The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:50 AM in Room 100 Admin/Library Building. A quorum was present. 

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER
          College of Medicine, Basic Sciences
          Present: Philippe Arnaud, Lucille London, Sally Self, Eberhard Voit (Exec Committee)
          Absent: Debra J. Hazen-Martin

College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences
Present: Connie Best, Gary Gilkeson, Paul Gold, Barry Hainer, George M. Johnson, Thomas Steele, Aljoeson Walker
Absent: Susan Ackerman, DeAnna Cheek, Arthur J. Crumbley, Mark Green, Dana King, Shailendra B. Patel, P.R. Rajagopalan (Alt), Alberto B. Santos (Alt), Benjamin Saunders, Dean Schuyler, Renan Uflacker, Michael Zile (Exec Committee)

College of Dental Medicine
Present: Richard Albenesius, Peter Kobes, Stephen Malley
Absent: Carlos Salinas (Exec Committee)

College of Health Professions
Present: Jennifer Horner, Anne Kilpatrick (Exec Committee), Jack K. Thomas
Absent: Libby Dismuke (Alt), Andrea White 

Library Sciences and Informatics
Present: Starr Hazard (Alternate), Mary Mauldin (Exec Committee), Nancy McKeehan 
Absent: Geoffrey Freeman, Joann Sullivan

College of Nursing
Present:  Elaine Amella, Julia Ball
Absent:  Elizabeth Erkel, Tara Hulsey (Exec Committee), John M. Welton (Alt)

College of Pharmacy
Present: Kathy Chessman (Exec Committee member), Joli Fermo
Absent: John Bosso (Alt), Marc Lapointe, Kristi Lenz

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. Faculty contracts:  Dr. Kilpatrick asked if everyone had signed contracts.  Faculty in some departments have not yet signed their contracts.  In some areas, it appears that the contract process ran very smoothly while in others some issues did arise including little time for contract review.

II.  Budget Presentation - Patrick Wamsley
Mr. Wamsley provided the Senate with an update on the MUSC budget.  For FY2003, MUSC finished the year with a $4.8M bottom line.  Mr. Wamsley pointed out that while this number looks good for the University, many of the excess funds are restricted or tied to certain activities, e.g., construction projects.  The FY2004 budget was presented.  Overall, the budget revealed a continued decrease in State appropriations.  State appropriations have decreased 27.6% (~$28M) in the last 3 years with the most recent being a 1% cut ($825,000) this month.  Federal grants and contracts have increased 47% (~$33M) during the same time frame.  While there also appeared to be a decrease in federal grants and contracts, the Senate was informed that this was a conservative estimate because this line item is more a prediction that actual figures.  It is anticipated that we will continue to see increases in this area.  The Senate was reminded that any increase in federal and grant research funding bears with it an increase in research expenditures which have increased 26% in the last 3 years.  Other information presented included an increase in expenditures for education of 8% and an increase in tuition and fees of 18% since 2001.  Tuition and fees increases net MUSC very little due to our small number of students (2300) compared to our sister institutions like Clemson and USC.  Of note, the Citadel has raised tuition by 22.9%, the highest percentage increase among South Carolina schools.  Public service expenditures have increased by 11% and debt service expenditures by 73%.  We have borrowed $12M for repairs to the Thurmond building, and we anticipate borrowing more as we need to improve the power supply with the two new research buildings coming on-line.  On the revenue side, UMA transfers increased 280%.  We anticipate a $1.9M gain from the sell of the Charleston High School building and the Ladson property.  These gains were largely responsible for the proposed balanced budget so a deficit is predicted for FY2005.  Since FY00 through May 2003, grant funded FTEs have increased 32% from 18% to 26% of the total workforce.  State and other funded FTEs have decreased by 21% from 82% of the workforce to 74%. 
Mr. Wamsley also presented the AHEC financial statement showing a $380,000 excess in FY2003.  While these are separate entities, we do host AHEC and our public financial statements include them.
Mr. Wamsley reminded the Faculty Senate that much of the University's money is in "silos", i.e., restricted funds that have to be spent as directed.  A copy of Mr. Wamsley's slide presentation can be obtained by clicking here.

III.  Code of Conduct Policy  - Anne Kilpatrick 
Dr. Kilpatrick plans to meet this week with Dr. Valerie West to discuss our attorney's concerns with the proposed Code of Conduct Policy.

IV.  University Tenure Committee - Anne Kilpatrick
The University Tenure Committee is a standing committee that reviews all recommendations from the Colleges for tenure.  Members rotate after three years service.  New members representing the Faculty Senate are Anne Kilpatrick, Florence Hutchinson, and Susan Benedict.

V. Tenure Discussion Group - Anne Kilpatrick
The Tenure Discussion Group formed by Dr. Raymond to address issues surrounding tenure at MUSC includes Drs. Tom Higerd, Danielle Ripich, Gail Stuart, Jack Feussner, Kathy Chessman, Anne Kilpatrick, Tara Hulsey, Eberhard Voit, Mike Zile, Mary Mauldin, and Carlos Salinas.  The group has met once to receive a charge from Dr. Raymond.  A preliminary report is expected by the end of the calendar year.

VI.  Governance Committee - Elaine Amella
A.  Elections
Elections were delayed due to the computer virus that hit MUSC last week.  As of Friday, August 29, we have enough candidates for a ballot for all of the electoral units except Dental Medicine.  There may have been a glitch in the nominations process; however, as one Senator from Dental Medicine stated that he and fellow faculty members nominated a number of individuals.  This concern will be forwarded to Francine Margolius who is handling the election.  The slate is expected to be available for vote by September 8.  Voting will occur from September 9 through September 16.
B.  Constitution and By-laws
After reviewing documents from other institutions and 13 drafts, the Governance Committee presented its revision of the Senate's Constitution to the Senate today, click here to view the document.  Procedures have been moved into the By-laws section (e.g., duties of standing committees).  Suggested changes include:
1) Changing the terminology from Chair/Vice Chair to President/Vice President.
2) Changing duration of terms from 2 years to 3 years or alternatively allowing someone to run for three consecutive terms and keeping the terms at 2 years.
3) Increase the number of Senators from each electoral unit to six (from four). 
4) The role and succession of alternates is clearly outlined.
5) Changing the procedure for election of Senate officers.  Instead of the Executive Committee drawing up a slate for Senate approval, the Governance Committee would develop a slate of officers.  Officers would not need to come from the existing Executive Committee; therefore, the Executive Committee would have between seven and 10 members.
Some discussion occurred regarding the above proposed changes, especially regarding the increase in the number of Senators.  Some of the smaller units felt that it might be difficult to find six individuals to serve.  A suggestion was made that we modify the current make-up of the Senate as follows:  for units with less than 50 members, four Senators would be elected; units with 50 to 100 members would elect six Senators; and, units with more than 100 members would elect six Senators and one additional Senator for each specified number of faculty.  The Committee will consider this proposal at its next meeting which will be held on September 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the College of Nursing Board Room.  All interested Senators are invited to attend.

VII.  University Affairs - Mary Mauldin
The date of the Faculty Senate Retreat has been changed to September 23 due to the delay in the election process.  All new members (and old members who wish to attend) will be invited at 3:00 PM to discuss the Constitution and By-laws (Elaine Amella) as well as review issues facing the Senate (Anne Kilpatrick).  From 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Jacque Jones will lead the group through a process to develop a mission, vision, and strategic plan for the Senate.  Dinner will be served from 6:00 - 7:00 PM and Dr. Raymond will be invited to speak to the Senate at that time.  From 7:00-8:00 PM, we will review committees and plans for the coming year.  One particular issue to be discussed will be timing of the monthly Senate meetings to allow more Senators to attend.

VIII.  ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 AM.

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, October 7, 2003, Admin/Library Building Room 100 
Respectfully Submitted by: 
Kathy Chessman, Secretary to the Faculty Senate