Student forms new engineering society

Since there already exists at least one society for every major within the School of Engineering and Applied Science, one might wonder why it is that Engineering junior Jason Haines found it necessary to form a new one called the Penn Society of Automotive Engineers. The answer, according to Haines, is simple -- "S.A.E. is different because it will be more of a society that directs itself toward a lot of the different disciplines so that disciplines can be mixed together." Haines said that the society's main focus will be on advanced mobility technology, which includes land, sea, air and space. Haines said he is still trying to charter the group, which would be a branch of the international society. Although automotive engineering is not a formal major -- it is actually a division of mechanical engineering for which a society already exists -- John Keenan, assistant Engineering dean said it is another way to bring students and faculty together. "Like any other society, it provides an opportunity for students and faculty who have a common set of interests to get together on a professional and a social basis," Keenan said. This year, the S.A.E. has had one introductory meeting, drawing approximately 15 people. Only two of the interested students were freshmen. According to Haines, getting the word out to first-year students is the most difficult task. "Unfortunately, a lot of freshmen don't read their electronic news or know about their mailboxes, so they're the hardest ones to get in touch with," Haines said. Events sponsored by S.A.E. International include competitions in which various universities build race cars, solar cars, model airplanes and off-road vehicles, and then race them. In addition, there are 'super mileage' competitions in which the projects are tested for the best gas mileage. In fact, the University's solar car, which was exhibited on Locust Walk last Thursday, was originally designed for an S.A.E. competition. Haines said his goal in starting S.A.E. at the University was to provide an opportunity "for people to get a chance to actually build stuff and to see what engineering can be like and just to get a different side of engineering from just the classroom experience." Haines pointed out that S.A.E. is not only for Engineering students. The society also provides an opportunity for students interested in marketing. He said that one of the key dilemmas for the society is "actually coming up with the money to sponsor these projects and trying to market it to companies as something that's worth it for them to invest in." Those interested in obtaining more information on the S.A.E. should contact Haines at 387-5607.