Budget Proposal Narrative Division: Academic Affairs

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1 Budget Proposal Narrative Division: Academic Affairs Establishing an Engineering Geology BS Degree at WWU Statement of Purpose: (What is the problem or opportunity being addressed? How will you address this problem or opportunity?) (Decision Package Criterion 3) Project Description The Geology Department s goal is to develop a BS Degree in Engineering Geology that will be unique to the state, integrate with other geoscience disciplines in the Geology Department, have affiliations with a variety of Institutes and Departments at WWU, and develop marketable graduates that will serve the needs of the state and the nation. What is engineering geology? Engineering geology is a geoscience discipline that involves the interpretation, analysis, and application of geological information and data to civil works (e.g., buildings, bridges, roads, dams); the characterization of geologic hazards such as those from landslides, coastal erosion, flooding, and earthquakes; and the assessment of groundwater quantity and quality. The core values of the engineering geology discipline are to protect the health and welfare of people and property. Engineering geologists are applied geoscientists they are different from engineers such as geotechnical engineers or geological engineers who work more with the design elements of civil works. Washington State regulates the practice of engineering geology and requires professional licensing. Engineering geologists can become licensed engineering geologists (LEGs), not professional engineers (PEs) like civil engineers or geological engineers. Both Oregon and California license engineering geologists. Currently there are about 600 LEGs in Washington. Why is there a need for an Engineering Geologist BS Degree in Washington State? Although Washington State regulates the practice of engineering geology, none of the eight colleges and universities with BS geosciences programs in the state are providing the academic training necessary for a BS degree in engineering geology. This is problematic because the demand for engineering geologists in the state is growing due to increased development, hazard assessment efforts, environmental regulations, and future LEG retirements. We have the full support of both the National and Washington Section of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG) and Washington State agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) and the Department of Transportation (WADOT) entities which hire engineering geologists. Tom Badger, the Chief Engineering Geologist for WADOT (a WWU geology alumnus) and Dave Norman, the Washington State Geologist and manager of the Geology & Earth Sciences Division and Director of the Washington State Geologic Survey of the WADNR, are strong advocates of an engineering geology program at WWU and are willing to write letters of support. 1

2 Why engineering geology at WWU? The Geology Department at WWU has a reputation of producing highly qualified, fieldcompetent geologists. WWU has produced more licensed geologists (LGs) than any other higher education institution in the state more than the University of Washington and Washington State combined. Our goal is to uphold this reputation by producing high numbers of LEGs as well. Note that an LEG is a specialty license; one must attain the LG license before becoming an LEG. There are approximately 2300 active LGs in the state. A second specialty license in the state is hydrogeology (LHG) there are about 1000 LGHs in the state. Our degree plan would also service the training of LHGs. Our extensive alumni base of working professionals has advocated for, and will support an engineering geology degree program and its future graduates. The Geology Department has the core elements of an engineering geology curriculum in place, and there is significant student interest. A recent survey of geology undergraduates asked a question Please rate your interest in engineering geology as a potential major. On a scale of 0-to-5, about 82% rated it 3 or above; and 34% rated the engineering geology degree option as a 5. The Geology Department has also been endowed with partial resources to facilitate an engineering geology program. Robert and Kathleen Digges established four endowments to benefit the Geology Department; two of these directly support engineering geology. Robert H. and Kathleen Digges Distinguished Professorship to support a geology faculty with teaching and research in the area of engineering geology. Steven and Edith Grega Memorial Fellowship to be awarded to a graduate student who has a special interest in engineering geology. Anticipated Outcome(s): (Decision Package Criterion 3) The primary outcome is an engineering geology degree that is unique to the state a degree that will attract students to the geosciences and develop marketable graduates that will serve multiple critical needs of the state and the nation. We will acquire additional geoscience faculty and support staff for a growing Geology Department and other science disciplines; foster affiliations with developing Institutes and initiatives at WWU; promote professional collaboration outside of campus. This proposal aligns with the College of Sciences and Technology s strategic goal to develop new programmatic initiatives directly targeted at the critical needs of the state of Washington. Anticipated New Positions Although we have a core foundation for engineering geology in place, our engineering geology degree objective would require three new full time tenure-track faculty (FTT) members to embrace the discipline and geology s growing existing degree plans, with possible joint positions in Huxley College. Below are five optional disciplines, ranked in terms of importance. 1. A geoscientist specializing in the mechanics of landslides, debris flows, or lahars with a soil mechanics emphasis. 2

3 2. A geoscientist specializing in geomechanics which would offer a rock mechanics element to the program. 3. A geoscientist specializing in the analysis of earthquake hazards such as liquefaction. 4. A geoscientist specializing in coastal geomorphology and/or engineering (which would also service our proposed oceanography expansion). 5. A geoscientist specializing in fluvial geomorphology as applied to flooding, debris flows, and/or stream restoration. Our objective would require one new staff person to support the engineering geology BS degree and geology s existing degree plans; this could possibly be a joint position with Huxley College to support their GIS Minor, i.e., a geospatial specialist that would serve our GIS curriculum and support advanced GIS analysis, digital mapping, and specialized digital instrumentation and software like the TLS. We also request a staff upgrade of an existing OA3 staff person to a Program Coordinator to facilitate student advising and program coordination. Resource Impacts We anticipate in the near term that most engineering geology majors will result from students transferring from our existing degree plans into the engineering geology major. In time, the engineering geology degree will attract majors due to its unique purpose and marketability, thus impacting service courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Assuming additional or more new students in the future, we request funds for two additional FTTs to mitigate the impact on mathematics, physics, and chemistry departments which are already experiencing an overabundance of student-credit hours supported by non-tenure track faculty. Costs and Timeline The degree would evolve over three years with a new faculty hire each year and a staff person the first year. This project is reasonably fundable via State appropriation (i.e., decision package) and includes the following requirements (budget attached): Three FTT Assistant Professors in Geology (salary and benefits). 245,348 One-time start-up support for three Geology FTT.. 300,000 Two FTT Assistant Professors (math, chemistry, physics) (salary and benefits).163,565 One-time start-up support for two FTT (math, chemistry, physics) ,000 One full-time GIS Specialist, Grade 5 (salary and benefits)....62,064 One Geology GTA (tuition waiver not listed here)...12,561 Staff upgrade from OA3 to Program Coordinator (salary and benefits) Increase in Geology s operating budget Indirect Costs ,083 TOTAL...1,068,696 3

4 Proposed Engineering Geology Curriculum The degree plan proposed below is in part based on the review of engineering geology literature and discussions with Dr. Paul Santi, Chair of the Geoscience and Resource Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines, and Tom Badger, Chief Engineering Geologist for WADOT. The degree plan would satisfy WWU institutional goals and the geology department s program outcomes. The curriculum includes core geology courses with an emphasis on surficial processes and the addition of unique courses e.g., engineering geology, soil & rock mechanics, site characterization, and geomechanics; and policy and regulations. Students would be advised to consider the Disaster Risk Reduction minor or the GIS minor in Huxley College. Supporting Sciences and Math (44 credits) MATH 124, 125, 224 (15); PHYS 161, 162, 163 (15); CHEM 121, 122, 123 (14) Major Courses (53 credits) GEOL 211: Physical Geology (5) GEOL 213: GIS in Geology (3) GEOL 311: Earth Materials (5) GEOL 310: Geomorphology (5) GEOL 314: Engineering Geology (4) GEOL 318: Structural Geology (4) GEOL 409, 410: Field Camp (12) GEOL 415: Stratigraphy & Sedimentation (4) GEOL 473: Hydrogeology (4) GEOL 497A: Soil Mechanics/Rock Mechanics (4) NEW COURSE GEOL 497B: Geologic Site Characterization (4) NEW COURSE Geology Electives (8 credits) *UPGRADED COURSES GEOL 412: Tectonic Geomorphology (4) GEOL 413: Fluvial Geomorphology (4)* GEOL 430: Image Interpretation (3) GEOL 449: Geomechanics (4)* GEOL 451: Active Tectonics (4) GEOL 470: Landslides & Slope Stability (4)* GEOL 474: Groundwater Contamination (3) Policy/Regulation Electives (at least one course from the following) ENVS 372: Natural Hazards Planning ENVS 465: Disaster Reduction Planning ENS 456: US and Washington State Environmental Regulations ESCI 497L: Science and Management of Contaminated Sites I (SMoCS) Three new faculty members would share the load of GEOL 314 and GEOL473; teach new courses in soil/rock mechanics and site characterization; and teach upgraded courses in geomechanics, fluvial geomorphology, and landslides & slope stability, in addition to supporting core courses in all of the geoscience majors and potentially the Disaster Reduction Minor and SMoCS program. 4

5 To transform this degree plan into a Geological Engineering program would require ABET oversight and accreditation; and the implementation of standard engineering courses such as statics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, and the integration of design courses specific to the discipline; in addition to differential equations and economics. To satisfy these criteria, faculty with a strong engineering education would be required. Metrics: (How will outcomes be measured?) We will measure the outcomes of our proposed engineering geology BS degree by monitoring the 1) growth in the number of majors, 2) degree of collaboration with interdisciplinary programs such as the Disaster Reduction minor in Huxley College, 3) quantity of BS degrees produced, 4) increase in membership in WWU s AEG Student Chapter, 5) passing rate on the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Exams (geology licensing exam), 6) employment success of graduates, 7) acceptance of engineering geology BS graduates into related graduate programs, and 8) the external funding and scholarship productivity of engineering geology tenure-track faculty. How does this project support the University Mission and Strategic Objectives? (Decision Package Criteria 1 & 3) An engineering geology degree that is unique to the state of Washington will expand student access to a rigorous and engaging education, produce marketable graduates that will serve the needs of the state and nation, recruit quality geoscience faculty and support staff for a growing Geology Department, build up affiliations with developing Institutes and initiatives at WWU, foster professional collaboration that will foster communities beyond the campus. This proposal aligns with the College of Sciences and Technology s strategic goal to develop new programmatic initiatives directly targeted at the critical needs of the state of Washington. Expand student access to rigorous and engaging STEM education The number of majors in the Geology Department has more than doubled in the last decade and will continue to grow as WWU increases enrollment, especially in STEM fields. Our objective is to hire new faculty and staff to develop an engineering geology BS degree that is unique to the state and a degree that will expand STEM education options to students and attract majors. Course enrollments are at or above maximum levels in geology, which aren t sustainable and will lead to a lower quality education and a longer time-to-degree without additional faculty and staff support. Although our anticipated new hires will specialize in an engineering geology discipline, their geoscience foundation will enable them to support all the existing degree plans, thus allowing the Geology Department to sustain its quality, field-based undergraduate reputation and an efficient time-to-degree for more students. Serving the needs of the State In addition to satisfying WWU s strategic goals, our initiative also satisfies numerous needs of the state and the Governor s priorities related to education and sustainable economic development. 5

6 1. Our proposal fulfills the Governor s number one goal to increase access to higher education; specifically 1.3.a. Increase number of students enrolled in STEM and identified high-demand employment programs. A degree, unique to the state will attract students Our plan addresses the Governor s priority to develop prosperous economy (e.g., jobs), specifically his goal to uphold a Sustainable, Efficient Infrastructure, including water availability (e.g., 3.1). According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the 2013 Report Card for WA State s infrastructure is unacceptable and will require upgrading (e.g., bridges C-, drinking water C-, roads D+ ( Engineering geologists play a significant role in infrastructure development. 3. Another million people are expected in the Puget Sound region in the next 10 years. Population growth, sustainable development in challenging geologic terrain, infrastructure, and environmental regulation are increasing the demand for engineering geologists in the state. For example: The Washington State Growth Management Act recommends geologic hazard assessment (RCW 36.70A.060); hazard assessment is also required for state, local, or tribal governments to be eligible for federal hazard mitigation grant funding according to the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2K). The Washington State Emergency Management Council s Seismic Safety Committee completed a final report in 2012 related to seismic hazards. A number of their recommendations involve the expertise of engineering geologists, including: Recommendation 6. Strengthen regional transportation networks; Recommendation 8. Identify and map in greater detail sources of seismicity and geologically hazardous areas and develop plans for mitigation of identified hazards, and Recommendation 9. Improve life safety in coastal communities at risk of local tsunamis. See Washington State has over 3000 miles of tidal shoreline, and given forecasts of global climate change and sea-level rise, coastal seismic, tsunami, erosion and landslide hazards will increase along with the re-engineering of developed coastal regions. The Watershed Planning Act (RCW 90.82), Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A), and the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) and economic incentives are driving water supply needs, water quality, and stream restoration for salmon in the state. 4. Projected retirement of professionals also threatens the access to qualified engineering geologists in the future. Geologic consulting firms, municipalities, and county and state agencies such as the WADOT and WADNR are examples of entities that hire engineering geologists. Most of these require or encourage professional licensing. In addition, a high percentage of the current licensed engineering geologists in Washington State are in the senior stages of their careers. Nearly 70% of the 600 current LEGs are 51 years or older; 51% are 56 or older and 29% are 61 or older. Thus, a demand for well-trained engineering geologists will exist for decades in Washington (and Oregon and California). 6

7 Serving the needs of the Nation Currently, no institution offers a B.S. in engineering geology; although a number offer an engineering geology concentration (e.g. Texas A&M, Portland State, San Jose State, UCLA, UT- Arlington). There is a serious concern that engineering geology training is waning nationally due to faculty retirees who are not being replaced due to rebasing decisions at universities. Especially in western states such as California, Oregon, and Washington where engineering geologists are licensed. Recently, the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG) Foundation established the Corner Stone Fund to support the teaching and research of engineering geology and geological engineering at colleges and universities in the US. Robert Tepel, an AEG Honoree, and former AEG President, is leading the charge for the Corner Stone Fund. WWU Geology Faculty member Robert Mitchell participated on the Corner Stone Fund steering committee. Robert Tepel would be willing to write a letter in support of the development of an engineering geology degree at WWU. What are the consequences of not funding this package? (Decision Package Criterion 3) None of the eight colleges and universities with BS geosciences programs in the state are providing the academic training necessary for a BS degree in engineering geology. Ultimately, state agencies and consulting firms will rely on geo-professionals outside the state of Washington because the demand for engineering geologists in the state is growing due to increased development, hazard assessment efforts, environmental regulations, and future LEG retirements. What alternatives were explored and why was this alternative chosen? (Decision Package Criterion 3) Although we have the basis for an engineering geology degree in place, it currently relies heavily on a single faculty member, and hence, is unsustainable. To meet the demand for quality, interdisciplinary graduates that will service several critical needs of the state multiple faculty positions, covering a range of specialties are required to establish a sustainable, multidisciplinary program. Which units (departments, colleges, etc.) will be involved? (Decision Package Criterion 4) Leveraging WWU Capabilities and Interdisciplinary Connections An engineering geology program would bridge nicely with Huxley College s Resilience Institute and Disaster Risk Reduction minor whose mission is to reduce social and physical vulnerability to natural hazards. Engineering geologists use their geologic expertise to discover and evaluate geologically-sourced risks, communicate those risks to clients and decision-makers, and advise on how to manage or avoid those risks. Courses in the Disaster Risk Reduction program in Huxley College (e.g., ENVS 372 and ENVS 465) or the minor, would allow our engineering geology majors to be leaders in future sustainable development projects. Robert Mitchell has been in communication with Scott Miles (Director) and Rebekah Green (Associate Director) of the Resilience Institute and facilitators of the Disaster Reduction Minor, and they are both supportive of future collaborative efforts. 7

8 An engineering geology program would also connect well with Huxley College s Spatial Institute and whose mission is to facilitate collaborative research and exchange of spatial information and analysis; and Huxley s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Minor. Visualizing and interpreting digital spatial data and mapping with GIS are fundamental to the practice of engineering geology. For example, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is becoming a common tool for engineering geology projects, but is currently relatively inaccessible on WWU s campus. Staff persons who could offer expertise in TLS and other digital tools and software would satisfy the Spatial Institute s mission and serve the GIS and spatial analysis goals of the Geology Department and Huxley College s and Geographical Information Systems Minor. Robert Mitchell has been in communication with Michael Medler (Chair of Environmental studies and Spatial Institute Director) and he too is supportive of future collaborative efforts. A core activity of engineering geology is geologic site characterization. As such, curriculum could also integrate with Huxley s new series of courses titled the Science and Management of Contaminated sites (SMoCS). The SMoCS courses are designed to expose students to a collaborative approach to the science, policy, and communication associated with the cleanup of contaminated sites in Washington State. Ruth Solfield (Associate Professor) in Huxley College is leading the SMoCS charge, and is enthusiastic about collaborative relations. Engineering geology would also weave nicely with the expanded SMoCS elements proposed decision package titled: Building Science Infrastructure, Capacity and Capability. WWU is in the beginning stages of developing an ABET-accredited engineering program. An engineering geology program would integrate perfectly with future engineering programs such as civil engineering. In fact, based on future directions, an engineering geology program could evolve to a geological engineering degree (i.e., ABET-accredited engineering degree). List any external advocates. (Decision Package Criterion 4) Potential Outside Collaborations We have the full support of both the National and Washington Section of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG) and the AEG Foundation. The AEG is a national organization of professionals and academics that advocate for the public welfare by providing leadership, education, and the publication of applied research in environmental and engineering geology. AEG s support would come through their commitment to education via scholarships and contacts for internships. WWU has an AEG Student Chapter (founded in November 2011). Student members of AEG get access to publications and meetings, learning opportunities about real world geology, and networking opportunities that enhance their professional development. AEG professional members would serve as ideal partners for student internships and faculty doing applied research in the College of Sciences and Technology s Corporate Alliance Program. Thus, our vision fosters Western's expertise and collaborative approach to strengthen communities beyond the campus. Washington State agencies such as the Geology and Earth Science and the Forest Practices Divisions of the DNR and the Department of Transportation hire engineering geologists for construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects, and to assess and map 8

9 geologic hazards, such as earthquakes (ground shaking, liquefaction and tsunamis), landslides, volcanic hazards, and coastal erosion. These agencies are equally interested, are in support of an engineering geology degree at WWU and could potentially partner with the department through CST s Corporate Alliance Program. In fact, Tom Badger (a WWU geology alumnus) is the Chief Engineering Geologist for WADOT and has worked with Robert Mitchell on the development of engineering geology program at WWU. Moreover, Dave Norman, the Washington State Geologist and manager of the Geology & Earth Sciences Division and Director of the Washington State Geologic Survey of the WADNR, is a strong advocate of an engineering geology program at WWU. Both Tom and Dave would be willing to write letters of support. Equipment: (For major (>25k) purchases, please provide the following information.) (Decision Package Criterion 2) Purpose: Specific equipment has not been identified and will depend on the needs of new FTT hires. We are requesting a minimum of 300K for three competitive geoscience start-up packages that will support the necessary classroom, field and research equipment; and 100k for each of the two FTT hires in mathematics and/or physics and/or chemistry. Existing materials testing equipment in Engineering Technology may be shared (e.g., MTS SinTech G-series Material Testing Workstation). Cost: Click here to enter text Operating & Maintenance Costs: Click here to enter text Anticipated Useful Life: Click here to enter text Replacement Cost if any: Click here to enter text Space Requirements: (Decision Package Criterion 2) How much new space will be required? Additional space will be required for offices and laboratories for three new FTT faculty members and a staff person in geology and two new FTT faculty members in chemistry and/or mathematics and/or physics. Some space could potentially be shared with Huxley College. Existing space in geology may be sufficient after modification, e.g., ES 60 (the Coastal Lab which has plumbing and three-phase power) and ES

10 Is appropriate space available on campus? Select Yes or No If no, what space is needed and what features must the space have (e.g., fume hoods, plumbing, 3-phase power, etc.)? Click here to enter text 10

11 WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Establishing an Engineering Geology BS Degree at WWU FY FY STUDENT FTE ( 1FTE =15 Student Credit Hours ) GENERATED FROM PROPOSAL 0 0 Year One Year Two FY FY Employee One Time Recurring Total Total Cost Employee One Time Recurring Total Total Cost Salary & Benefit Information Automatically Populated from Personnel Budget Tab FTE Costs Costs Costs Per SFTE FTE Costs Costs Costs Per SFTE DO NOT ENTER SALARY & BENEFITS DATA HERE Faculty Salaries , , , ,000 Professional Salaries ,000 45, ,000 45,000 Classified Salaries ,816 3, ,816 3,816 Student Salaries (Graduate Assistants, Hourly Student, etc) ,000 13, ,000 13,000 Benefits , , , ,751 Total Salaries & Benefits 0 490, , , ,567 0 Enter "Goods and Services" here Supplies and Materials 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 Professional Service Contracts (please detail below) Equipment and Personal Technology including new faculty setup costs * 450, ,000 Other Goods and Services (includes memberships, supplies, materials) Total Goods and Services 450,000 5, , ,000 5,000 0 Enter "Travel" here Lodging Automobile Rental Air Travel Ground Transportation Other travel costs 20,000 5,000 25,000 12,500 12,500 Total Travel 20,000 5,000 25, ,500 12,500 0 Indirect Costs (Default): Libraries** (Estimated at 10k per faculty member) 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 Academic Support Services/Student Support Services (3% of Direct Costs) 15,017 15,017 15,242 15,242 Institutional Support (2% of Direct Costs) 10,011 10,011 10,161 10,161 Plant Operation and Maintenance (3% of Direct Costs) 15,017 15,017 15,242 15,242 Total Indirect Costs 90,045 90, ,645 90,645 0 Total Expenditures 470, ,612 1,060, , ,712 0 * Setup for new Faculty Positions should be included, ranging from 7,500 to more than 75,000, depending on discipline. ** For highcost library services, please override formula and include actual anticipated cost of library periodical and purchases on onetime and/or recurring basis. STEP 3 Goods,Services, Other January 10, 2014 the Budget Office

12 WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY BIENNIAL DECISION PACKAGE PROPOSAL Establishing an Engineering Geology BS Degree at WWU Year 1 Year 2 (If Applicable) RESOURCES FY FY Fund 001, General Fund - State 1,060, ,712 Fund 149, Tuition Operating Fees 0 0 Fund OTHER 0 0 Total Resources 1,060, ,712 USES (EXPENDITURES) Faculty 310, ,000 Graduate Teaching/Research Assistants 13,000 13,000 Professional Staff 45,000 45,000 Classified 3,816 3,816 Salaries and Wages - Total 371, ,816 Employee Benefits 118, ,751 Goods, Services, and Travel 570, ,145 Total Expenditures 1,060, ,712 STAFFING FTE Faculty Graduate Teaching /Research Assistants Exempt Professional Classified Total FTE STEP 4 REVENUE January 10, 2014 the Budget Office