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J.F. Ruello – CRISIS IN OUR PROFESSION

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TonyC
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Jeff Ruello came to the LSPS Board asking that his open letter be published in the l’Arpenteur, even if he had to run it as an advertisement. The result of the discussion was an idea to start a l’Arpenteur Letters column. Several months later Jeff is anxious to share his thoughts with other LSPS members so here is his letter.

Jeff Ruello, PLS wrote:

CRISIS IN OUR PROFESSION

I am writing this letter to express my grave concern and my frustration with our profession in the State of Louisiana.

Since 1995, when the majority voted to institute a four year degree program for licensing, I have notice a sharp decline in the number of individuals interested in land surveying as a profession, not only those aspiring to become registered but all others who work or worked as Party Chiefs and Instrument Operators. The reason I believe this is happening is that these people have no place to go and therefore no other choice but to leave the field of surveying.

In trying to upgrade our profession I feel we did nothing but shoot ourselves in the foot. It is very impressive to say you need a four-year degree to practice surveying, but it does no good if there isn’t anyone interested in land surveying.

I was shocked the other day when I called the State Board to find out how many Registered Surveyors have come from the four-year program. The gentleman could not give me an exact number at that time but he thinks it may be 20 or so new Surveyors (about 3 a year). I asked how many were reciprocal and he answered me none. To my amazement we do not reciprocate. Unless an individual has a four-year degree and the 30 requires hours of courses we prescribe he does not qualify to take the exam. This is a ridiculous rule and one that will come back to haunt us in the future. A Registered Land Surveyor from another state, with 30-40 years experience is not allowed to take our exam. Aren’t we being a little full of ourselves? Didn’t these people earn our respect by passing the required exam in their State? Doesn’t 30 –40 years experience count for any thing? I hope the other states require the same from us for their sake.

How is a person from out of state suppose to get the 30 hours of courses we require? Even if a person can take these courses at night in his home state it would still take at least 4 semesters of night classes to achieve 30 hours.

I think we need to institute another means of achieving a Land Surveying License in Louisiana. Why not have a combination of work experience and college. How about we start recognizing other states and other countries surveying schools and their curriculums to be as good as ours. Just doing that would surly ease the shortage of qualified people in our profession.

I urge all members of LSPS to express their concerns to their District President so that we may be able to prevent this crisis in our profession from becoming our downfall.

Thank You,
J.F. Ruello, P.L.S.
E-mail: jfr_lsi@bellsouth.net

(Published by permission.)

Comments

One response to “J.F. Ruello – CRISIS IN OUR PROFESSION”

  1. TonyC Avatar
    TonyC

    One person who responded to Jeff’s thoughts was Richard C. Raley who has strong feelings on the subject.

    Richard C. Raley wrote:
    Thanks for expressing your concerns to LSPS

    Dear Mr. Ruello:

    LSPS recently sent an e-mail mentioning an opportunity to express concerns regarding the profession of Land Surveying in Louisiana. Attached was your letter entitled “Crisis In Our Profession” which you apparently sent LSPS. I greatly appreciate this letter expressing your concerns. You are the only Licensed Surveyor I am aware of to recognize and verbally express the problem to LSPS.

    I have been surveying since 1983, as a non-professional. I recently achieved licensure in Arkansas based on my experience, and satisfying NCEES. I was denied opportunity to sit for the Louisiana exam around 1992 due to insufficient office experience. It was not until 1995 that I began to obtain the necessary experience, which was too late.

    I have met with the Louisiana State Board regarding the demand for Professional Land Surveyors and the lack of exception for reprocity, only to receive no indication of future changes. I also intend to address the issue to LSPS, however will more than likely discontinue my membership with them. I have been informed by the State Board that LSPS initiated the four year degree requirement for registration, and given no indication of support for those seeking registration such as myself.

    I have resided in Louisiana for 27 years and hoped to retire here, but in order to utilize my license, my family and I will have to traverse across the State Boundary line. Only others like yourself, within the profession, who chose to speak out will be able to change things. I have several colleagues in the same position as I, being “on the outside looking in”. I am certain I can speak on their behalf by thanking you for your direct and very well stated letter.

    Sincerely,
    Richard C. Raley

    Survey Coordinator
    Alliance, Inc.
    400 Texas Street, Suite 1200
    Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
    318.221.7501

    (Published by permission.)