Board Approves Distribution of Education and Research Funds
The Board approved funding for the following events between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009:
- $2,000 to the S.C. Society of Professional Engineers for speakers at the organization’s ASCE/SCSPE Winter Meeting.
- $3,000 to the S.C. Society of Professional Land Surveyors for speakers at the organization’s annual conference.
- $12,000 to three professional organizations that co-sponsored the S.C. Engineering Conference and Trade Show: The American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina, The American Society of Civil Engineers (S.C.), and the S.C. Society of Professional Engineers.
Section 40-22-255 gives the Board authority to designate up to $10 from each renewal fee for research and education purposes. The funding approved is for specified activities or speakers, as requested by the organizations, and has provided opportunities for more speakers than the organizations could fund on their own, thereby increasing continuing education opportunities to licensees. Funding is not limited to speakers, however. At the request of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE SC), the Board approved $,5000 to offset some of the expenses of an exam review course, sponsored by the organization, to include space, instructor fees and course materials. The funding will increase access to the review course for individuals seeking licensure as professional engineers in South Carolina. In its request, the Society stated, “We believe that professional registration is a critical step in ones career development.” The course is web-based, taught by experienced instructors, and is offered as a series of 12 two-hour modules held simultaneously in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville over a six-week period.