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Faculty Senate discusses committees, new hospital The November and December minutes were approved. Chair’s Report The chair reported on the activities of several university level committees.  The Search Committee for the provost met and made recommendations to the president.  Tara Hulsey and Anne Kilpatrick attended the December meeting of the Dean’s Council.  Senators have been asked to meet with their deans to discuss concerns they may have with the tenure policy. Written comments will be given to the Faculty Affairs Committee for further action.  The Senate, at the recommendation of the University Affairs Committee, suggested that the chair attend the board of Trustees meetings.  After discussion with the provost and president, the chair attended the Education, Faculty and Student Affairs Committee, which is where work related to faculty actually occurs. Board meetings are to report the committee actions, so more discussion will be held in committees. The chair reported on some of the activities reviewed at the committee meeting, including college reports, and faculty appointments.  At the President’s Council in December, several proposed centers were recommended for presentation to the Board.  Committee Reports University Affairs Committee: Mary Mauldin, chair. Mauldin reported that the committee has conducted a faculty survey of IT needs. Faculty Affairs Committee: Kathy Chessman, chair. Chessman was elected chair. The committee is working on changes to the current tenure policy, and will receive written recommendations from the deans, and discuss ways to improve the present and proposed changes to the tenure policy.  University Affairs Committee: Paul Gold, convenor. The committee will be meeting soon to discuss compensation issues and other charges of the Senate. Governance Committee: Elaine Amelia has agreed to serve as chair, and the committee will work on reviewing the bylaws. Gender Equity Committee: Hulsey, chair. The committee chair attended the Dean’s Council, and reviewed the background of the Gender Equity Committee. The committee has requested data from deans regarding salary, tenure status, promotions, and other relevant information to determine how we have performed in the areas of racial and gender equity. A survey form has been developed to make this effort more consistent across colleges. Discussions with the university counsel are attempting to assure that appropriate confidentiality of information protects us while we look at where we are as an institution without putting the university at risk.  Brainstorming new hospital The chair reported that a steering committee has been charged with helping the design team authorized by our Board to develop a new hospital, and the beginning of a “new” university. The first meeting was scheduled for Jan. 8, and their efforts were to be completed within 90 days. The senators provided a number of suggestions and questions, and subsequent methods of soliciting information were suggested, including a survey of all faculty.  The next Faculty Senate meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m., Feb. 4, room 107, Library/Administration Building. Special invited guest will be Dr. Donald Johnson, chair, MUSC Board of Trustees. Also, there will be more discussion of the new hospital planning process, and important committee reports. Faculty Senate Attendance Susan Ackerman, Richard J. Albenesius, Elaine Amella, Julia Ball, Katherine Chessman, Libby Dismuke, Elizabeth Erkel, Joli Fermo, Gary Gilkeson, Paul Gold, Tara Hulsey, George Johnson, Anne Kilpatrick, Dana King, Peter Kobes, Marc LaPointe, Lucille London, Stephen Malley, Mary Mauldin, Nancy McKeehan, Carlos Salinas, Benjamin Saunders, Dean Schuyler, Sally Self, Thomas Steele, Joann Sullivan, Jack Thomas, Eberhard Voit, Aljoeson Walker, John Welton, Andrea White, and Michael Zile.   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.