President's Message for 2005

Each year, the President of CSAB writes a message about the events of past year. I write this message as I end my second term as President.

CSAB is an active, vital organization that has been effective in promoting the quality of education in the computing sciences for nearly twenty years. CSAB is the lead society within ABET for accrediting programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, and Software Engineering. It is a cooperating society for accrediting programs in Computer Engineering, and pilot accreditation visits are being conducted for programs in Information Technology with CSAB as the lead society. According to statistics supplied by ABET headquarters, there are more than 250 computing programs accredited. Approximately 30 new programs are reviewed annually. More than 180 programs in computer engineering are also currently accredited.

In many ways, CSAB had a remarkable year in 2005. Some of the events represent the early steps in a longer process that I hope will continue and bear fruit in future years.

One of the most important activities of the past year is the continuation of a series of Summit Meetings that have been held between CSAB and its constituent societies: ACM, AIS, and IEEE-CS. The CEO’s of these societies have actively participated in the series of meetings, showing the importance they attach to CSAB and its role in the profession.

As well as keeping the societies informed of CSAB activities and the issues we face, the Summit Meetings have focused on changing the financial model with which we have been working for the past five years. The emphasis has been on containing the cost of success.

With the growth in the number of accredited Computer Science and Software Engineering programs, the initial accreditation of Information Systems programs, and the beginning of Information Technology accreditation, the past five years have been extraordinary. Looking forward, one can foresee a move toward accrediting other computing programs such as programs in bio-computing disciplines. With success comes an increased cost. CSAB pays ABET an annual fee based partly on the number of accredited computing programs. The greater success we have, the more expensive it becomes.

No other society has faced such rapid growth in accredited programs as CSAB has, but we have joined with several other large ABET societies in an effort contain the costs before they become unmanageable. The change involves altering the ABET financial model, and we are optimistic that the joint effort by these member societies will ultimately be successful.

CSAB will continue regular meetings with its constituent societies to maintain the strong ties and facilitate the planning processes.

A second emphasis of the past year has been on an internal reorganization of CSAB to enable it to be more effective in planning for the future. This has involved the creation of a set of standing committees to deal with issues such as strategic planning, self-assessment, program accreditation criteria, evaluator training, assignment, and quality assurance, enhancing relationships with all of CSAB’s constituents, grants and external funding, and awards and recognition for meritorious service.

The standing committees have been established, and the number of volunteers from the profession who will serve on these committees has far exceeded the demand. The work of the new committees is off to a very encouraging start.

Another important activity during the past year has been the ongoing efforts of CSAB and ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) to revise the accreditation criteria for computing programs. A draft of the revised criteria has been approved by ABET, and the draft is now beginning a period of review and comment by all interested parties.

We anticipate the review process to be completed with final criteria modifications being adopted in about two years. This will give CSAB time to upgrade it training materials and plan for training and/or retraining all program evaluators prior to full implementation of the revised criteria.

The Executive Committee of CSAB has met more often during the past year since the full board only meets once per year plus additional scheduled conference calls. This committee has been quite busy as 2005 has been an active year for CSAB.

In other news, CSAB has continued to develop a strong relationship with the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) with the goal of increasing cooperation and recognition between our two groups. Representatives of each group attended and participated in annual meetings of the other during 2005, and both intend to continue the cooperation in the future.

Jerry Engel chaired a committee that included Pat LaMalva, Bob Cannon, and Pat Walsh that conducted an excellent review of the 5 years since the integration of CSAB and ABET. They looked at what has happened, what worked well, what did not work so well, and where we are now. I want to thank them most sincerely for undertaking this important task and doing such a fine job.

During this year, John Gorgone and James Cross completed their terms as members of CSAB, and we extend our most sincere thanks to them for their many contributions to computing education, accreditation, and the profession. John has been most instrumental in getting accreditation of Information Systems programs started, and he will always be remembered for those efforts. Deborah Scherer completed her term as a Board Alternate representing IEEE-CS, and we thank her for the professionalism, wisdom, and humor she brought to our meetings.

Jerry Engel completed his term as Past-President of CSAB, but it is impossible to list all of his contributions to CSAB and computing accreditation. He has always been involved, and I am sure his mark on the discipline is still evolving. I cannot imagine a time when Jerry will not be serving our profession in any way he can. Saying thank you seems inadequate for all of many contributions, but I trust everyone will express appreciation for all he has done and continues to do whenever they cross paths with Jerry.

Bob Cannon completed his term as ABET Board member representing CSAB, and we will miss the integrity, professionalism, attention to detail, and hard work he brought to that role. As one of our two initial ABET Board members, Bob has set a high standard for all future Board members. Please thank Bob for all of his many years of work to improve computing education whenever you have an opportunity. As is the case with Jerry, the profession is better because of Bob’s efforts. Pat Walsh of IBM has been selected to replace Bob on the ABET Board, and we look forward to his leadership, professionalism, and integrity in that role.

We also thank Susan Conry for her contributions. Susan is a former CSAB President, and since she completed her term with CSAB, she has continued to serve the profession as CSAB’s representative to the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. Thank you, Susan, for all of your many contributions to computing over the years. Don Bagert is new CSAB representative to the EAC.

The Board welcomes Ken Martin (ACM), George Kasper (AIS), Heikki Topi (AIS), Stephen Seidman (IEEE-CS), and John Impagliazzo (ACM) as new Board members and alternates. Bruce H. Barnes has joined the board as an IEEE-CS ARD to replace Deborah Scherrer and to take the lead in the new standing Grants Committee.

The Board elected new officers for the coming year. Murali Varanasi was elected as the new President. Pat Walsh is the incoming Vice-President, and Art Price will serve as our Treasurer. This is an outstanding group, and I know CSAB will achieve many successes under their leadership. I will serve as Past-President and Board member.

No report of this type would be complete without expressing my deepest appreciation for the contributions of our Executive Director, Pat LaMalva. Pat has been a leader, a mentor, a guide, and a consummate professional throughout my years of experience with him. Most of all, he has been a wonderful and highly valued friend. He is a fine gentleman and a true professional in every good aspect of those words. To me, he defines those terms. CSAB owes much of its success and stature to Pat, to his loyalty, and to his willingness to give of himself to the organization and the profession it represents. Thank you for everything, Pat.

You may reach me with questions or comments at bailes@etsu.edu.

Don Bailes,
CSAB President, 2003-2005