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

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the September 13, 2005, meeting were approved. The approved minutes are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. OLD BUSINESS

Committee Updates

Governance Committee - The new online voting system was used for the Senate election held during September. The system worked well; however, there are still Senate slots that need to be filled. Kelly Ragucci, Committee Chair, asked Senators to encourage faculty in their respective colleges to volunteer for service.

Communication and Education Committee – Mary Mauldin reported that a page has been published on the Senate Web site as a means of orientation for new Senators. All senators were encouraged to volunteer to serve on one of the 4 Senate Committees.

II. New BUSINESS

Year End Report – Dr. Kathy Chessman provided a year end report, since this is the last meeting for the 2004-2005 Senate term. Major areas of work by the Senate were highlighted including revisions to the Faculty Handbook, Town Hall meetings throughout the year, the orientation for new faculty, and the numerous policies reviewed. The Powerpoint file of Dr. Chessman’s presentation is available on the Senate Web site.

Announcements

• Dr. John Osguthorpe replaces Dr. Leonie Gordon as one of four Senate representatives on the University Tenure Committee. The terms of the other three representatives (Kit Simpson, Flo Hutchinson, and Anne Kilpatrick expire in June 2006.)
• Al Santos has been appointed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to fill one of the vacancy in the COM-CS.
• Faculty Handbook wording change to reflect change in benefits to 50% FTE approved at October MUSC Board meeting - see approved wording
• Cosponsored Faculty Senate/Apple Tree Society Town Hall meeting, November 15, 2005 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Topics: Collaboration between universities (John Raymond), Classrooms Update (Geoff Freeman), and Simulations (TBA).

  New Officer Election

The Senate elected new officers for the 2005-2006 term:

Dr. Rick Albenesius – Chair
Dr. Anne Kilpatrick – Vice Chair
Dr. Mary Mauldin – Secretary

Dr. Paul Gold asked that Faculty serving as Alternates over the past year be recognized for the work they have contributed to the Senate. Dr. Gold stated that several Alternates attended the majority of Senate meetings and actively participated on committees.

Dr. Barbara Edlund asked that Dr. Kathy Chessman be recognized for her work as Chair of the Senate over the past two years. Dr. Rick Albenesius presented a gift to Dr. Chessman on behalf of the Senate for her two years of service.

Grants and Contracts Accounting Open Forum – Velma Stamp
Velma Stamp from the Office of Grants and Contracts Accounting held an open forum with the Senate. Ms. Stamp reported that the goals of the Office are to become more “faculty friendly” and to improve consumer service. The Office of Grants and Contracts Accounting has taken numerous steps to reach these goals including the co-location of offices, grant administrators meeting with PIs to inform them of their services, and encouraging grant administrators to have more face-to-face time with PIs rather than phone conversations. Although these efforts, along with others, have helped with consumer service, the Office was interested in hearing ideas/concerns from the Senate. A question and answer session followed, and senators were encouraged to review the Web site (http://research.musc.edu/gca/home.htm), and complete the customer survey available via the Web.

II.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM


Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, November 8, 2005. Rooom 125, Gazes Auditorium.

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