For the FY2013—17 period, it is the goal of OSU Institute of Technology to maximize
the potential of our local Watchmaking program while also working to assist all
three SAWTA schools on the development of a comprehensive and documented curriculum
map, including: top—level program objectives, identified tasks and skills needed
for students to accomplish stated objectives, a skill gap analysis tied to all
courses in the curriculum, and an objective measurement strategy tied to task
clusters and overall program objectives.
[An overall curriculum layout existed from day one of SAWTA. It might not be in the
specific format that Oklahoma wants, however it clearly indicates what proficiency
should be introduced and covered at what point in the program, as well as what is
tested in the SAWTA exams. These documents were provided to the teachers, as well
as Kari Chancey. Let's not continue to give the impression that there is no
curriculum and Oklahoma needs to fix this.]
A comprehensive program assessment plan will follow the implementation of the
curriculum mapping project..
As the SAWTA curriculum decreases the program's
emphasis on micromechanics and increases focus on cases, bracelets, finishing
skills, and customer service and soft skills, our staff is prepared to assist in
this transition as well.
[There is no decrease of emphasis on tool and component manufacturing
(micromechanics). The only thing that is changing in the near future is a more
flexible testing of the micromechanics proficiencies]
In addition to the above curricular projects that OSUIT is committed to assist with,
the University system has the personnel and resources to help leverage the SAWTA
brand, marketing, and recruitment. Internally, continued professional development
opportunities will be provided to the watchmaking faculty through our newly formed
Center of Academic Excellence and Distance Learning. Great strides have already
been made in this area and continued growth will continue to follow. The budgetary
items identified below and on the attached documents are necessary to achieve this
goal.
[ When it comes to the watchmaking program this should be the goal: produce
sucessful graduates that can be successfully employed in the high end retail
environment. This you achieve by: increasing the substance (meaningful and
prestigious projects and workpieces), increasing the intensity of instruction. This
is the only way a program in such a small environment as the watchmaking world can
be marketed.]
Salary:
For the FY2008-2012 period, donor funding was allocated to support the salaries of
a 1.0 FTE watchmaking instructor, a .07 FTE second watchmaking instructor, a .75
FTE administrative assistant, and a .25 FTE support personnel position. To bring a
more unified approach in achieving the goals at hand, OSUIT proposes the
elimination of the two part-time support positions, with these financial savings
reallocated to hire a Program Coordinator/Instructor who has watchmaking expertise.
[OSU does not need primarily a Program Coordinator / Instructor that has
watchmaking expertise. There are already two individuals who have that. But they
have deficits in other areas and it is necessary to find somebody who can
compensate for that.]
This Coordinator/Instructor position will be cost shared 40% partner and 60%
institutional match, and will provide program level support for instruction,
recruiting, marketing, ordering, teaching relief for the two instructors, and other
duties necessary to properly manage and grow the watchmaking program and the SAWTA
brand. In this funding redistribution the second watchmaking instructor will also
be cost shared 40% partner and 60% institutional match.
Benefits:
The current OSU System benefit rate for faculty and professional staff is 41.75% of
annual salary. While the Board of Regents tries to maintain this rate, it could
change in the following years of this five-year cycle.
Professional Development: As moving deeper into the SAWTA curriculum will require
additional professional development
opportunities for the watchmaking faculty, the funding level to support this
extremely important activity has been increased to $4,000 annually both on the
partner and match side. This level of funding will
help faculty attend SAWTA development sessions and allow for technical training and
professional updating in the field.
It is also recommended that this money be utilized for watchmaking faculty to
collaborate in SAWTA professional development sessions that includes all three
member institutions.
Travel:
In the category of travel, funding has also been increased to $4,000 annually on
the partner and match side to support the initiatives mentioned in the professional
development section and additional opportunities for instructional and technical
skill advancement.
Equipment: A thorough review of both instructional and programmatic equipment was
conducted. In this review, the following classroom/instructional equipment was
identified as necessary to support the full SAWTA curriculum and program goals and
objectives. The following programmatic items were identified that would facilitate
a higher level of student learning, work efficiency, safety and student accuracy.
These purchases are one-time expenses for the five-year period.
Classroom Instructional Equipment: - $20,884
2 4.0mm Horia Tool and small anvil sets - $600 each
2 Vector Lathe sets with 48 collets - $4000 each
1 Witschi Watch Expert Timing Machine for the practical lab - $3000
6 Bergeon 5285D Staking Sets - $500 each
2 Practical Benches — Same as previously donated by Rolex
2 Theory Benches - $1800/ each
4 Bench Vises for new benches - $271 each
Lamps for new benches: 3 on bases + 5 regular @ $125 each
Programmatic Equipment: — $17,460
Water Tester — Witschi Proofmaster S -$4000
One more instructor bench in theory lab — Same as previously donated by Rolex
2 Ultrasonic Tanks — Sweep Zone - $620 each
Forge oven - $1200
Lista cabinet for polishing room - $1200
Chairs for new benches (matching) - $800
Photo Box - $500
Video Camera for Micro room (non—magnified) - $500
2 iPads - $400 each
Safe for Labs - $500
Master Set of Horia pushers and stumps - $720
HP networkable color printer/copier - $1,000
Adjustable height wheelchair to meet ADA requirements - $5,000
This would be purchased instead of multiple low—height benches only in the
event that a wheelchair bound student entered the program. The chair would
then belong to the program for future similar use.
Programmatic CNC: - $62,440 standard retail quote
One purchase that has been discussed in great detail that would offer multiple
opportunities and tremendous potential for OSU|T's Watchmaking program, and all
three SAWTA schools, is the purchase of a Haas Office Mill OM-2A. This CNC Mill
maintains the intricate tolerances (up to +/- 0.002mm) required for precision
watchmaking. Currently, the program uses WOSTEP escapement models, which due to
errors in manufacturing, do not work properly. Currently, the Watchmaking program
only has a Tiag Micro Mill that is extremely inadequate for this caliber of program.
Due to the ‘slop’ and vibration in this machine, no precision pieces can be
produced in order for the students to work on them in any successful learning
environment.
A CNC mill is located downstairs which is owned and operated by the manufacturing
program. Unfortunately, as the Watchmaking faculty are only guests on this machine,
when they can access it all, processes must be started from scratch each time.
Additionally, access to this piece of equipment is limited and the availability of
this machine often does not work into the timeframe needed to support the
watchmaking faculty or students.
The purpose of purchasing this CNC mill is not to teach the students to be CNC
operators, but for the faculty to build and develop pieces for the students to work
on that support the SAWTA goals and objectives.
Having this mill within the SAWTA system would allow the creation of models and
demonstrators for escapements and other components that are either extremely costly
or unavailable. Stainless steel cases for students to practice polishing currently
cost SAWTA $150 per piece. The material and tooling cost per case is less than $10
in stainless. These pieces could also be made in brass, allowing students the
experience of polishing gold pieces in a simulated environment. Primarily, not
being used as a earning tool itself, but as a piece of equipment to create
components to enhance the learning environment would be a significant advantage to
all students.
Various escapement models and other watchmaking components could be manufactured at
OSUIT for utilization by all three SAWTA institutions.
With the purchase of this
mill brass cases can also be produced to allow students to practice, in a simulated
environment, the polishing of gold pieces. This purchase would give students the
additional experience desired in the emphasized area of case and parts refinishing
that is heavily stressed in the SAWTA curriculum. Maintenance on this piece of
equipment is minimal, and a local Hass facility is located in Broken Arrow for any
needs that may arise.
[This is a significant component in this proposal. It raises red flags.
1. It was brought up several times before and I (after discussing the matter with
CB) expressed my concern to invest money in this piece of equipment. The fact that
it is back again and the fact that it is back again after Mosier and I had a
discussion where he took stance in a quite apodictic manner (without having the
subject matter background to take this stance) shows that at OSU it is still about
political maneuvering, not about collaboration. The interesting fact here is as
well that this discussion took place in front of the faculty, a strong
demonstration for them how little my input is appreciated (even from OSU
management). The CNC equipment has become the visible trophy for the winner of this
tug of war.
2. The subject matter arguments for this equipment indicate either incompetence on
the Oklahoma side or they expect incompetence on our side. Lets look at it in
detail:
One argument is the SAVINGS. Here I would like to ask: what is our greatest concern
at the moment? The cost of the program or the fact that the students are not
lubricating reliably, adjusting reliably or casing reliably? We have years of
students that are under performing, why do we discuss savings on training material?
Another argument is the accuracy "required for precision watchmaking". This
statement is nonsense because watchmaking means watch after sales service. There is
no place in after sales service for this type of equipment. No reputable
watchmaking school owns or operates a CNC unit, there is just no application for it.
The WOSTEP escapement models do not reproduce the escapement function 100%, however
that does not make them unsuited for teaching. They are used in many schools and
companies all over the world, with good success. Furthermore Oklahoma has at least
one other model as well. The models are used for a basic introduction, and after
that students adjust on real size watch escapements.
I have to pose the question at this point: Do we face issues that are based on
training material, like escapement models? Why do these issues show up only on
Oklahoma and not in the other schools that are using exactly the same models?
(During the assessment of the most recent exam the students knew exactly how to
check the adjustment of the escapement. They recognized exactly that what they did
was not correctly adjusted. The fact that they did not adjust it correctly has its
reason therefore somewhere else, not because of the existing model is inaccurate in
a certain aspect. A model does not teach the students the discipline required for
stringent verification of their work, in contrary.)
In conclusion to he CNC topic:
1. It is the trophy that Oklahoma wants on their mantle.
2. It is surprising that the new management supports this.
3. Escapement model issues can not be blamed for the issues that we are
experiencing.
4. Cost of training material is important but not a primary concern at the moment.
5. The amount of time to write the code for making escapement models (various as it
says in the proposal, which I would be really interested in learning more details)
will take the instructors (mainly Ziegenbein) further away from the student
interaction. It will allow him to hide behind the monitor even more, instead of
standing in front of a group of people and leading them. Before the writing of the
code, the escapement model would have to be designed. When you are at that stage,
why not building a model with the class in the tool and component manufacturing
(micromechanics) segment of the program? Involve the students actively instead of
further putting them in a passive role by placing a model in front of them.
I find the argument for this CNC extremely weak and I am surprised that a Bill Path
can put them in front of you with a straight face.]
Supplies: The cost of supplies for the program continues to increase each year. As
we prepare for increased enrollment, the quantity of supplies necessary will also
increase on an annual basis. Therefore, using the current rate budgeted for FY2012
and FY2013, beginning in FY2014, $1,000 has been added to both the partner and
match side on an annual basis to meet expected demand and the projected increase in
the cost of supplies.
Renovation and Retail Lab Equipment: As the SAWTA curriculum emphasizes customer
service, communication, presentation and other soft skills, the renovation of a
previously approved room will be remodeled into a retail lab space. This space will
serve as a live classroom for students to gain experience working in a high—end
retail environment. Development of this retail space meets the demands of the SAWTA
curriculum and institutional goals by providing students an internship-like
environment. A previous bid to remodel this space was done in 2010 and is
approximately $15,000. In addition to one—time renovation expenses, the following
one—time equipment purchases of$13,623 are necessary to create a real-life retail
environment:
Computer for customer database, tech info, parts ordering and printer "' $3000
Timing Machine / Quartz Tester- Vibrograf B900 "' $6000
Jeweling tool "' $600
Staking set "' $500
Escapement meter "' $995
Escapement meter heater “ $408
Auto Winder — Final Test "' $650
Mainspring Winder set ” $1000 Bergeon 34 winder set
Crystal Press - $470 Bergeon 5500A
[do we have an inventory sheet anyway? Looking at the small amount of students do
we need to get more equipment?]
Contractual:
Funding for contractual services has been decreased due to lack of utilization
during the prior five—year period. The partner side of the budget has been
decreased from $2500 annually to $1000 annually. The institutional match for this
activity has been decreased from $2500 annually to $2000 annually.
Student Extra-Institutional Experiences: This category allows classes and students
to tour and visit professional shops to gain additional knowledge of the industry.
Partner funding in this area remains similar to the last five-year period, while
the institutional match side has increased to a flat $3,000 annually.
Marketing: Funding in support of marketing for the SAWTA brand and the OSUIT
Watchmaking program has been doubled from $2,500 to $5,000 annually. This increase
has been made to both the partner side and institutional match. This increase has
been made in order to have a more concerted and consistent marketing strategy for
both organizations. Program and SAWTA marketing consultation will be held with the
OSUIT Director of Marketing and Public Relations on an as needed basis at OSU|T’s
expense.
Curriculum and Assessment Mapping: To assist with SAWTA curriculum mapping and
development, and program assessment development, OSUIT will allocate 10% time of
the Director of Academic Excellence and Distance Learning for the first two years
of this period. There will be no charge to the partner side of this proposal. OSUIT
will provide this service to assist in developing a comprehensive SAWTA curriculum
plan that can be shared with all three SAWTA schools.
Scholarships: The OSUIT scholarship contribution will be the out-of-state fee
waiver which is currently $185.50 per semester credit hour. This rate is subject to
change by approximately three to five percent annually.
Contingency:
Contingency items are listed as, but not limited to: food, snacks, hosting, catered
meals, advisory member gifts, prospective student lodging, shipping and handling,
club expenses, extra-institutional trips, and repairs.
The cumulative five—year partner total of this proposal is $1,301,771.27. Utilizing
the $350,000 from the previous account transfer towards the additional expenses
necessary to position this program for longterm success, a balance of $951,771.27
remains as the request for this five-year period. The OSUIT Watchmaking faculty, Dr.
Path, and I deeply believe in the importance and value of the watchmaking program.
The significant investments, and mu|ti—year commitments, made by both Rolex and OSU
demonstrate each organizations’ dedication to the success of not only the OSUIT
Watchmaking program, but the watchmaking industry and profession as a whole.
Upon your review of this proposal, please provide any input for adjustments you
deem necessary. Some line items are made as best estimates based upon previous
years" budgets and upon projects and activities in development to further the OSUIT
Watchmaking program and the SAWTA brand as a whole.
[I am not so much concerned about the allocation of money, but about the underlying
discrepancy of philosophies and a lack of honesty and/or competence. Lots of
blowing smoke, fingerpointing, political maneuvers, experienced from day one we got
involved and even before that.]
Ro|ex”s continued support of the OSU Institute of Technology Watchmaking Program
is greatly appreciated. Working together, I am confident that we can not only meet
the expectations set for this program, but make it thrive for many years to come.