OSTP Policies and News

2009-2010 Program Policies

Enrolling in Classes

Workshop enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats at workshops are limited, and are only reserved if your fee accompanies the enrollment form. Enrollments are not accepted over the telephone, but may be submitted by fax, mail or online.

Once you have enrolled, a detailed confirmation will be mailed to your address. This confirmation will provide exact location and map, times and what to bring to the workshop, as well as payment information.

Certificates of Attendance

Attendance is required at all sessions of each workshop to receive a Certificate of Attendance. You no longer need to send a copy to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. OSTP will make sure you get credit for the courses you attend in-full!

Scheduling

Plan your classes accordingly. Pre-certification and continuing education courses are each offered only a few times a year throughout the state.  Most locations are rotated by region, while some courses are in fixed locations each year.

Late Enrollments

Enroll by the deadline to avoid the $40 late fee and to guarantee your place at the workshop. It helps us plan for course materials and refreshments. If you enroll late or at the door on the day of the workshop (if space allows), a $40 late fee will be added to the workshop price. There will be no exceptions! 

Substitutions and Transfers

Substituting another person for your enrollment fee or transferring to another workshop must be requested before the day of the workshop. A $20 substitution or transfer fee will be charged for each change to the enrollment. Substitutions or transfers must be received in writing at the OSTP office by the business day prior to the workshop.

Cancellations

You may cancel your enrollment through the last business day before the workshop. A $20 cancellation fee applies. After that time, refunds are not issued. Cancellations must be in writing.

OSTP reserves the right to cancel an event if 10 people have not enrolled in any given event by the course deadline. In the rare event of a course cancellation, full refunds will be issued and OSTP will do its best to accommodate the educational needs of those that were enrolled.

“No Shows”

We reserve space for paid attendees. If you don’t cancel and do not attend, we can’t offer your space to anyone else.  If you do not cancel and do not show up, you are still responsible for the enrollment payment. No exceptions! 

2009-2010 Program News

Visit our newly designed Web page: http://septic.umn.edu

You will notice a fresh new look to OSTP’s Web page.  Find the same great information and more at septic.umn.edu. There have been a few minor adjustments to improve your access to frequently used sites. For example, you can now find a link to our Forms and Worksheets from our homepage instead of having to dig deeper into the website. Please call OSTP Staff if you have any questions about finding something!

OSTP Manual Revision!

OSTP has revised its SSTS Professional Training Manual to coincide with the recent rule revisions and create a more user-friendly guide to septic system design, installation and care.

Due to an ongoing rule revision, we encourage you to use the online version of this manual available exclusively at: http://septic.umn.edu/sstsmanual.

Manuals are available for purchase at http://shop.extension.umn.edu by searching for item # 08650. 

If you purchased a manual during the 2008-2009 Workshop Season, one will be sent to you. If you have a coupon, contact the OSTP office for specific ordering instructions.

Course Cancellation Policy:

Last year was the first time OSTP has ever had to cancel a course due to low enrollment.  While it is never the intent to eliminate offerings, OSTP recognizes that new training requirements and today’s economy has created an unpredictable demand for our courses.  If a course does not have 10 enrollees by the published deadline, OSTP reserves the right to cancel any course.  Full refunds will be issued in the rare event that a course is cancelled.

Designers: Check out the new forms on our Web page: http://septic.umn.edu/formsandsheets

All of the design forms have been updated to the new MR 7080-83.  Instructions for how to use the forms are included online. Instruction about the use of these new forms is available at the Design CE course.  Questions about the forms should be directed to Sara Heger Christopherson by email at:
shc@umn.edu or call her at 612-625-7243.

Installers: Do you have your pipelayer certification yet?

As of December 1, 2007, all onsite installers need to either be a licensed plumber, restricted plumber, or have a special pipelayer certification and a $25,000 Code Compliance Bond. Don’t be caught without your Pipelayer Card! There are seven options to earn this certification this workshop season. 

Soils Continuing Education requirement for Designers and Inspectors:

All Designers and Inspectors are required to take an additional six hours of continuing education. You can meet this requirement now if your certification expires after February 4th, 2011. Call OSTP Staff if you have questions about the implementation of this new requirement!