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

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the April 10, 2007, meeting were approved and are posted on the Senate's Web site.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

I. Welcome to New Senators

Dr. Rick Albenesius, President, welcomed two new Senators: Mindy Blackwell from the College of Health Professions will serve as a Senator and Alicia Sievert from the College of Health Professions will serve as an alternate.

II. Committee Reports

Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships – Dr. John Osguthorpe, Chair, reported that the committee is working with Dr. John Raymond to look at the re-formation of a Committee on Intellectual Property. This committee was formed several years ago and charged with developing a policy on copyright and patents. Several issues were addressed by the committee but not resolved, including the percent of revenue faculty would receive from use of their copyrighted material. Dr. Osguthorpe reported that the Senate will have representation on this committee if reconstituted.

Dr. Osguthorpe also reported that the committee is reviewing the report of a Tenure Work Group from 2002. This Work Group was initiated by Dr. John Raymond to explore the issue of tenure being linked to specific programs as well as a proposed base salary for tenured faculty. The Work Group submitted a document to Dr. Raymond outlining their findings and their disagreement with the proposed base salary for tenured faculty. Although the document was approved by the Board of Trustees in August 2002, the Senate recommended changes to the document the same month it was approved by the Board. These recommended changes have not been reviewed and approved by the Board and as a result, the Committee on Faculty and Institutional Relationships is reviewing the proposed changes. The Committee has recognized a contradiction in the document from the original Work Group and Dr. Osguthorpe indicated that the question now is whether the Senate wants the Committee to continue to pursue work on this effort.

The third item addressed by Dr. Osguthorpe was the process for faculty grievance. There is a proposal for a new process to address faculty grievances for cases not resolved within a college. The proposed process would rely on a joint official committee of the Senate and the Office of the Provost. The committee would be composed of senators, an Ombudsman, and co-chaired by Dr. Raymond and a faculty member appointed by the Exec. Committee of the Faculty Senate from the college from which the grievance originated.

Communication and Education Committee – Mr. Geoff Freeman, Chair, reported that approximately 60 faculty and staff attended the Town Hall Meeting in April. This meeting was led by Mr. Chip Hood, the Executive Director of MUSC’s Foundation for Research Development. The Town Hall meeting focused on the TEACH Act. Mr. Freeman indicated that there was a lot of interest in the topic and there will be more opportunities for faculty and staff to learn about the issues related to this Act as well as copyright and intellectual property.

Mr. Freeman said that next Town Hall meeting sponsored by the Senate will be in September and discussion is currently underway to determine speaker. A welcome for new faculty is scheduled for August.

Governance Committee– Dr. Walter Limehouse reported that the President’s and Deans’ Councils approved proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook. The proposed changes will be presented to the Board of Trustees on May 17th.

II. Guest Speakers

YES Campaign - Becky Dornish and Emily Ferraro from the Office of Development gave a presentation on the YES campaign currently underway. This year’s goal is $320,000. Senators were encouraged to participate in the campaign. Ms Dornish and Ms. Ferraro emphasized the difference the percent of employee participation makes when soliciting funds from foundations, corporations and individuals. Donations can be made online this year and UMA is offering a match of up to $50,000 for donations made to the Hospital Authority Building Fund.

 

II. Updates

Graduation Committee – Dr. Aljoeson Walker, Senate Representative, encouraged faculty to submit grades to enrollment services as soon as possible and to participate in the graduation exercises.

Standard of Conduct for Trainees, Students, Residents and Fellows – Dr. Rick Albenesius asked Senators to read the proposed version. There will be a final meeting to review this proposed policy with Dr. Valerie West, Associate Provost for Education and Student Life. The proposed policy will return to the Senate for review.

Employee ID Numbers – Beginning May 29th, Employee ID Numbers will go into effect replacing the use of Social Security Numbers. Personal ID Numbers can be found at www.musc.edu/hrm/myrecords/

New Dean announced for College of Health Professions – Dr. Mark Sothmann has been appointed Dean of the College of Health Professions. Dr. Sothmann is the current Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Dr. Sothmann intends to assume duties as Dean the second week of July 2007.

Convocation Committee – Dr. Anne Kilpatrick reported that the theme for this year’s Convocation is “Collaboarative Care”. The committee is asking faculty, students and staff to submit posters reflecting MUSC’s work in providing Collaborative Care.

E*Value Committee – Dr. Andrea Wessell reported that E*Value was pilot tested this semester in each college. Decisions have been made about the core questions and the anticipated rollout of this system for the entire university is expected this summer and fall. A question was asked whether students would be required to complete an evaluation prior to release of their grades. Dr. Wessell indicated that this was a recommendation from the E*Value Committee and a policy is being considered to address this issue.

Report on Women and Minorities in the University – Dr. Anne Kilpatrick requested the Senate receive a formal annual report from the Women Scholars on the number of women and minorities in the university.

III. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM

Next meeting: 7:45 AM, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Room 125, Gazes Auditorium.

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