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Senate proposes change in promotion cycle The faculty senate’s March meeting minutes were approved and posted on the senate’s Web site at http://www.musc.edu/facsen. New Business MUSC Code of Conduct—Guests Ed Conradi, M.D., and Mike Wheeler Conradi and Wheeler explained that the intent for the Code of Conduct is to apply these guidelines across the entire enterprise. There are two versions of the proposed document. The senate agreed that as long as legal counsel approves, either version is acceptable. Return Rate on Evaluations of Department Chairs and Deans—Tom Higerd, Ph.D. Evaluations for department chairs and deans will be distributed the week of April 18. Higerd asked senators to encourage faculty to submit the evaluations. There was discussion regarding whether or not there should be evaluations for associate deans as well. Kathy Chessman, Pharm.D., chair, stated that this item would be brought back to the deans’ council for consideration. Proposal for Changing Promotion Cycle to Twice a Year in the College of Medicine—Lina Obeid, M.D. The College of Medicine requested a change in the promotion cycle from once a year to twice a year. This change would provide opportunities for faculty to receive promotions quicker and would spread the workload for the promotion and tenure committee.   The College of Medicine asked that the university consider implementing this bi-annual cycle as well, approving promotions Jan. 1 and July 1. A change in the promotion cycle requires a minor change in the faculty handbook to reflect the bi-annual opportunity. A recommendation was made that individual colleges have the option to follow an annual or bi-annual cycle.    The senate approved the proposed bi-annual promotion cycle along with the opportunity for individual colleges to determine an annual or bi-annual cycle. Smoking in Private Offices Chessman stated that students are requesting a policy to ban smoking in private offices. The senate voted to support this policy.   In addition, a recommendation was made for the senate to write a letter to Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., supporting the designation of MUSC as a smoke-free workplace.  This was also approved and Chessman will follow-up with a letter to Greenberg. Introduction and Q&A with Roger Poston,Ph.D., director of academics and research, Office of the CIO Poston provided a brief overview of his position and discussed his areas of focus since beginning as director of academics and research in March. Poston stated the purpose of his position is to support faculty in information technology efforts related to academics and research. Since arriving on campus,  Poston has been conducting a needs analysis, meeting with faculty, administrators, and staff. In addition, Poston is steering an effort to create a strategic plan for academic and research computing. Faculty were assured they would be involved in the development of this plan. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Upcoming Accreditation   The SACS visit for reaffirmation of accreditation will take place in 2007.  Currently, 11 committees are  forming to support this process. Chessman will ask representatives from faculty senate to serve on seven of these committees. Subcommittee on Academic/Research Space Backfill This subcommittee will review and recommend plans for filling vacated research space. Chessman asked for a volunteer from the senate to serve on this committee. Town Hall Meetings John Raymond, M.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost, will lead two town hall meetings sponsored by the senate.    The first meeting is scheduled for April 19 and the topic for discussion is “Research and Research Space.” The second town hall meeting is scheduled for April 26 and the topic for discussion is “MUSC Finances.” Faculty Orientation Task Force The faculty senate, together with the office of the provost, will co-sponsor an orientation for new faculty this fall. Integration of MUSC’s and USC’s Colleges of Pharmacy Chessman reported that the administrative structure of the integration would include an executive dean serving both colleges, and two operations deans, one serving at each college. Representatives from both colleges are on the search committee for the operations deans. The executive dean will be invited to the May meeting of the faculty senate. Planned Library Experiment Chessman reported that the library announced an experimental plan to extend its hours of operation to 24 hours, seven days a week. Card access will provide entry during extended hours, but no staff will be present during this time.   The next senate meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m. May 10 in the Room 125 Gazes. The agenda will be posted on the faculty senate’s Web site prior to the meeting. Submitted by Mary Mauldin, Secretary to the Faculty Senate Senators present Basic Science: Janice Lage, Lucille London (executive committee), Robert Ogilvie, Daynna Wolff, Robert Woolson (alternate). Clinical Sciences: Susan Ackerman, Dorothea Eicher, Paul Gold (executive committee), John Osguthorpe, Aljoeson Walker, Walter Limehouse (alternate), Swapan Ray (alternate), Dan Smith, Kenneth Vanek (alternate). Excused: Lucinda Halstead, Rochelle Hanson. Dental Medicine: Rick Albenesius (executive committee), Luis Leite. Excused: Michelle Ravenel. Health Professions: Anne Kilpatrick. Excused:  Libby Dismuke (executive committee), Lloyd Taylor. Library Science and Informatics: Laura Cousineau, Mary Mauldin (executive committee), Peggy Schachte, Tom Smith (alternate). Excused: Jett McCann Nursing: Elaine Amella, Barbara Edlund, Teresa Kelechi, Marilyn King (executive committee), Sharon Bond (alternate). Pharmacy: Kathy Chessman (executive committee), Sandra Garner. Excused:  Kelly Ragucci (executive committee). Friday, April 29, 2005 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. 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