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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction New Hospital Rumor: There have been a steady series of inquiries about plans for the new clinical facilities as well as their potential impact on the VA Hospital, CMH, and the Wellness Center. Rather than respond to each individually, the Rumor Mill has elected to provide the following facts which cover all such inquires. Truth: These inquiries all address the still in progress discussions and the ongoing planing process for the new clinical facilities which have been widely publicized in the press. It is hoped that some preliminary decisions can be made over the near future, but until that time there are no final plans about any aspect of the project. When any phase of these plans is finalized, it will be immediately and widely disseminated through normal channels.    Discount Meals Rumor: Why don't, we, the employees at MUSC, receive  meals at a discounted price? I recently had the pleasure of working at TRMC (Trident Regional Medical Center). For lunch I paid $1.25 tax included for a sub sandwich, chips, Pepsi, and salad. I also know that Roper Hospital gives a good discount to it employees—here at MUSC we pay for parking, we pay full price for meals, and we are paid (hourly) the least in this area. Truth: The revenue from our retail food service operations is used to offset the costs of our clinical food services. Discounting against this retail source would cause a significant loss of revenue in support of patient care meal programs. For example, a discount of only 10 percent would cost the Medical Center more than $200,000 per year. Additionally, discounting for employees of the Medical Center would be unfair to all other patrons of the cafeteria such as visitors, university employees, and students. The Dietetic Department conducts “market basket surveys” with other hospitals and local retail outlets to ensure that our prices are appropriate. As a result of this process, we continue to offer prices in our cafeteria which represent a fair and good value for all customers.  Student Parking Rumor: I overheard two students talking at the Lockwood bus stop. The things they said have lead me to believe that they don’t have to pay to park at Lockwood like employees do. Truth: Everyone who has an assignment in the reserved parking system pays to park. In the case of the Lockwood Drive parking lot, any spaces not being utilized by employees are offered to students at the student parking rate. The employee rate is $25 a month. The student rate is $70 a semester, which works out to be about $17.50 a month.    Transportation Rumor: The situation on the crowded busses has not improved. Will it? Truth: Progress had been made in recruiting more bus drivers. However, even as three new employees were being added, there was one resignation and two drivers went on short-term restricted duty. Human Resource Management is working closely with the unit to develop a long-term recruiting and retention strategy with the goal of stabilizing the workforce and providing consistently adequate levels of service in the bus system. 57 Bee Street Rumor: What are the plans for the newly purchased 57 Bee Street? Truth: 57 Bee Street was acquired because of its long-term strategic importance to the future development of the university. Only a few other parcels remain outside the control of the university on the block bordered by Courtney, Bee, Ehrhardt and Doughty's streets. The university's master plan calls for the eventual development of this site for new facilities for academics and research.   Smallpox Vaccination Rumor: It was mentioned at one time during the discussion about the smallpox vaccine that immunized persons would have to take time off. Is this so, and if it is, will we have to use PTO? Truth: The CDC and DHEC guidelines indicate that some employees could have adverse reactions such as flu-like symptoms to the smallpox vaccine. In the event of any adverse reactions of this nature, employees will be given paid administrative leave for normally scheduled work time. Also, our clinical leaders will carefully assess the CDC and DHEC guidelines in relation to our hospital services. If any special measures are needed to protect patients or employees then the clinical leaders will bring forward recommendations. In any event, there is no plan to require employees to use PTO.   President Ray Greenberg's remarks in the Post and Courier Rumor: I was appalled that the president feels that since the medical school tuition is being raised . . . “students can increase the amount loaned.” Everyone who has ever been a medical student can realize the massive debt accrued during training can greatly restrict their choice of residency. For instance, I did not choose to enter a primary care field because the income from these fields would force me to have debt for possibly 30 years. I found his remarks in the P and C to be most disturbing. Look out Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and other low pay specialities .. . Without residents, South Carolina will suffer.  Truth: Careful reading of the article in the Post and Courier will reveal that Dr. Greenberg expressed concern about the growing debt burden of medical students. He indicated that loan money is available, but that the average amount of debt incurred is a significant issue for our graduates. Not only may this debt affect the choice of primary versus specialty care, but as pointed out by Dr. Greenberg, it may discourage graduates from practicing in underserved areas, such as the rural parts of the state. President Greenberg, Dean (Jerry) Reves and the Board of Trustees all are concerned about the cost shifting of medical education from the state to students and their families. It is a most unfortunate by-product of the state's financial crisis, which has resulted in four cuts in funding to the Medical University during the past two years, cumulatively exceeding $16 million.   Child Care Rumor: Has there been any new information regarding the possibility of implementing on-campus child care services for employees? Truth: The committee working on child care has approval from Father Sanderson of the Church of Holy Communion regarding space for a pilot program for 20-25 preschool children. Their finance officer has been asked to develop charges (for the three classrooms and general multipurpose room and kitchen space) to be presented to our committee in January. This space is available this spring. A survey of accredited child care providers completed by the committee has indicated a high level of interest by at least three major providers in developing proposals for providing these services. Committee members are researching the procurement processes that should be used to arrange for the space and service providers.    Parking Rumor: Why do medical students and residents get to park on campus or at least close to campus, while the nurses, PCT's, etc. have to park and take the bus? Also, why are there not enough buses running at “off-shift” times? The 3-11 shift is terrible. To get to work on time, you have to catch a 2:15 p.m. bus, and then leaving at night you have to wait 20-40 minutes to catch the bus. I don't want the standard answer, “buses run at  these intervals.” In reality, the buses do not run on schedule as you plan, just come out at night and wait....and wait.....and wait. Truth: The parking system, by policy approved by senior leadership, reserves one surface lot near campus (located across Bee Street from the VA Hospital) and three small satellite lots for the exclusive use of students. The total number of spaces reserved for students is 396. There are approximately 2,500 students giving a 6 to 1 space availability. In contrast, parking spaces available on campus for staff from all entities totals approximately 3,200 giving a 3 to 1 space availability. The majority of students participate in the park and ride system. By policy, residents are offered parking in the county garage located at the end of Doughty Street. Spaces not used by residents in the county garage are offered to employees. From 7:30 to 12:40 a.m., buses are scheduled to depart from the Jonathan Lucas stop every 20-25 minutes. Ridership averages less than six people per departure. The schedule can be found online at http://www.musc.edu/transportation/#700musc. If you observe unusual variance from this schedule, call 577-0473.  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.