Senators present:

Basic Sciences: Knapp, Margolius, Spicer, Webb
Clinical Sciences: Bailey, Baliga, Flume, Kellner, Key J, Reuben, Cheek
Dental Medicine: Leite, Rampton
Health Professions: Bacro, Keil, White
Library & Informatics: Connor, Mauldin, Sullivan, Tyner
Nursing: Huggins, Margolius, Michel
Pharmacy: Carson, Cooper, Nappi, Garner

Staff: Cassano

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Adrian Reuben at 7:30 am on Tuesday, December 1, 1998. A quorum was established and the agenda approved as well as approval of the November minutes. October minutes will be available on the Web this week.

Executive Committee Report:

Based on a survey of the Senators, the new meeting time for the Faculty Senate starting in January will be 7:45 am to 8:45am.

The salary policy seems to have caused concern among some members of the faculty. The committee decided that the faculty at large will be asked to send comments and concerns regarding the new policy to the Senate over the next 9-12 months. Based on the response the committee will determine whether or not the policy needs to be reviewed by the Senate. Dr. Reuben also reported that clarification is needed regarding the issue of raises based on merit versus cost of living. Comments from the floor asked for legal input into this clarification.

Sub Committee Reports:

Academic Affairs Committee Report

Dr. Nappi gave a report on progress regarding the College Appointment, Promotions, and Tenure Committee Proposal. The first draft of the proposal was reviewed by the Deanês Council and sent back to the Senate committee for revisions. Discussion from the floor emphasized the importance of ensuring that the opinions of supervisors and chairs were presented formally to the committee at the time of review. Also, the need to include non-tenured and junior faculty in the composition of the committee was discussed. The Senate, however, voted in favor of the proposed document as it stands. The proposal, which will be sent to the Deanês Council for final approval, is available on the Web site.

University Affairs Committee Report:

Last year, a revision in the Faculty Handbook was initiated after two incidents in the College of Nursing revealed the need for a more standardized procedure related to changing the terms of appointment for non-tenured faculty. Three Deans and three Senators formed an ad hoc committee that drafted the original Handbook revision. At the beginning of this Senate term, the ad hoc committee turned their document over to the University Affairs committee for completion. Dr. Bacro submitted the draft of the Terms of Appointment document that is under consideration by his committee. Senators were asked to review the document and submit comments before the next Senate meeting to the Committee. (The draft also available is on the Web.)

Governance Committee and Faculty Affairs Committee had nothing to report.

Other announcements:

• Dr. Patrick Flume will replace Dr. Sally Webb on the Healthy South Carolina Initiatives Committee.
• Dr. Reuben and Dr. Kellner have been confirmed on the University Tenure Committee
• An ad hoc committee is being formed to review issues related to the promotion and tenure of women at MUSC.
• Senators were asked to promote the role of the Senate within their colleges and to seek input from other faculty on a regular basis.
• The Senate will address the dilemma of sabbatical leave for clinical faculty who have several sources of funding. Comments pointed out that this may already be in progress by the administration.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30am.

The next meeting will be January 5, 1999 beginning at 7:45am.

Faculty Senate of the Medical University of South Carolina
URL: http://www.musc.edu/facsen/
Last Modified : October 2, 1998 - ESH