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 December 2, 2003, meeting were approved. The approved minutes are posted on the Senate’s Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Governance Committee – Elaine Amella stated that the Governance Committee revisited the proposed Constitution and By-laws specifically to review the process for removal of Senators. This process is to be included as an Article within the Constitution and outlined as a procedure within the Bylaws. Dr. Amella stated that the amended by-laws including the new committee structures would be ready prior for review prior to the next Faculty Senate meeting. The senate will vote on the proposed Constitution and By-laws during the February 2004 meeting and all faculty will have opportunity to review and vote on during the planned general faculty meeting in March 2004. 

Kathy Chessman, chair of the Senate, stated that Mr. Philip Sprinkle, legal consultant to the Faculty Senate, has submitted a contract designed to retain him as consultant to the Senate. For the past year, Mr. Sprinkle has worked on a pro bono basis with the Senate. Since significant work by Mr. Sprinkle for the Senate would now involve the use of the Senate’s legal fund, Dr. Chessman has charged the Governance Committee to develop guidelines for access to and use of this fund. In addition, the committee will develop guidelines for the roles of various officers including the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.

Committee on Communication and Education – Rick Albenesius reported that the committee will meet in the near future. One of the charges of this committee is to plan the general faculty meeting scheduled for March 2004.

Strategic Planning Committee – Geoff Freeman reported that the committee should have a draft of the Senate’s mission statement for review by the Senate during the February 2004 meeting.

Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships – Anne Kilpatrick reported on the Tenure/Mentoring workshop held in December 2003. Over 65 faculty members attended throughout the day and faculty had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Greenberg, Dr. Raymond, Deans and tenured faculty, as well as time to review their portfolios with tenured faculty. Dr. Kilpatrick thanked the administrators and faculty who participated in the workshop.

Paul Gold reported that at least 3 documents may come back to this committee for review: Conflict of Commitment, Drug Free Workplace, and Faculty Conduct Policy.
 

III. CHAIR'S REPORT - Kathy Chessman

A. College of Pharmacy

As steps are taken to merge the Colleges of Pharmacy at MUSC and USC, the Boards of Trustees of both universities approved the hiring of one dean. A consultant group will be formed to study and make recommendations regarding the location of the College of Pharmacy (MUSC or USC) and recruitment for the dean is planned to being in Spring 2004. The Faculty Senate will follow the progress of this process and may consider drafting a letter regarding the proposals as they become available.
 

B. Tenure Discussion Group

The Tenure Discussion Group last met on December 2, 2003. The group is discussing issues related to a tenured faculty member’s salary as well as the tenured faculty member’s responsibilities to the university. Senators were asked to send their comments on either of these issues to Dr. Chessman.
 

C. Academic Affairs Newsletter

Dr. John Raymond sent to all faculty via e-mail the first Academic Affairs Newsletter. This newsletter is designed to showcase faculty members and to keep faculty informed. Dr. Raymond hopes to send the newsletter at least once a month and has invited the Senate to be a regular contributor to the newsletter. The Committee on Communication and Education was asked to ensure articles were submitted on a regular basis.
 

D. Status of Policies

Drug Free Workplace and Conflict of Commitment – Both of these policies will be discussed with Mr. Paul Taylor from the Department of Internal Audit. Kathy Chessman will also meet with Mr. Melvin Berlinsky, chair of the Education Committee of the Board of Trustees. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss concerns regarding the proposed Conflict of Commitment policy. The legal consultant to the Faculty Senate will also review the Conflict of Commitment policy.

Faculty Conduct Policy – This policy is currently in place in the College of Medicine and discussions are taking place as to whether or not it should be implemented across the university. The Faculty Senate’s Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships has been asked to review this policy for comment and recommendations
 

The chair of faculty senate meets with Dr. Raymond the second Tuesday of each month to ensure consistent communication regarding issues of importance to the Faculty Senate. Dr. Chessman asked senators to notify her of any issues that need to be addressed during one of her monthly meetings with Dr. Raymond. Examples of previous topics include the need to interpret promotion and tenure guidelines for faculty who have chosen the TERI plan and the possibility of implementing an operating budget for the Senate. If the Senate is given a budget through the Provost's Office, Dr. Raymond stated that assurance has to be made to faculty that there is no conflict of interest. In order to do this, the senate would be required to create an access policy (i.e., who and how someone has access to this resource).

Health Benefits for Part-time Employees - There is a proposal to extend health benefits to part-time employees. This proposal is being carefully reviewed to determine long-term financial impact. Dr. Chessman will ask a follow-up question on this issue as a result of a senator’s concern regarding health benefits for visiting faculty (e.g., as a visiting faculty member on sabbatical leave from another university).

Smoking On-Campus
A committee is studying the issue of smoking on campus (by visitors and employees). At this point, the committee has made a recommendation to construct smoking pavilions throughout the campus. A pilot pavilion is located on the corner of Sabin Street and Ashley Ave. A decision has not been made as to whether or not additional pavilions will be constructed.

Electronic Patient Medical Record
A need has been identified for a unified patient record system. Dr. Frank Clark, CIO, has written an RFP for such a system.

Consolidation of Classes
Dr. John Raymond has encouraged all Deans to examine ways that courses can be consolidated between colleges.

Classroom Scheduling and Food Policies
The Office of Enrollment Services has been asked to examine classroom usage and food policies when determining schedules. Attendance at meetings may be impacted by classroom food policies.

Library
Due to significant budget cuts, tuition and technology fee allocations will be reorganized to provide additional support to the library.

Due to budget cuts and increased cost of health benefits, the Parking Committee has submitted a letter requesting no increase in parking rates.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 AM

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, February 3, 2004. Admin/Library Building Room 107

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