FLORIDA ENGINEERING SOCIETY
PROFESSIONAL POLICY (PP No. 1A)

EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

The objectives of the Florida Engineering Society include "advancement of the public welfare and enhancement of the qualifications for professional practice of all engineers." In seeking to accomplish these objectives the Florida Engineering Society has given the highest priority to the strengthening of engineering education within the State of Florida as being in the best interests of all the citizens of Florida.

The years since the advent of the space era in Florida have been a period of unprecedented growth and thrust toward economic diversification. With a quality of life and unique natural environment second to none, Florida has become the number one destination of choice for tourists, industrial concerns, and new residents alike.

In this context the Florida Engineering Society strongly supports efforts to achieve an engineering education system of excellent quality. Florida should guarantee its young people the opportunities to achieve sufficient educational background to prepare them for the complexities of contemporary engineering practice. To do less will mean denial of opportunities to accept responsibilities imposed on the state by the demands of a highly competitive marketplace.

The Florida Engineering Society applauds the progress made in recent years toward achieving a measure of distinction for Engineering programs within the State University System (SUS). The highest priorities for action by the Florida Legislature, insofar as engineering education is concerned continue to be enhancement of quality of established engineering schools, provisions for continuing/graduate education, and increased production of engineers. The provisions of funds (i.e. fixed capital outlay, education and general, and quality improvement programs) sufficient to insure continued progress is a vital matter. Adequate space for instruction and research, faculty positions and salaries competitive on the national scene, modern state of the art laboratory equipment, and appropriate support services should receive priority funding considerations in the legislation process.

Expansion of engineering programs in the SUS should be consistent with proven needs and quality enhancement of established schools, in order to optimize the use of available resources, achieve overall quality improvement, and assure maximum return on investment in engineering education. Development of other alternatives, whether via new units or contractual arrangements with independent institutions, should be carefully investigated and evaluated in light of overall impact on available resources.

The State of Florida has an opportunity to achieve a measure of excellence in Engineering Education that will have an impact on the well being of the State for generations to come. The Florida Board of Regents, the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission, and the Florida Legislature are strongly urged to continue their efforts to provide an investment in established engineering schools that will insure achievement of that goal.

Approved by the FES Board of Directors
March 25, 1983

Amended by the FES Board of Directors
August 1, 1991

Reaffirmed by the FES Board of Directors
September 21, 1995
July 29, 1999