Fear of a possible conflict between programs has led some members of the College of Engineering to question the status of a so-called affiliate college.

While most students aren't even aware of its existence, the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport is a Penn State affiliate, using the Penn State logo and primarily offering two-year vocational programs.

But even as an affiliate, the college claims it is independent of the University. The college --formerly the Williamsport Area Community College -- became an associate of the University in July 1989. The school's status is all subject to change in the future, said Carl H. Woglemuth, associate dean of the College of Engineering.

At the University Faculty Senate meeting in December, Robert Heinsohn, professor of mechanical engineering, spoke on behalf of the Caucus of Engineering about the status of the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.

"There has been considerable confusion about the status of the College of Technology," Heinsohn said, asking for a clarification of the position of the college.

Woglemuth agreed with Heinsohn, saying that the wording of several publications creates some confusion about the independence of the college.

For example, the Bulletin -- the Penn State student handbook -- doesn't make the college look as independent as it claims to be, Heinsohn said. In the Bulletin, the college is presented like Penn State Erie and Penn State Harrisburg, he explained.

Because the University and the college offer somewhat similar classes, competition has become an issue.

The programs offered at the college are totally different than any of the engineering classes offered here, Woglemuth said. The only program that is remotely similar to any programs offered at Penn State is engineering technology, which is offered at the Commonwealth Campuses, he added.

However, Williams said the only similar classes are general education classes like English and speech communications. He added that some programs require trigonometry and algebra -- as it is at the University.

This fall, the college will offer five baccalaureate programs, which have the potential to evolve into programs that are similar to those of a Commonwealth Campus, Williams said.

And although Heinsohn is not worried about current curriculum conflict, he is concerned about the future.

If the college's programs do evolve, it could eventually create a conflict or cause embarrassment to the University, he said, adding, "One can only speculate."

Phyllis Belk, director of marketing and public information at the Wilkes-Barre Campus, said she senses no competition from the College of Technology although the college and the Wilkes-Barre Campus are only about 90 minutes away from each other.

"There was an initial concern about how it would affect recruiting," she said, but added that the two institutions are looking for ways to build cooperative programs.

Williams agreed with Belk, saying that the college doesn't recruit in the backyard of the Commonwealth Campuses. About 12 to 13 percent of the students at the college plan to transfer to the University and the number is growing, he added.

The University has some control over the college because there are six University-appointed members to the board of directors, said Miles Williams, vice president for employment and community relations at the College of Technology. He added that the five other members are faculty and staff of the college and also community members.

Those six members can exercise influence over academics at the college, but the college has no input into University academics, said Charles Hosler, retired senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School.

The College of Technology is written as a line-item in the University budget, Hosler said. "There is no intermingling of funds," he added.

The issue of finally creating a clarifying statement about the college is being reviewed by the Committee on Rules of the Faculty Senate, Heinsohn said.