CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM HISTORY 1983 - PRESENT

Southern Polytechnic State University is a special purpose institution in the University System of Georgia with a state-wide mission to meet the needs of Georgia's citizens and industries for engineering technology and related instruction at the collegiate level. It was originally founded in 1948 as the Technical Institute, a division of Georgia Institute of Technology, granting Associate Degrees in various areas of engineering technology. In 1980, Southern College of Technology (Southern TECH) with Dr. Stephen R. Cheshier as its first President, became an independent Senior College offering baccalaureate degrees. Today, Southern Polytechnic offers day and evening degree programs through the masters level. The College and its programs are regionally and/or professionally accredited. 

Construction related course work has been a part of the Civil Engineering Technology (CET) and Architecture Engineering Technology (AET) programs from the beginning. However, it wasn't until early 1983 that members of the CET faculty lead by Assistant Professor Gil Puffer, together with representatives of the construction industry studied the industry's needs for degreed graduates. This study, in March of 1984, recommended that a separate bachelor degree in the field of construction be offered. The recommendation was accepted by the College which immediately commenced an initiative to generate funding for the new program. 

In May 1984, President Cheshier approached the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Georgia Branch seeking its support. On September 5, 1985, the Georgia Branch Board of Directors approved financial support for the establishment of a 4 year degree in building construction. The commitment ($300,000 over a 3 year period funded in equal measure by the Georgia Branch and its membership) had the following conditions: 

• The program was to be fully funded by the Board of Regents after 3 years. 
• The program was to be a Bachelor of Science in Construction, housed in an independent department. 
• An industry advisory committee would be formed, with substantial representation by the Georgia Branch, to advise on curriculum and monitor progress. 
• The program was to seek and obtain accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education (A.C.C.E.). 

With financial support in hand, plus approval in August, 1984 by Southern Polytechnic faculty, President Cheshier requested approval by the Board of Regents to offer a BS in Construction Administration starting in Fall quarter, 1985. The program was to be management oriented with technical course work, and was to provide an understanding of: 

• Basic engineering principles of design of structural, mechanical and electrical systems. 
• Construction methods and techniques. 
• The nature of construction contracts and their obligations and responsibilities. 
• The principles of management and cost accounting. 
• Motivation and leadership. 

On March 13, 1985, the Board of Regents authorized the establishment of the program, department and degree (B.S. in Construction Administration) starting Fall quarter 1985. The first students were enrolled in the program during the Summer quarter 1985. During the summer of 1985, the AGC, Georgia Branch, kicked-off the fund-raising campaign. Mr. Herb Edwards, Vice President of Beers Construction Company, chaired the campaign. In the meantime, Southern Tech conducted a search for a Department Head. This effort resulted in the selection and appointment of George M. Wallace as Associate Professor and Head of the Construction Administration Department on September 1, 1985. 

On October 21, 1985, Professor Wallace convened the first meeting of the Industry Advisory Board with representation from industry as well as Southern Polytechnic faculty and administration. The primary order of business was the development of a curriculum. Emphasis was placed on subject matter with direct application to the construction industry (i.e.: bidding process, business development and management, contracts and general conditions, licensing, permits, claims, etc.). The Committee met again in November 1985 to approve the curriculum. In addition, it recommended affiliation with the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) and accreditation by the A.C.C.E. The curriculum was submitted to and approved by the Southern Polytechnic faculty in December 1985 for inclusion in the 1985-86 catalog. Southern Polytechnic became a member of the A.S.C. in April 1986 and was granted candidate status with A.C.C.E. on November 30, 1986.

During 1986, Southern Polytechnic received approval to change its name from Southern Technical Institute to Southern College of Technology. At the same time, the academic departments were organized into three schools: Technology, Arts and Science, and Management. The Construction Administration Department was placed in the School of Technology. Assistant Professor Allan Hall was appointed to the first full-time track faculty position, other than the Head, in the fall of 1986. During the 1986-87 academic year, Professor Wallace established an A.G.C. Student Chapter of the Constructor's Guild. The Chapter, chartered in March, 1983, had been inactive since 1984. In addition, a chapter of Sigma Lambda Chi (SLX) was chartered in 1987. The fall of 1987 saw the addition of another full-time faculty position to the department. Associate Professor Robert Carter, who had been teaching some courses with the program, was transferred from the CET department to fill the position. 

During the Spring of 1988, it was proposed that the Construction Administration Department move from the School of Technology to the School of Management. After a through study, the Industry Advisory Committee strongly recommended that the program remain in the School of Technology due to its strong ties with the CET and AET programs, as well as its ACCE candidate status. In addition, the committee recommended that the name of the program, department and degree be changed form Construction Administration to Construction to better reflect the program's content and emphasis. President Cheshier agreed to both recommendations. On September 20, 1988, Southern Polytechnic requested approval from the Board of Regents for the name change. It was approved on December 6, 1988. 

The summer of 1988 saw the successful completion of the AGC, Georgia Branch financial campaign which exceeded its original goal. During the fall of 1988, Professor Wallace submitted the preliminary self-study report to the ACCE Guidance Committee. The comments and recommendations of the Committee were received in January 1989, and actions to adjust the program and comply with the recommendation were initiated. In June, 1989, the first class of eleven students graduated. All were employed or had job offers in the industry at the time of graduation. At the same time, Professor Wallace announced that he would leave Southern Polytechnic to accept a faculty position in the Building Construction program at Auburn University starting in September 1989. This unexpected
announcement caused concern for the program by students, faculty, administration and the industry. However, following a meeting between Southern Polytechnic and industry representatives, it was agreed that the program was very successful and on solid footing with a bright future. It was acknowledged that Professor Wallace had done an outstanding job and all wished him success with his career. Professor Carter was appointed Acting Head in September 1989, and the search for a new Head commenced. During the summer of 1990, the AGC, Georgia Branch Board of Directors, approved a request by Southern Tech for $25,000 in matching funds to help purchase computer hardware and software for the Capstone Project Lab. It is in this lab that graduating construction seniors demonstrate their proficiency in the skills required to enter the industry. These funds, combined with available campus funding enabled the procurement and setup of 16 computer hardware and software work stations with industry standard capability during the Winter quarter 1991. 

The search process for a new Head ended with the appointment of Professor Arlan Toy from the University of Florida, School of Building Construction as Professor and Head in August 1990. Since the arrival of Professor Toy, the department has increased its recognition in the Atlanta metropolitan area through publication of its first newsletter and advertisement of night course offerings to the industry. Goals for the department were defined and an outcome assessment process set into motion. The construction program was accredited by ACCE at its February 1992 meeting. 

In 1992, Professor David Pierce, Jr. joined the faculty in a new tenure track faculty position. With this faculty addition, the tradition of the Fall CNST Retreat began. In the Fall of 1992, we held our first. We have met as a faculty each Fall Term since that time. In the Spring of 1993, Professor Pierce and Adjunct Professor Zuhair El-Itr developed and administered an industry survey to assess the need for a Masters Program in Construction. In May of 1994, our proposal was submitted to the Board of Regents. It was approved in July 1995. Our first MS Construction students graduated Summer 1996. In the Spring of 1995, Robert Carter obtained software grants from MC2 and G2. With state matching funds we were able to order new equipment for the Capstone Lab. With the continued credit hour growth of the program a new faculty line was authorized for Fall of 1995. Coinciding with the need to fill this position, came the retirement of Robert Carter. Robert retired in September, 1995. A faculty search had begun in Winter Term 1995 to fill both positions. 

In the Fall of 1995, Wilson Barnes and Donald Jensen joined the faculty. The 1995 CNST Retreat, held at Amicolola Falls, Georgia, was a turning point. The Retreat Manual was further developed to include major elements of the Outcome Assessment Program for the department and elements of an orientation guide. The Fall Term of 1995 saw significant change for the Construction Department. During this quarter, Martha Orr concluded her term as Administrative Secretary for the department. The Capstone Laboratory was re-equipped with new Pentium 75 PCs. Each faculty computer was upgraded and put on the Southern Polytechnic Network. All faculty and lab computers were linked to the Internet. In the Winter 1996 term, CNST went on-line with its homepage. Also, a new Administrative Secretary, Sharon Hodge, joined the department in January 1996. During the Winter and Spring 1996 term, we conducted a faculty search to replace Allan Hall who retired June, 1996. In July 1996, in a system wide renaming of colleges and community colleges, Southern College of Technology became Southern Polytechnic State University. 

Dr. Zuhair El-Itr joined the department as a full-time faculty member in the Fall of 1996. The Fall CNST retreat was held at Fort Mountain State Park. Fall enrollment was 145 undergraduate and 55 graduate students. In the 1997 academic year the department was involved in preparations for the changeover from the quarter system to the semester system. The BS in Construction was re-accredited by the American Council for Construction Education in February 1997. In April the Construction Advisory Committee was re-formed, the vision of the Center for Construction Education was developed and our sixth full time faculty position was authorized. 

For AY 98, Dr. Dennis Coffey was our sixth faculty member. Preparations for the curriculum conversion to Semesters were completed. Dr. Stephen Cheshire announced his retirement and a search for a new President resulted in the hiring of Dr. Lisa Rossbacher as Southern Polytechnic's second president. A seventh faculty line was authorized for the Construction department due to its continued growth. A faculty search was begun. During Spring term 1998, Dr. Harris Travis, the VP Academic Affairs announced his retirement. 

The Semester system was implemented in the Fall of 1998 with our new President at the helm. The retreat was held in August at Tybee Island, GA. Drs. Gouranga Banik and Khalid Siddiqi were hired to fill the seventh position and a position left vacant by the departure of Dr. Coffey. Dr. Zuhair Itr become the Graduate Coordinator on an interim basis. The conversion for the construction curriculum was well planned and worked out smoothly. A search for a new VPAA was conducted and Dr. James Sotiropoulos was hired to begin AY 2000. Dr. Jensen left at the end of the year to take a faculty position at another university.

Dr. Brian Moore joined the department as full-time faculty in the Fall term 1999. The Fall retreat was held in October at the Red Top Mountain Lodge Conference Center. During the 2000 AY the department developed and submitted a certificate program in project management. It was approved by the curriculum committee and general faculty. After years of being spread out over campus the departmental facilities were at last consolidated in the Academic building. Space became available and was renovated (with input from the CNST Department) as TMGT and CS occupied the new Atrium building. Departmental administrative and faculty offices were established on the third floor of building H adjacent to our classrooms and laboratories in January 2000. Enrollments in the undergraduate program had increased to 185 and in the graduate program had stabilized at 40-45. Bill Barnes was promoted to Professor and Zuhair Itr was promoted to Associate Professor in AY 2000. In June of 2000, Wilson Barnes completed his doctorate at the University of Central England.