Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

Student Organization Updates, Fall 2005

ASCE Update

By Tyler McArthur, president

CCEE's student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) spent another semester involving students in practical life experience, providing a social network, working with the community, and demonstrating its civil engineering pride.

Over 175 members joined ASCE, making the chapter one of the largest in the country. Great cabinet members worked hard involving undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in professional, community, and social activities. At least once a month, ASCE invited a practicing professional to speak to members on a wide variety of civil engineering topics.

ASCE was also very connected to the community by doing outreach events:

  • West Point Bridge Builder
  • Trick or Treat for MICA
  • FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League Competition
  • Stuff the Bus

Based on the great response by ASCE members, the chapter is looking into a trip to volunteer for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The chapter also held many social events for its members:

  • camping trips
  • football tailgating
  • bowling at the Memorial Union
  • bingo nights
  • intramural sports
  • Friday After Class

Iowa State ASCE still has a great reputation with its competition teams: concrete canoe and steel bridge. Both teams get national exposure with their innovative designs and quality fabrication.

TSA students with their MOVITE Outstanding Student Chapter Award

Transportation Student Association Update

By Neil Burke, president

The Transportation Student Association (TSA) is an interdisciplinary campus organization for students in the fields of civil engineering, community and regional planning, and logistics supply chain management. Through participation, social camaraderie, and networking with professionals, TSA members are better prepared for careers in transportation.

TSA holds bimonthly meetings where consultants, government employees, and professors present on aspects of their professions to students. Students involved in TSA also have the opportunity to attend a variety of conferences. TSA regularly attends the biennial Missouri Valley Institute of Transportation Engineers (MOVITE) Conference, which is held in various cities throughout the Midwest. In addition, TSA sends its active members to the annual Transportation Research Board meeting every January in Washington D.C.

TSA provides its members with several opportunities to get involved in community service activities. TSA members have helped with the Future Cities Project at Boone Junior High School. In addition, TSA delivers work zone safety presentations to area high schools and participates in the Engineering Career Day in the spring.

This fall, TSA was awarded the 2004–2005 MOVITE Outstanding Student Chapter Award based upon the activities described in the organization’s annual report. Lastly, TSA encourages social interaction through picnics, a fall golf tournament, and attending basketball games as a group.

In summary, TSA seeks to expose students to careers in the transportation field while getting them involved in interesting and rewarding community service projects.

Chi Epsilon Update

By Chris Milner, president

Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society, scheduled many events for the fall. Notable events are the second annual Chi Epsilon Golf Outing which pairs undergraduates with practicing professionals in an event that raises funds for the Chi Epsilon Scholarship Fund. This year's sponsors were Howard R. Green, Kirkham, Michael & Associates, and Fox Engineering.

As usual, Chi Epsilon held weekly study session in Town Engineering for students. The group also made its fall trip out to Highway 30 to clean up their Adopt-A-Highway portion of the highway. Another service activity was Stuff the Bus, an event where food and other items are placed in a CyRide bus and donated to Mid-Iowa Community Action.

The fall class was initiated after the Thanksgiving break.

Participants in Chi Epsilon's Golf Outing raised money for Chi Epsilon's scholarship fund.