The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:45 AM in Room 107 Admin/Library Building. A quorum was present.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the November 4, 2003, meeting were approved. The approved minutes are posted on the Senate’s Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Kathy Chessman reviewed committee assignments for the 03/04 session. Senators from all colleges serve on each committee. The five committees are: 

Governance Committee, Tara Hulsey, Chair
Committee on Institutional Advancement, Debra Hazen-Martin, Chair
Committee on Communication and Education, Rick Albenesius, Chair
Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships, Paul Gold, Chair
Strategic Planning Committee, Geoff Freeman, Chair

Committee chairs were asked to convene their committees as soon as possible, with one exception. The committee members of the Governance Committee from the 2002-2003 session will meet as soon as possible to complete the proposed Constitution and By-laws. Once that work is complete, the Governance Committee members for the 2003-2004 session will begin meeting on a regular basis. 

Committee assignments can be viewed on the Senate’s Web site.
 

II. UPDATE ON PARKING AT MUSC

Melinda Anderson, Director of the Office of Parking Management provided an update on scheduled and proposed changes in parking. The majority of the proposed changes are due to construction of the new hospital and the renovation of the old Charleston High School for the College of Health Professions. Over 700 parking spaces will be lost but others gained through construction of new parking garages. Interim and long-term parking solutions are being studied, including expanding the Lockwood Drive facility, leasing parking spaces at the Marina Parking Lot on Lockwood Drive and the Riverview Holiday Inn on Hwy. 17, and purchasing the County Parking Garage, among others. The next two years will be a critical period especially for student parking. Efforts are underway to ensure adequate spaces for student parking in August 2004.
 

III. CHAIR'S REPORT - Kathy Chessman

A. Constitution and By-laws

Kathy Chessman reported that before the proposed Constitution is again present for ratification, the Governance Committee will review and revise it based on suggestions made during the faculty meeting on Monday, December 1, 2003. The major issue raised was whether to keep the Constitution and By-laws separate documents with changes to the Constitution requiring approval from the Senate, faculty and Board of Trustees, and changes to the By-laws requiring only a Senate vote or for changes to the By-laws to also require approval by full faculty and Board of Trustees. During January 2004, the revised draft of the Constitution and By-laws will be sent to all faculty for comment. The Constitution and By-laws will be voted upon at the next quarterly faculty meeting, scheduled for March 2004. Dr. Chessman also asked that the Governance Committee members from last year involved in the preparation of these documents continue to work with them until accepted by the Faculty. 

The Senate discussed why this was an issue. As a result, a suggestion was made that the Committee on Communication and Education develop and implement a plan for helping faculty understand that senators represent them not only at the Senate, but at Deans’ Council and the President’s Council. It was suggested that the Committee also develop a plan for helping Senators ensure constituents are informed and that constituents have an opportunity to review and respond to relevant issues.

A suggestion was also made for the Governance Committee to explore the possibility of an online voting system for approvals by the Faculty in the future..
 

B. MUSC/USC College/School of Pharmacy Discussion

Kristi Lenz from the College of Pharmacy provided an update on the discussions taking place between MUSC and USC regarding the proposed merger of the two pharmacy programs. The Boards of Trustees from both universities will review proposals during their December meetings. The initial step in the process is expected to be a request to both Boards to approve the recruitment of a single Dean to replace the Deans at both schools who are scheduled for retirement in the coming year. More information will be available following these meetings. The senate will continue to monitor the discussions and keep faculty informed.
 

C. MUSC Strategic Plan 

Kathy Chessman reported that the Strategic Plan has been revised and will be presented to the Board of Trustees during their December meeting. Due to a short timeframe, only the Executive Committee of the Senate had an opportunity to respond to the plan. Recommendations from members of the Executive Committee included inclusion of plans for faculty development and strengthening the wording of the objective related to tenure.
 

D. Tenure Discussion Group

Kathy Chessman reported that the Tenure Discussion Group is continuing to meet. This group is composed of faculty from all colleges (Senate Executive Committee 2002-03), and representatives from Administration including two deans, one department chair, and Tom Higerd. Dr. Raymond charged this group with the task of developing a policy on tenure, including not only ways in which the university will support a tenured faculty member but also the responsibilities of the tenured faculty member to in-turn continue to support the mission of the University.
 

E. News from Deans’ and President’s Council Meetings - Kathy Chessman

1. A new Sleep Disorder Center was approved by both Councils and will go to the Board for final approval. The Deans’ Council has approved a request by the College of Health Professions to change the Masters in Physical Therapy to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This is to keep MUSC competitive with other schools who have already made this change. 

2. Another tuition increase is being considered due to cuts in state funding. If an increase is deemed necessary, the specific percentage increase will be announced February 2004.

3. Joint Commission Visit
The Joint Commission visit was successful. MUSC received a score of 95.

IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS 

A. Tenure Workshop

Anne Kilpatrick reminded the faculty of the Tenure Workshop scheduled for December 15, 2003. The workshop will be held in the Gazes auditorium of the Strom Thurmond Building. The workshop is open to all faculty; RSVP to Melissa Foster.

B. Town Hall Meeting

Kathy Chessman reminded the faculty of Dr. Raymond’s Town Hall Meeting scheduled for December 10, 2003, at 4:00 pm.

C. Videotape of Faculty Meeting

The Faculty meeting held Monday, December 1, 2003, was videotaped. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss ratification of the Senate Constitution and to provide an opportunity for faculty to hear Mr. Philip Sprinkle, legal consultant to the Senate. Mary Mauldin, secretary to the Senate, will have a copy of the videotape for those interested.
 

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, January 6, 2004. Admin/Library Building Room 107

Respectfully Submitted by:
Mary Mauldin, Secretary to the Faculty Senate