CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Adrian Reuben, on Tuesday, January 9, 2001, at 7:55 am in Room 107 Admin./Library Building.

SENATORS PRESENT:

Basic Sciences: Janice Lage, Kathryn Meier, Philip Privitera, Sally Self

Clinical Sciences: Narenda Banik, Peter Carek, James Carter, Timothy Carter, Leonie Gordon, Janice Key, Maria Lopes-Virella, Mark Lyles, Timothy Lyons, Subbi Mathur, Adrian Reuben

Dental Medicine: Luis Leite, Jon Rampton

Health Professions: Richard Hernandez, Janice Hundley

Library Science & Informatics: Nancy McKeehan, Jennie Arial, Peggy Schachte

Nursing: Tara Hulsey, Sally Stroud

Pharmacy: Jim Bosso, Kit Simpson, Anne Spencer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The December minutes were posted in the unapproved form on the Web site and were available for review prior to meeting. The minutes for December were approved and passed.

REDUCTION IN STATE BUDGET AND EFFECT ON MUSC

Dr. Reuben announced that a budget reduction was projected for all state-funded bodies. The impact of the reduction could be severe for MUSC.

John Sutusky, VP for Financial Affairs updated the Senate on the budget in general and MUSC’s response to a request for scenarios reflecting funding cuts. The projected shortfall is a result of budget decisions over the past five years whereby one-time monies were used to fund on-going projects. On December 18th each state agency received a directive from the the House Ways and Means Committee requesting a response, by January 5, outlining how it would deal with a cut in July 2001 of 15%, 10%, or 5%.

MUSC’s response had two basic themes: (1) the potential to raise revenues by increasing fees or tuition and (2) cutting expenses. Dr. Greenberg’s letter noted that the university had already raised tuition and fees to the point where further assessments would seriously threaten MUSC’s ability to attract students. In regard to cutting expenses, since about 80% of the state funds are spent on personnel, a 15% decrease would result in an FTE reduction of over 450.

Sutusky noted that the Governor’s budget proposal included an exemption from cuts for K-12 schools, some funding for teacher pay raises, modest raises for state employees, some tax cutting measures, and a projected 15 and a half percent decrease for higher education. In addition, the Governor proposes to borrow $100 million next fiscal year. MUSC would benefit from this only through the inclusion of funds for the new College of Dental Medicine building.

Dr. Greenberg’s letter in response to the budget directive was distributed to the Senate.

More detailed planning for budget reductions at MUSC will be the focus of a group chaired by Dr. Sabra Slaughter. In addition, Sutusky noted that the presidents of the three research universities have committed to working together in a united effort to fight the proposed $125 million cut to higher education.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Faculty Affairs: Phil Privitera, Chair

The committee is working on the faculty review process and plans to bring the newly revised document before the Senate in the next month or two. It includes additions to support performance funding. Privitera noted that once the post-tenure review document is completed, work needs to be done addressing a similar review process for non-tenured faculty. This review would be outside the annual departmental review and would be scheduled every three years. Dr. Reuben said the committee also needs to address the definition of tenure at MUSC, specifically the rights and responsibilities. As an example, he mentioned the issue of whether the term of appointment can be changed after tenure has been awarded. Privitera noted a need for caution and careful wording of such issues, so faculty do not "give up ground." Reuben agreed, remarking the definition should reflect national norms and practices.

Academic Affairs: Peggy Schachte, Chair

The Consulting Committee is an ad hoc university committee which includes a number of current and past senators. To date the committee has gathered information from other universities. They are also reviewing the Conflict of Interest policy section by section and are drafting a statement of philosophy and governing principles for the preamble. In response to one senator’s concern, Kay Meier, who serves on the Consulting Committee, noted that most university policies include statements addressing both conflict of interest and conflict of commitment.

During the course of this discussion, it was the sense of the Senate that we continue to take advantage of the expertise and willingness of former senators who are serving on on-going committees. The Senate should ensure that at least one currently-serving senator is also on committees dealing with issues and policies which affect faculty.

University Affairs: Anne Spencer, Chair

Anne Spencer distributed a draft resolution describing the establishment of legal counsel for the Senate. She requested that senators review the document and be ready to discuss it at the February meeting. The draft resolution will also be distributed to all senators by e-mail and posted to the Faculty Senate web site.

Senators were asked to submit names and contact information of attorneys who might be willing to undertake this assignment to Anne Spencer. Any faculty who knows of a possible candidate is encouraged to contact Anne.

Governance Committee: Francine Margolius, Chair

In the absence of Francine Margolius, Dr. Reuben asked that Governance Committee members encourage the committee chair to call a meeting as soon as possible, as the Faculty Handbook and Faculty Senate Bylaws need to be updated by the end of the academic year.

Mission-Based Management (MBM)

Dr. Reuben noted the need to gather information about the impact and use of mission-based management at other universities, since there is pressure to implement it at MUSC in the College of Medicine during the current academic year. Janice Lage agreed to work with other senators to gather information, review and evaluate it for presentation to the Senate. Each senator was asked to contact colleagues at other schools within the next couple of weeks to find out how widespread the use of MBM is and what its impact has been on issues like funding and faculty time. Their findings should be forwarded to Dr. Lage.

There is much uncertainty at MUSC about the status of the MBM initiative. Dr. Reuben agreed to contact Dr. Joanne Conroy, who heads up the initiative, to find out what the project’s status is. In response to a request to educate non-College of Medicine senators about MBM, Dr. Reuben agreed to provide an overview at the February Senate meeting.

Faculty Senate Elections

Dr. Reuben stated that the Faculty Senate elections, historically held in May, would be held in July.

General Faculty Meetings

The Senate Executive Committee will discuss dates for a Senate-called meeting of the general faculty this spring. The goal is to have one General Faculty Meeting each semester.

OTHER BUSINESS

The attendance sheet was passed around for signatures. Senators were informed that attendance would be posted on the web site so that faculty can see whether senators have the time and commitment to be on the Senate.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2001 at 7:45 am, Admin/Library, Room 107.