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​This year’s National Engineers and Surveyors weeks celebrated our state’s professionals and the difference they make in our communities. Though these national recognition weeks take place in different months, they provide individuals from both professions the chance to give back and inspire the next generation of engineers and surveyors. Professionals from across the state volunteered and participated in numerous activities aimed at increasing awareness among students and celebrating the work from this past year.

Engineers week took place this year during February 18-24. Activities included career fairs, classroom visits and various team challenges across the state. The 54th annual Engineers Week High School Program took place in Portland, OR and welcomed over 400 students from local schools. The program offered students the opportunity to visit local businesses, participate in mini-workshops with professionals, teachers, parents, and an evening dinner with engineering professionals.

The Willamette Valley Section of the Society of Women Engineers hosted the 19th annual Willamette Valley Engineers Week Awards Banquet on February 26 at Oregon State University. The event encourages young individuals to consider careers in engineering. These activities and more across the state helped engage students and celebrate our state’s engineers!

Board members and OSBEELS staff participated at the Engineers Week High School Program and attended the 11th annual Future Engineers Day in Keizer, OR where they had the opportunity to join in discussions to help inform students about careers in engineering and professional licensure.

National Surveyors week took place this year from March 18-24. An initiative promoted by the National Society of Professional Surveyors, Surveyors week was highlighted by Global Surveyors Day on Wednesday, March 21. The day included career fairs and student activities hosted by the United Way, South Western Oregon Community College, Oregon Gear Up, and more!​

​U.S. News recently published its annual college rankings of our nation’s private and public universities. To determine their rankings, U.S. News collected data from colleges and universities for various measures of academic excellence; from first-year student retention rates to faculty resources, admissions selectivity and graduation rates. Universities are then ranked in various categories that include best colleges for veterans, best value schools, most innovative, and best universities for specific academic programs, such as engineering or geomatics.

All five Oregon universities which offer ABET-accredited programs earned rankings in various categories. Below is a snap shot of how these universities ranked in their respective categories.

Oregon State University
#145 (out of 311) National University Ranking
​#73 (out of 132) Top Public Schools
#70 (out of 205) Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – highest engineering degree offered is doctorate​

Portland State University
#231 (out of 311) National University Ranking
#10 (out of 31) Most Innovative Schools
#137 (out of 205) Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – highest engineering degree offered is doctorate

Oregon Tech
#6 (out of 65) Regional Colleges – West
#12 (out of 51) Best Value Schools
#3 (out of 7) Top Public Schools
#38 (out of 200) Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – no doctorate program

George Fox University
#23 (out of 141) Regional Universities - West
#17 (out of 51) Best Value School
#74 (out of 200) Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – no doctorate program

University of Portland
#6 (out of 141) Regional Universities – West
#18 (out of 51) Best Value Schools
#29 (out of 200) Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – no doctorate program

​When involved in a Law Enforcement case with the Board, an individual may face a number of potential outcomes following the investigation. These outcomes include having the case dismissed, license suspension or revocation, required peer review of professional work, and/or civil penalty.

Should the Board determine a violation is substantial enough, per Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 672.325; the Board has the ability to impose a civil penalty following an investigation. 

These proposed penalties may not exceed $1,000 per offense. All individuals in receipt of civil penalties must submit payment within 10 days after the order becomes final by operation of law. Failure to pay civil penalties can result in liens, forced collections or additional penalties. In the case of non-registrants, ORS 183.745 allows the Board to file a lien with the county clerk’s office upon the title to or interest in any property of the person against whom the order was issued. As per ORS 205.126, collection on judgments from orders filed in the County Clerk Lien Record may be enforced by:

  • ​Writ of execution proceedings (ORS 18.252 to 18.993)
  • Proceedings in support of execution (ORS 18.265, 18.268 and 18.270)
  • Garnishment proceedings (ORS 18.600 to 18.850)

These proceedings allow for the examination of the debtors holdings, seizure of property that can be applied against the delinquent judgment, or garnishment of stocks, wages or property in safety deposit boxes. The Board can also utilize the services of the Oregon Department of Revenue to collect debts.

For registrants, the situation is more complicated. Registrants are subject to all of the above actions if they fail to pay their civil penalties within the 10-day period, but they’re also subject to additional civil penalties resulting from the violation of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 820-020-0045(3). Each registrant is obligated to not engage in unprofessional behavior under this rule and subsection 3, specifically addresses payments to the Board:

(3) An applicant or registrant must make timely and full payment to the Board of all Board assessed fees, fines and penalties.

Additionally, ORS 672.200 grants the Board the authority to suspend registration. The statute reads:

The State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue, restore or renew a certificate or permit, or may reprimand an individual enrolled as an intern or holding a certificate or permit:

  1. ​For violating any provision of ORS 672.045;
  2. For gross negligence, negligence or incompetence in the practice of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping;
  3. Subject to ORS 670.280, for conviction of a felony;
  4. For conviction of a misdemeanor involving the practice of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping;
  5. For failing to pay a civil penalty or fee in the manner prescribed by a final order of the board, or for failing to meet any other term of a final order of the board; or
  6. For violating a rule of professional conduct prescribed by the board

Payment plans may be available for individuals who demonstrate a need for repayment flexibility; however, such plans must be approved by the Board. For questions regarding civil penalties or payments, please contact the Board office at 503-362-2666 or by email at OSBEELS@osbeels.org.

​George Fox Group Travels to Peru to Tackle Water Issues

A group from George Fox’s Senior Design Team spent their winter break traveling to Nauta, Peru to collaborate with local missions and create innovative solutions to the major water system problems the city faces. While in Peru, the team assisted with completing a site survey, doing the conceptual design, and the basic site planning for a water systems improvement project. This spring the group will be working on completing the calculations, design options, and drawings for the project.

Oregon Tech Student Earns National Award

Oregon Tech civil engineering graduate student, Jordan Preston, was selected as the 2017 ‘Student of the Year’ by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities. Preston institute’s annual meeting in Washington D.C. Dr. Roger Lindgren, professor and graduate program director in Oregon Tech’s civil engineering department, stated, “Jordan is a remarkable student and has made a lasting impact on the civil engineering department and the larger Oregon Tech community. It has been an honor to work with her.” Criteria for the award included technical merit and research accomplishments, academic performance, professionalism and leadership.

PSU’s Society of Women Engineers Host Next Generation of Students

The ambassadors from Portland State University’s Society of Women Engineers student chapter hosted a group of Portland Public School students at the Maseeh College of Engineering in February as part of their Engineers Week activities. The visit included talking with students, engineering-related hands-on activities, and a tour of the College of Engineering’s Labs. The student ambassadors also participated in the Oregon Engineers Week High School Program by hosting tours and meeting with younger students.

OSU Graduate Students Showcase Research Work

Oregon State University’s College of Engineering held its fifth annual Graduate Research Showcase in early February. This year’s program included over 150 engineering graduate students who hosted exhibits and discussion related to their research efforts with attendees. In addition to the showcase, Jorge Cham, roboticist and cartoonist, presented to attendees on the disconnect between researchers and the public in regards to perception and communication. Participating students enjoyed the opportunity to showcase and discuss their research with members of the public. Electrical and computer engineering student Vishvas Chalishazar explained why he was excited about this event stating, “It definitely helps to boost my confidence a lot. The showcase helps us understand that just doing research is not enough.”

UP Student STEM Program Impacts Local Students

Earlier this year, the University of Portland’s UPMars STEM program hosted a daylong camp for grade school students that focused on STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering, and math. The free event focused on engaging students who come from low-income families and aimed to provide them the opportunity to learn more about these fields. UPMars, which stands for Multi-Device Autonomous Robotic System, club and other University of Portland student clubs raise money throughout the year to be able to host events and camps like this for area students and their families. The event offered participating students the opportunity to partake in a variety of STEM workshops and activities with University of Portland students.

​

​Project of the Year: Crooked River Wetlands

Firm: Anderson Perry & Associates Inc.

Consultants/Key Participants: Aquatic Contracting, George Chadwick Consulting, Rotschy Inc.

Summary: Due to a growing population in the Prineville area, the city found its wastewater treatment facility facing operating capacity issues. Prineville officials turned to Anderson Perry & Associates to help with the problem. Rather than suggesting a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility, Anderson Perry’s team designed a 120-acre wetlands system project to take on the treatment and disposal of wastewater. The firm found that the wetlands approach would save the city $57 million compared to the cost of building a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility. Anderson Perry & Associates also assisted with securing additional funding to help keep the city’s costs for the project as low as possible.

Best in Category – Transportation: US 20 Barclay Roundabout

Firms: Kittelson & Associates and Parametrix

Key Participants: City of Sisters and Knife River

Summary: Kittelson and Parametrix used their respective specialties to help the city of Sisters develop a solution to reduce the number of crashes at the intersection of Barclay Drive and US 20 and help decrease traffic congestion in the area. Due to the high amount of traffic from the freight industry on the highway, the design also acted as an ODOT pilot project for roundabouts that are designed with the freight industry in mind.

Best in Category – Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Systems: Portland Japanese Garden Expansion

Firms: KPPF and Geotechnical Resources Inc.

Other consultants/Key Participants: Anderson Krygier, Architectural Cost Consultants, Green Building Services, Hacker Architects (architect of record), Hoffman Construction, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Luma Lighting and Design, PAE, Sadafumi Uchiyama, and Walker Macy

Summary: The project team of KPFF and Geotechical Resources Inc. (GRI) helped the Portland Japanese Garden expand their beautiful campus while maintaining the Garden’s architectural features. One of the biggest hurdles the project faced was that the Garden is located on the crest of a large, slow-moving landslide, which required the project engineers to design a system that would keep water runoff from soaking into the vulnerable soils. The two firms worked together to design and install a combination of trench drains, manholes covered with removable pacers, and biomass panels that helped mitigate stormwater runoff while still sustaining the clean architecture of the Garden’s buildings.

To learn more about these projects and other Engineering Excellence awards visit ACEC’s website at ACECoregon.org

duquette and aldridge​During the Board’s May 9, 2017 meeting, Shelly Duquette, PE, SE, was elected to serve as the Board President, effective July 1, 2017. Chris Aldridge, RPP was elected to serve as the Board’s Vice President. The nominations were held because the previous Board President and Vice President’s biennial term ended in June.

Presently in her second term, Duquette joined the Board during the summer of 2013. She has served on the Examinations and Qualifications Committee, Professional Practices Committee, the Joint Compliance Committee with the Oregon Board of Geologist Examiners, and the Digital Signatures Task Force.

She is currently a structural plan reviewer with the City of Portland and has been responsible for reviewing structures and structural components permitted within the City of Portland and Multnomah County to ensure conformance with governing building codes for over 13 years.  Prior to joining the City of Portland, Duquette was a structural engineer in the private sector for 8 years, worked for state agencies and provided construction support.

Duquette earned her undergraduate engineering degree from the University of Washington and Masters of Science degree from Portland State University with a structural emphasis. Duquette is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon and has volunteered as a grader for the Washington III structural examination. She also serves as a member of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Exam Committee.


Aldridge joined the Board in July of 2016. He previously served as the Committee Chair for the Professional Practices Committee and the Photogrammetric and Remote Sensing Task Force. Aldridge also participated on the Examinations and Qualifications Committee, External Relations Committee, Rules and Regulations Committee, and the Customer Service and Communications Standards Task Force.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and holds a Certificate of Proficiency in cartography. Aldridge is an Oregon Registered Professional Photogrammetrist, a Surveyor Photogrammetrist in Virginia, and a Certified Photogrammetrist through the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

In his 30 plus years as a professional photogrammetrist he has developed expertise in aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, light detection and ranging, flight and control planning, image processing, aerial triangulation, stereo compilation, orthophoto generation, and more. Aldridge’s current position as the President and founder of AirView Mapping, LLC has provided him with the opportunity to apply his skills in the application of photogrammetry and sUAS applications for mapping.

​

Spring 2018 Oregon Examiner Newsletter

Online version edited for minor errors including incorrect dates and typos.

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