CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Adrian Reuben at 7:45 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2000.
The January minutes were discussed and approved.

Senators present:
Basic Sciences:	Dan Knapp, Harry Margolius, Katherine Meier, Philip Privitera, Jerry Webb
Clinical Sciences:	Peter Carek, Thomas Gettys, Leonie Gordon, Janice Key, Lyndon Key, Maria Lopes-Virella, Adrian Reuben, Dennis Cope
Dental Medicine:	Luis Leite, Jon Rampton
Health Professions:	David Ward, Andrea White
Library & Informatics:	Bobbie Carlson, Elizabeth Connor, Jeannie Ariail, Joann Sullivan
Nursing:	Sally Stroud, Tara McComb
Pharmacy:	Deborah Carson, Jason Cooper, Kurt Lorenz, Ann Spencer
Visitors:	Dr. Edward Conradi, Professor, Department of Pharmacology Dr. Rosalie K. Crouch, V.P. for Academic Affairs and Provost
Staff:	Vivian Hall, Administrative Assistant to the Faculty Senate

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Faculty Senate Retreat will be held on March 14, 2000 at the Harper Student Wellness Center.
Salary increases and financial irregularities are potential discussion topics at the retreat.  To suggest other discussion topics, please contact Luis Leite.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Dr. Edward Conradi, Department of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, addressed the Senate
about the development of a new research integrity compliance council. Compliance liaison officers
(faculty) and compliance managers (business managers) will attend a series of meetings, and a new
effort reporting form will be developed. Several major universities have had their research activities
shut down due to integrity compliance problems, and we would like to avoid a similar situation.
This policy is an extension of the mission to promote excellence in healthcare, research and education.
 

Dr. Rosalie K. Crouch addressed the Senate in her new capacity as Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Provost.   Dr. Crouch is very supportive of the Faculty Senate, having come from the
ranks of the faculty, and understanding faculty concerns and challenges very well. She asked us to
talk with her before problems reach the crisis stage, and agreed to meet with the Faculty Senate
Executive Committee on a quarterly basis.

Dr. Crouch has asked for Senate representation on the Academic Council and Research Council.

Dr. Crouch said that an area of emphasis will be facilities, especially educational. The state bonding
authority gave the College of Dental Medicine and College of Pharmacy building/renovations projects
high marks. The College of Dental Medicine will no longer be able to keep its accreditation if its clinical
facilities are not renovated or replaced. The College of Health Professions also needs new facilities.

Dr. Crouch will ask for Senate representation on the committee that will plan the new research building.

A search is ongoing for a new Associate Provost for Research. Successful completion of this process will
free up Dr. Crouch's time to devote to her new role as Provost.

Dr. Crouch  expressed her consternation with the university's handling of last week's weather emergencies.
She reported to work early,  listened to a normal message on the 792-MUSC line, and started fielding cell
phone calls from students concerned about exams scheduled for that day. Dr. Crouch found out that she had
been left out of the informational loop, and that there was no mechanism to change an earlier decision to stay
open.  Under emergency circumstances, the university needs to make three calls related to academic, medical
center, and operations personnel and that it is no longer valid to follow the Medical center's suit. Dr. Crouch
apologized for the confusion and suggested that the academic side follow the decisions made by the Charleston
County School District. Dr. Crouch will continue discussions with Human Resources Management to address
state law related to working during weather emergencies.

Dr.  Crouch encouraged the faculty to take a more active role in the administrative decision-making process.

Dr. Reuben ask the Senate to review the section of the Faculty Handbook related to terms of appointment for
non-tenured faculty. Representatives of the Faculty Hearing Committee have asked the Senate to review the
wording of Sec. 7.2.1. As written, this section affords little protection to non-tenured faculty facing non-renewal
or termination.

Dr. Reuben reminded the Senate that we have a new administration that listens to the Senate. The Senate needs to reflect the concerns of the faculty at large. Please remember to take issues back to your constituents, and take their concerns back to the Senate. In many cases, specific issues are easier to understand, address and solve than generic complaints.

Dr. Adrien Reuben commented on faculty concerns that transfer payments  to retirement accounts have been delayed as long as three months to resolve recent cash flow problems. He suggested that faculty examine their pay stubs and/or retirement account statements for any inconsistencies.

Dr. Reuben suggested that faculty collect examples of financial irregularities on a prospective basis. Please submit these to Dr. Reuben, and we will collect them to be discussed with Drs. Crouch and Greenberg.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at 7:45 am.