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

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the December 12, 2006, meetings were approved and are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. UPDATES

Parking Committee – Dr. Rick Albenesius, Senate President, will serve on the Parking Committee.

Proposed Policy on “Standards of Conduct for Relationships with Trainees (Students, Residents, and Fellows)” – Dr. Albenesius reported that this proposed policy is scheduled to be reviewed by Deans’ Council. Prior to the review by the Deans’ Council, Dr. Albenesius and Senate members that reviewed this policy will meet with Dr. Valerie West, Associate Provost for Education and Student Life, to discuss the Senate’s recommendations.

State’s Administrative Fee for Its Optional Retirement Plan – During the Senate’s August 2006 meeting, Mr. Stewart Mixon, Office of the Chief Operations Officer, gave a presentation on retirement plans and insurance for retirees. There was a discussion about the 3.05% rate of the State’s administrative fee for its Optional Retirement Plan. At that time, a request was made for Mr. Mixon to follow-up with the State about the seemingly high administrative fee. Mr. Mixon sent a report that was presented to the Senate during the January meeting. Mr. Mixon’s report indicated that while the rate seems high, it is what is allowable by law and to amend this, would take legislative action. The fees can be used in four areas only: (1) participant education regarding the merits and risks associated with selection of defined contribution plans versus defined benefit plans; (2) on-going investment education, where appropriate; (3) recordkeeping; and (4) monitoring contract compliance.

The Senate discussed the need to ensure new employees had extensive information regarding retirement options in order to make informed decisions.

Post-tenure Review for Faculty Participating in TERI Plan

Deans’ Council reviewed procedures for conducting Post-Tenure Review with faculty enrolled in the TERI Plan. If a tenured faculty member is enrolled in the TERI Plan, they are not required to participate in the post-tenure review process.

In addition, the Deans added the following statement: “It is also understood that once Post-tenure Review of an eligible faculty member has been initiated, subsequent enrollment in the TERI program will NOT alter the established review process.” Senate approved the procedures that will return to Deans’ Council and President’s Council.

II. COMMITTEE UPDATES

Governance Committee - Dr. Walter Limehouse, Chair, reported that the Board of Trustees will vote on the Amendments to the Constitution during their February meeting. The committee is also determining changes needed to Faculty Handbook.

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 – Mr. Geoff Freeman, Co-Chair, reported that the Welcome for New Faculty is scheduled for February 5, 2007. This event will be held in the Institution of Psychiatry beginning at 4:00 pm. Senators are encouraged to attend. A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2007. Dr. Ray Greenberg will provide a “State of the University” address, and Dr. John Raymond will provide an update on the Quality Enhancement Plan. The Quality Enhancement Plan is a critical component of our accreditation process, scheduled for review March 2007.

II. GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Carol Lancaster, Assistant Provost for Instituional Assessment

Dr. Lancaster provided an update on status of the University’s accreditation process through the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS). An offsite team reviewed our documentation via a Web site during September. Only five citations were noted by the committee, which is a small number compared with an average of eight to fifteen citations. An on-site team will visit the campus in March 2007, for the main purpose of reviewing our Quality Enhancement Plan. Dr. Amy Blue, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Evaluation in the College of Medicine is chairing the development of the plan. Additional information can be found at our SACS Web site: www.musc.edu/sacs

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apple Tree Brown Bag Session, January 31, 2007
Dr. Gabe Virella, College of Medicine
Topic: “Development of Multiple Choice Questions: Rules, Expectations, and Limitations”
Room 405 Education Center/Library MUSC
Noon – 1:00 pm

Professor Peter Lake, February 9, 2007
Charles A. Dana Chair and Director of the Center for Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law
Topic: "Law, Policy, and Student Affairs in the Age of the Millennials"
Time: Noon - 1:00 pm
Location: Room 302, Basic Science Building
Sponsored by the Office of Associate Provost for Education and Student Life and the Apple Tree Society

III. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 AM

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

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