Fairfield’s School of Engineering took another step in solidifying its reputation by receiving accreditation for all four of its undergraduate programs from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
E. Vagos Hadjimichael, Dean of the School of Engineering, said that “Being accredited sheds a different light on the program. Even if the students don’t know, when parents come to see the school, they know if the programs have been accredited or not.”
In order to receive accreditation, each program within the school must under go a rigorous process of preparation and review.
The software and computer engineering programs were up for renewal of their previous accreditation, while the electrical and mechanical programs received accreditation for the first time when the results are announced last November.
“The Board does not accredit schools of engineering,” he said. “It accredits programs, so every individual program is reviewed separately. It’s a very involved process.”
Harry Taylor, Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, also said “the quality of faculty, facilities and students are all examined. If any deficiencies are found then no accreditation is rewarded.”
The school currently has 96 declared engineering majors. This number is extremely low in comparison to the number of liberal arts and business majors. There are 256 students enrolled in communications and 233 current finance majors.
Many students think the low number of engineering majors may be attributed to its rigorous curriculum and reputation for high work loads.
“Everyone knows that engineering is an extremely difficult field,” sophomore John Guglielmoni. “I think that the accreditation may help the School of Engineering grow in popularity.”
John Kamorowski ’08 said, “I think this accreditation will help promote the program to potential students. I also think that the program itself will continue to take steps to improve.”
Since the four undergraduate programs have been accredited, Hadjmichael is hoping for new facilities in the school and more campus-wide recognition for the program.
“We haven’t gotten any rewards. We always get a small pat on the back. We [the School of Engineering] could use newer facilities and some more new equipment,” he said.
Taylor also mentioned the popularity of the engineering program at Gonzaga University, another Jesuit institution.
“Gonzaga is a very popular Jesuit university for engineering. In order to achieve that status, there had to have been a lot of university support,” he said, hoping the same will be true of Fairfield’s program.
Kamorowski, currently an engineering major, added, “I am sure Fairfield can do more to improve and promote the program in the future, but I have seen little [improvement] in the three years I have been here.”
Senior John Lee agreed. “I think before the university provides more funds for the engineering program, they would have to see an increase in enrollment,” he said.
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