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

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the January 9, 2006, meetings were approved and are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. UPDATES

Dr. Roger Poston, Office of the CIO – Dr. Poston’s complete report is posted on the Senate Web site (www.musc.edu/facsen)

1. Insourcing complete - all IT support personnel are MUSC employees.
2. E*value, electronic course and faculty teaching evaluation system – personnel from each college for this semester’s pilot were trained in January. The Oversight Committee is in the process of drafting policy regarding confidentiality of information and other matters, which will come to the Senate prior to final approval.
3. High performance computing – 113 responses to recent survey and excellent turnout at meetings with Clemson CIO and faculty. Survey results will be posted.
4. Microsoft® Email Exchange transition – Groupwise mail system will transition this spring; targeted transition from imap this summer.\
5. Practice Partner copy database – GCRC currently has 2 copies to utilize for research purposes. IRB approval required for research proposals. Student Health will implement Practice Partner in March/April.
6. WebCT – upgrade completed last summer. New back-up servers recently purchased. There are plans to build an academic portal for faculty and students.
7. Statewide IRB – technology support purchased. USC will host with a target online date of August.
8. Statewide clinical trials management system – “e-research” also in development for statistical analysis assistance.
9. MUSC Research Portal – under development; will provide access to core resources and other information.
10. Purchase of videoconferencing software is in progress.
11. Business plan pending for use of iTunes U for course posting(s).

Tenure Workshop – Dr. Anne Kilpatrick reported that the Tenure Workshop will be held Friday, March 9, 2007 from 1-5 p.m. in Gazes 125. Dr. Greenberg, Dr. Raymond and representatives from every College are welcome. Faculty Senators are encouraged to attend, as well as new and longterm faculty members.

Black History Month – Dr. Albenesius reminded Senators that February is Black History Month, with guest speakers and events scheduled throughout the month. A list of events are provided in The Catalyst.

Provost Survey – The provost survey is posted on the Faculty Senate Web site

II. COMMITTEE UPDATES

Governance Committee - Dr. Walter Limehouse, Chair, reported on the process of filling Senate vacancies. A list of vacancies will be forwarded to Senators and College representatives will be asked to fill vacancies. The grievance policy and conflict of interest sections of the Faculty Handbook will be reviewed.

Institutional Advancement – Dr. Swapan Ray, Chair, reported that the Institutional Advancement Committee is compiling a list of all MUSC standing committees. Once compiled, a determination will be made as to which committees need Senate representation.

Communications and Education Committee – Ms. Peggy Schachte Reported on the success of the New Faculty Welcome on February 5, 2007. Approximately 65 new faculty were added to MUSC with about 50 attending the welcome. The reception was held in the foyer in the Institute of Psychiatry’s . A photograph of each new faculty member was placed on poster boards throughout the foyer.

II. GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Steve Lanier, Associate Provost for Research

Dr. Lanier reflected on change and growth at MUSC since his former faculty position (1991-2001); he is honored to return. His immediate goal is to assess the status of research at MUSC and to determine future directions. He noted that MUSC’s ranking is increasing despite declining NIH dollars; MUSC is ranked 49th among research intensive universities nationwide, and in 2006 was awarded over $190 million (an increase from $123 million in 2001), 50% of which is NIH funding. He also noted that the university is experiencing growth in space and faculty size. Dr. Lanier is placing stress on research support services. He intends to increase research support services, to explore alternative funding streams, and to empower all colleges to grow in research capacity, and encourage entrepreneurial activities.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Faculty Senate Town Hall Meeting, February 20, 2007 BSB Auditorium

III. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Room 125, Gazes Auditorium.

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