Master’s students from Oakland University’s Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) Department worked with Independence Township officials to help improve the township’s rental facilities reservations process.
The project was part of the ISE Department’s Lean Principles and Applications course and helped find a potential savings of $14,000 per year.
‘Oakland University students were out to show lean can work anywhere so long as the premise of application is respect for people,” said Jerome Oswald, student team leader. “With the new facilities recently added in the township, it was a great area to explore for operational improvements.?
“Anytime you can complement academics with real world work experience it is a win-win scenario for both groups,” said Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle. “Oakland University is a great learning center. Independence Township is proud to have been asked to participate in this worthwhile endeavor.”
Student team members also included Juliana Martinez, Anthony Cooper and Brandon Wilson. They are enrolled in Oakland’s ISE or Engineering Management programs. Team members from Independence Township included Ken Elwert, Lisa Christenson, Theresa Gordon, Vicki O’Bezil and Kim Larson.
The project started when ISE instructor Larry Osentoski reached out to Kittle in summer 2015.
‘Independence Township opened their doors for our students to come work hand-in-hand with their staff to find areas where lean could help improve their operations,? Osentoski said. ‘It was an excellent opportunity for our students and the community. I sat in on a couple of the meetings and the professionalism of the staff, (while) working together with our students to identify waste, was really exciting to see. As a resident of the community I learned this small staff manages over 800 programs for our community.?
Oakland’s ISE 581 Lean Principles and Application course emphasizes hands-on experiential learning and respect for people, he said.
Plans are underway for another team of OU engineering students to work with Independence Township next fall.
To learn more about ISE@OU, visit oakland.edu/secs/ise.