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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction College of Charleston Rumor: Is it true that we are merging with the College of Charleston to save administration dollars?  Truth: No it is not true that we are contemplating any type of merger. We have had meetings with representatives from both the College of Charleston and The Citadel to explore whether there are opportunities for efficiencies by sharing support services.   The  discussion is very preliminary, but has indicated that there may be possible areas of cost savings. Recycling Rumor: I have heard that the recycling program at MUSC is being phased out. This after quite a few years of hearing about the wonderful things our program has accomplished. If it is not being phased out, then why have services been cut to the point that bins are left unemptied for weeks at a time. I understand that only one employee remains in that section who is able to empty the paper recycling bins. If it is being phased out that is a shame. With the amount of paper we go through there should be some effort made to reclaim it. Truth: The MUSC Recycling Program is not being phased out. Services recently slowed due to loss of a full-time employee in July, but we are diligently working to fill this position within current budgetary constraints. Until then, a temporary employee is serving and started Sept. 5.  During the transition time, the recycling coordinator and one  full-time employee have been doing their best to service 4.5 million square feet of buildings. In August alone, 53,320 pounds of paper were recycled. On top of the regular collections, phone book recycling has been ongoing and several very large departments have requested extra services to help with moves.  Your recycling staff sincerely apologizes for any and all service slowdowns, and are working hard to find ways to continue the same top quality service the university family has enjoyed since 1995.  President Greenberg Rumor: Where did the President complete his training? Is he an M.D., Ph.D.?  Truth: Dr. Greenberg received his medical degree from Duke University in 1979. He was awarded a master of public health degree from Harvard University in 1980 and  subsequently received a Ph.D. degree (in epidemiology) from the University of North Carolina in 1983. RIF Rumor: Is there another state budget cut on it's way and will there be a RIF (reduction in force)? Truth: Although no cut in state allocations has occurred yet, current revenue collections suggest that a cut will be required. We are anticipating a cut of at least 5 percent, and perhaps greater, that likely will be instituted after the election. All units have been instructed to hold 5 percent of their allocated state funding in reserve. Through the first quarter of the fiscal year, it appears that we are on target for that goal. If a greater than 5 percent cut occurs, additional actions will have to be considered. Every effort will be made to meet the budget without a reduction in force. In the absence of definite information on the magnitude of any state cut, however, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility. Patient Confidentiality Rumor: Can you clarify where it is safe to throw away materials that contain confidential patient material? (i.e. printout for oasis etc.) Does all of the MUSC trash get shredded? Truth: MUSC is working diligently toward compliance with the federally mandated HIPAA law that governs patient privacy and security of protected health information. Some examples of protected health information are birth dates, social security numbers, diagnosis, and information relating to an individual's medical history. Material that is placed in the gray recycle bins is shredded. Material that is placed in trash cans is not shredded, but just thrown away. All material containing protected health information should be shredded.  Transportation Rumor: Several days each week all of the busses are full. After waiting at Lockwood for two or three full ones to pass by, a group of us will crowd on a bus that is already standing room only and ride on in to work , rather than wait for another bus that might be just as full. It seems to be getting worse instead of better. We all expect a crunch in September with all the students coming back, it's October and it is getting worse each week. What effect do the construction workers have on the bus crowding and the parking crowding? We see some of them riding and parking. I'll pay more to park if I can get a ride without so much hassle.  Truth: Due to sickness and turnover, the transportation staff has recently experienced difficulty in consistently maintaining a sufficient number of bus drivers to run all 10 buses required to fulfill the morning schedule. Steps are being taken to more aggressively recruit and retain drivers. With respect to recently increased passenger loads, ridership is up by about 50 persons per day from September to October. These numbers, however, are not enough to cause undue strain on the system when all needed drivers are operating.  Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.  Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.