
the successful engineering program at UAF and a witness to the
growth of the program. She stressed the need to expand the
facilities for UAF's engineering program including both lab and
classroom space.
8:39:19 AM
Stephen Nuss, Vice President, Anchorage Branch, American Society
of Civil Engineering (ASCE) testified in support of SB 107. He
said he is very familiar with the facilities at both UAF and
UAA. He explained that investment into these two facilities is
needed and the return to the Alaska's future will be
significant. He noted that as Alaska's infrastructure ages the
need for engineers to plan, perform, and oversee its renewal
will be necessary.
He added that for ASCE's summer internship program there were
eighteen applicants, with five of the applicants attending
college out-of-state. He opined that the passage of SB 107,
which will provide investment to these facilities, will attract
and retain the best and brightest students who will lead
Alaska's development into the future.
8:41:05 AM
ANNE BROOKS, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska testified
in support of SB 107. She said that both ASCE and the Institute
of Transportation Engineers are concerned about the aging
infrastructure in Alaska. She reiterated the importance of
"growing our own" engineers in Alaska. She explained that,
according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), more
often than not, engineers brought to the state will only stay
for their three-year commitment before leaving, at a loss of
$70,000 to USACE per year, per person. This is not sustainable.
She stressed that the funding involved in SB 107 would be a
smart investment. She concurred with Mr. Baldwin's testimony
that "we are at a crisis level." She explained that since she
graduated from UAA in 1988 and aside from the ANSEP [Alaska
Native Science & Engineering Program] building and the
Integrated Science building, the facilities have changed very
little. Today, students are working in substandard conditions
for a major university. She urged the committee to support SB
107.
8:44:34 AM
LEVERETTE HOOVER, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska
testified in support of SB 107. He noted that he is the general
manager of Siemens Building Technology, is on the advisory board
for the Diamond Engineering Academy and Lathrop Engineering
Academy, and on the Board of Directors for the School Business
Partnerships for the Anchorage School District. He added that he
is also an adjunct professor for the University of Alaska
Anchorage at Mat-Su College. He said that all of his points have
been summarized by previous testimony. He explained that five
years ago Siemens Building Technology invested money to start
the engineering academies at Diamond and Lathrop High School. He
added that the corporation has invested a quarter million
dollars over the last five years to recruit engineers from out-
of-state and none of those engineers are still located in the
state.
8:46:39 AM
JIM LITTLE, Civil Engineer and Member, Advisory Council, College
of Engineering and Mining, testified in support of SB 107. He
said UAF has a wonderful team of engineering professors who are
extremely exceptional in the educational process and their
involvement with the community. He stressed that SB 107 would
give the faculty the tools to continue doing so.
8:48:25 AM
MARGARET YNGVE, Student, College of Engineering and Mining,
University of Alaska Fairbanks, testified in support of SB 107.
She explained that she is a student in the Mining and Geological
program at UAF. She said that in the last year the department
has experienced substantial growth. She explained that three
years ago she was the only freshman entering into geological
engineering and she will be graduating with 13 other
individuals. She explained that in the last year the department
has experienced the loss of all student engineering club spaces
and student study areas to make room for more classrooms. She
continued that the geohydrology lab has, essentially, become
warm storage and the geomaterial lab is a 7 by 14 foot room with
no windows.
8:50:24 AM
BEN LARUE, Group Operations Manager, Siemens Building
Technology, testified in support of SB 107. He explained that he
has been directly involved with UAF for the past 15 years both
as a student and as an employer through Siemens. He stressed
that Siemens needs engineers that are locally trained and this
is the best time to invest in the engineering programs at UA.
8:51:21 AM
RICHARD HUGHES, Member, Advisory and Development Council,
College of Engineering and Mining, University of Alaska
Fairbanks testified in support of SB 107.
8:52:07 AM
ROGER BURGGRAF, representing himself, testified in support of SB
107. He explained that he works in the mining industry and
employs numerous geological engineers who have graduated from
UAF. He said with the growth and need of engineers in order to
build Alaska's future it is important to have the facilities
that will enable UA to graduate quality engineers.
8:53:19 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced he would keep public testimony open
and hold SB 107 in committee.
8:53:49 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:53 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 107 Bill Packet 4.6.11.pdf |
SEDC 4/6/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 107 |