The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:45 AM in Room 125 Gazes. A quorum was present.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the May 10, 2005, meeting and the June 14, 2005, meeting were approved. The approved minutes are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. NEW BUSINESS

Committee Reports

New Faculty Welcome – Ms. Peggy Schachte, Chair of New Faculty Orientation Task Force, reported that plans are continuing for the New Faculty Welcome. The Welcome is scheduled for August 8, 2005, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the Storm Eye Institute. Senators were asked to accompany new faculty members to the event. The committee is currently contacting various offices and groups on campus to provide information about their services through kiosks that will be set up during the Welcom

Governance Committee - The Governance Committee is developing the timeline for election of new senators. The entire election process will be completed in time for new senators to be installed at the October 2005 meeting. The Executive Committee will present a proposal for the slate of officers that will also be presented during the October 2005 meeting.

Faculty Handbook Review/Revision – Members of the Governance Committee have reviewed the current faculty handbook to determine possible conflicts with proposed policies/practices. A process to notify the Senate of proposed changes in HR policies is being determined in order to alert the Senate to possible conflicts with current information in the faculty handbook.

PACE Report

Dr. Bob Ogilvie, chair of the PACE Task Force, reported progress of the committee. Dr. Ogilvie stated that the purpose of this Task Force is to review the PACE process in the spirit of improving instruction at MUSC. Following a study of the process, a review of the literature, and recommended action steps, the Task Force asked for comments from the Senate. The Senate voted to accept the recommendations outlined in the report with the following revisions:

7. There is a significant delay in receiving PACE results that hinder improvement of a course.

8. The timing of PACE should be reconsidered. At the present time, PACE is given immediately following a final exam.

As a next step, a survey will be developed asking all faculty to provide input into this process. Prior to development of this faculty survey and a possible student survey, the chair of the Governance committee will draft a cover letter. This cover letter, along with the amended report, will be sent to senators for review prior to submission to the administration. Once feedback from senate received, the cover letter and report will be forwarded to Drs. Ray Greenberg, John Raymond, Tom Higerd, Roger Poston, and Valerie West. Dr. Kathy Chessman will contact the president of the Student Government Association to discuss the possibility of developing a student survey, as well.

II. CHAIR'S REPORT AND DISCUSSION OF ISSUES

Senate Representative on Academic/Research Space Backfill Subcommittee
Kathy Chessman, Chair of Faculty Senate, reported that Patrick Mauldin will represent the Senate on the Academic/Research Space Backfill Subcommittee.

SACS Committee Representation
Dr. Chessman requested volunteers to serve as Senate representatives on 4 different SACS Committees. Sharon Bond will serve on the Governance Committee, and Marilyn King will serve on the Core Requirements Committee.

Issues Requiring Senate Response

Proposed Changes in Pay Cycles – In a cost-reduction effort, the Office of the CFO is exploring ways to streamline pay cycles, including the option of only offering bi-monthly pay cycles. The Office of the CFO is requesting comment from the Senate on this proposal. The proposed process would require automatic check deposit. Check statements would no longer be printed and would instead be accessed online. One senator expressed concern that although you can currently access this information, it is available on campus. It was recommended that if this process is put into place, check statements need to be available online from off-campus locations, as well.

Mandatory Pre-employment Drug Testing – Dr. Chessman reported that HR is requesting a response from the Senate regarding the requirement that drug testing is mandated for anyone offered a position at MUSC.

Sabbatical Leave – The faculty handbook indicates that faculty do not accrue sick leave while on sabbatical leave. This is inconsistent with current HR policies. HR has requested a response from the Senate regarding this issue.

Dr. Chessman will request comment from Senators on each of these issues via e-mail. If needed, these issues will be brought back to the Senate for further discussion during the next meeting of the Senate.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 AM


Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, August 9, 2005. 125 Gazes

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