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

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Minutes of the October 7, 2003, meeting were approved with two changes. The revised, approved minutes will be posted on the Senate’s Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS: 

I.   Trident United Way

Mindy Freedman from the Development Office encouraged faculty participation in the Trident United Way campaign.

II. Introduction of Executive Committee

Members of the Faculty Senate’s Executive committee for the 2003-2004 session were introduced.

Rick Albenesius, College of Dental Medicine
Libby Dismuke, College of Health Professions
Geoff Freeman, Library and Informatics
Sandra Garner, College of Pharmacy
Paul Gold, College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences
Debra Hazen-Martin, College of Medicine, Basic Sciences
Tara Hulsey, College of Nursing
Kathy Chessman, Chair

Eberhard Voit said that if Senators are aware of topics that need to be discussed by the Executive Committee to please forward those to Mary Mauldin (secretary) or the Executive Committee representative for their College.
 
III. Vision Statement

Dr. Voit stated that development of a vision statement was initiated at the Senate Retreat in September 2003. Revisions were made to the initial draft through a call for suggestions via e-mail. The latest draft was provided in the agenda for today’s meeting. Senators discussed the issue of the proposed vision statement being process as opposed to outcome oriented; the discussion concluded with the suggestion that the vision statement remain as process oriented and the mission, statement when written, will be more specific and focus on outcomes. The vision statement was approved by the Senate.

IV. Governance Committee Report - Elaine Amella

Elaine Amella, chair of the Governance Committee (2002-2003), provided an update on the status of revisions to the By-laws. The Governance Committee has not had an opportunity to address the By-laws following their work revising the Constitution. A report on updates to the By-laws will be given during the December 2003 Faculty Senate meeting.

V. Faculty Senate Tenure Workshop

Anne Kilpatrick provided an update on the Tenure Discussion Group. There have been 4 meetings of the group, charged by Dr. John Raymond to look at identification of tenure issues at MUSC. The committee is composed of representatives from the 2002-2003 Faculty Senate Executive Committee, deans and associate deans, and Dr. Tom Higerd. The goal is to provide a report to Dr. Raymond and the Senate by the end of the calendar year.

Dr. Kilpatrick presented information about the upcoming Tenure Mentoring Workshop, scheduled for December 15, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Gazes auditorium). The workshop is for faculty aspiring to reach tenure and the format will combine and expand upon two programs previously offered by Faculty Senate on the same topic. In addition to representatives from each college explaining “how they tenure people”, participants will have an opportunity to meet with “mentors” in small groups for portfolio reviews.

Dr. Kilpatrick asked Senators to let her know if they had additional suggestions and if they were able to help and/or attend.

A suggestion was made to focus on the specific requirements for tenure and to also videotape the workshop and put presentations from the workshop on the Faculty Senate’s Web site. Another suggestion was for the Executive Committee to survey faculty to extract the perception of promotion and tenure, including perceptions regarding the weight teaching plays versus research and publications.

Dr. Kilpatrick will send a detailed agenda. A mass e-mail will be used as one method for advertising this workshop; senators were also asked to provide information about the workshop to faculty in their colleges.

VI. MUSC/USC Colleges of Pharmacy Discussion

Due to financial constraints of the state, Eberhard Voit explained that the Governor has mandated MUSC and USC to explore the merger of the two schools’ Colleges of Pharmacy. A committee appointed by the Governor is exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a merger. A report from this committee is expected November 12, 2003. Once the recommendations are available from the committee, the Senate will discuss whether or not a letter of support from the Senate would be appropriate.

VII. Ad hoc Committee Assignments (pending new By-laws)

Eberhard Voit stated that if the new constitution is approved, specific committees will be included in the structure. In order to have a smooth transition to this change in structure, this year (2003-2004), the Senate will have ad hoc committees until the Constitution is approved. Once approved, the ad hoc committees will become the committees outlined in the Constitution.

Senators were asked to volunteer to participate on a committee, and to provide their first and second choices. In order to ensure each committee has balanced representation from each college, Dr. Voit said the Executive Committee could not guarantee a senator’s first or second choice, but we would do everything possible to honor their requests.

The committees are:

Governance Committee, Chair, Tara Hulsey
Charges: 1) Complete revision of By-laws; re-evaluate proposed committee structure
2) November 24 Faculty Town Hall to ratify; including presentation by Philip Sprinkle (Faculty Senate attorney)

Committee on Institutional Advancement, Chair, Debra Hazen-Martin
Charges: 1) Review the draft report of the discussion regarding the MUSC and USC Colleges of Pharmacy (due 11/12) and develop a Senate response.
2) Discuss University wide issues and decide whether the Senate should be proactively involved, e.g., Centers of Excellence, new hospital

Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships, Chair, Paul Gold
Charges: 1) Work with Anne Kilpatrick to plan Tenure workshop for December 2003.
2) Monitor the contract process and inform the Senate of areas of concern.
3) Determine the status of the Conflict of Interest/Commitment policy.

Committee for Communication and Education, Chair, Rick Albenesius
Charges: 1) Plan second quarterly Faculty meeting (Jan - Mar) on either the sabbaticals or grievance procedures (or topic of choice to be approved by Executive Committee)
2) Find creative ways to communicate the work of the Senate to the general faculty on a regular basis

Strategic Planning Committee, Chair, Geoff Freeman
Charges : 1) Develop a mission statement for the Senate.
2) Develop a strategic plan for the Senate.

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for November 24, 2003, for all faculty. The purpose of the meeting is to ratify the new Constitution.

VIII. Other Faculty Concerns

A. Role of Electoral Unit Committees
The importance of senators communicating with faculty in their colleges was discussed. Increased communication between senators and faculty in their college was encouraged, not only with senators providing information to the faculty, but faculty encouraged to discuss concerns with their senators. Senators and faculty together would decide if issues could be addressed within their own colleges or needed to be addressed by the full senate.

B. Possible Charge to a Committee
A suggestion was made that the topics of orientation for new senators and the election process be assigned to committees for discussion.

C. Ad hoc Committees
Dr. Voit said that in order to address specific issues, additional ad hoc committees will be formed as needed.

D. Announcements
Dr. Voit encouraged alternates to come to meetings and participate. Dr. Voit also asked senators to remind faculty in their colleges of the Town Hall meeting on November 24. This will be the first quarterly meeting of the Faculty Senate. Faculty will have an opportunity to hear the work plan of the Senate and to ratify the Constitution.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 AM. 

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, December 2, 2003, Administration/Library Building Room 107 

Respectfully Submitted by: 
Mary Mauldin 
Secretary to the Faculty Senate