South Coast Air Quality Management District

Amend Contract with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. for Student Cooperative Program

SYNOPSIS: 

In January 1999, the AQMD entered into a contract with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. for a student cooperative program for $50,000. These funds will soon be exhausted. The contract allows students to work in the AQMD laboratory where they gain experience in an excellent laboratory environment. At the same time, students provide valuable and cost-effective services to the AQMD. In the FY 2001-02 Budget, $30,000 has been allocated to continue this program. This action is to amend the existing contract with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. to increase funding by $30,000 for a total of $80,000 and to extend the term of the contract.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, July 13, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract amendment with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation to increase funding by $30,000 for a total of $80,000 and extend the term of the agreement to January 31, 2003.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD began a Student Cooperation (Co-op) program with local universities in 1995 to provide educational opportunities in a working laboratory for chemistry students. From January 1995 to June 1996, the AQMD had a contract with Cal State University, Pomona Foundation (Cal Poly Pomona) for internship in the Laboratory. Building on the success of this program, AQMD then contracted with the California State University, Fullerton Foundation (Cal State Fullerton) for the internships during 1997 and 1998. In January of 1999, AQMD executed the existing contract with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation which will expire January 31, 2002; however, funds under this contract are nearly exhausted.

The Chemists within the laboratory provide a directed mentorship to the students who work a maximum of 20 hours per week. The students gain valuable knowledge of the AQMD’s mission to clean the air as well as working in an environmental laboratory. The students through the Co-op program receive two semester units of college credit toward their chemistry degree. The contract supports two students working a maximum of 20 hours per week. New students are rotated into the position approximately every six months. This program has been very beneficial to the AQMD providing support in the Aerosol Section processing thousands of particulate matter filters and Cal Poly Pomona in their mission to educate students for the today’s workforce.

Proposal

Amend contract with Cal Poly Pomona Foundation to increase funding by $30,000 for a total of $80,000 and extend the term of the contract from February 1, 2002 to January 31, 2003.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 2001-02 Budget to cover the funding of this contract.

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