The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:45 AM in Gazes Auditorium.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the March 13, 2007, meeting were approved and are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. Vote on Resolution by MUSC’s Student Government Association

The Senate voted to support a resolution by the MUSC Student Government Association that will revise and change the admissions equal opportunity policy at MUSC to read as follows:

The Medical University of South Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or marital status in the administration of admission policies, education policies, financial aid, employment, or any other university activity.

II. Committee Reports

Governance Committee – Dr. Walter Limehouse, Chair, reported that the working copy of the Faculty Handbook’s Appendix has been presented to the Deans’ Council, President’s Council and the MUSC auditor for approval prior to presentation to the Board of Trustees. The recommended changes will be presented to the Board of Trustees during their meeting in May.

Dr. Limehouse also reported that the committee is beginning to plan for the upcoming Senate elections that will be held online during September 2007.

Communication and Education Committee – Ms. Nancy Duffy reported that a Town Hall meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2007. The topic of the meeting is the TEACH Act, and the speaker is Mr. Chip Hood, Executive Director of the MUSC Foundation for Research Development.

Committee on Institutional Advancement – Dr. Swapan Ray, Chair, reported that there are 14 university standing committees. Dr. Ray said the Senate needs to determine if Senate representation is necessary on all of these committees.

II. Guest Speakers

Dr. Tom Higerd and Dr. Amy Blue – Dr. Tom Higerd, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, and Dr. Amy Blue, Assistant Provost for Education, provided a report on the SACS accreditation. Dr. Higerd reported that the on-site visit was just completed in March and went very well. Dr. Higerd explained that in addition to the on-site review team’s visit in March, an off-site team reviewed our 80 compliance standards. These standards are available on the MUSC Sacs Web site (www.musc.edu/sacs). The off-site committee found 5 standards out of compliance and MUSC responded to these during February 2007. The on-site team reviewed the responses to the standards that were considered out of compliance and found our responses brought them into compliance. In addition, the on-site team reviewed our Quality Enhancement Plan and a written summary of their visit should be received in the very near future.

Dr. Higerd encouraged senators to review the SACS Web site and thanked all faculty and staff involved in this effort. Dr. Higerd also reported that the faculty credentials section of the SACS Web site will be expanded to include all faculty, instead of the current listing of only teaching faculty.

Dr. Amy Blue provided an overview of MUSC’s Quality Enhancement Plan. The title of this plan is “Creating Collaborative Care” and will focus on interprofessional education, with an emphasis on student learning. The process for determining the topic of the plan and the goals for the plan were reviewed. Several committees will work to support this effort and its 4 areas of emphasis: curricular, extracurricular, faculty development, and clinical effectiveness and patient safety. Students as well as faculty will be involved in all committees. A formal report is due in five years and the SACS review team encouraged MUSC to begin work immediately on this plan. Dr. Blue encouraged Senators to participate in this effort.

II. Updates

President’s Council – Dr. Rick Albensius, President, reported that during the March meeting of the President’s Council, it was announced that the new e-mail system will be in place by Fall 2007. An update on the new Drug Discovery building was also provided.

Standard of Conduct for Trainees, Students, Residents and Fellows – Dr. Rick Albenesius reported that there is a final meeting to review this proposed policy with Dr. Valerie West, Associate Provost for Education and Student Life. The meeting is scheduled for April 24, and Dr. Albenesius will provide a report at the May meeting of the Faculty Senate.

Parking Committee – Dr. Rick Albenesius reported that renovations will take place on parking for Colcock Hall in June 2007. He also reported that CARTA Express has sold 700 passes to MUSC employees. If an employee is interested in riding CARTA Express and would like to relinquish their parking space, the space will be given back if the employee decides to no longer take advantage of the CARTA Express service. Dr. Albenesius also said that a ruling regarding the length of time a vehicle can remain in a handicapped parking space is currently being debated in the State legislature.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 AM

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Room 125, Gazes Auditorium.

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