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Raymond addresses Faculty Senate members, highlights role  The Faculty Senate February minutes were approved during the March meeting. John Raymond, M.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost, spoke to the Senate and shared his vision and thoughts on the role of the office of the provost and his perception of the relationship of his office to the faculty. Raymond has scheduled three faculty meetings on March  13, 24, and 31 to discuss specific aspects of the Office of the Provost: research, budget and education respectively. Considerable discussion followed. Governance Committee—Elaine Amella, chair: This committee is meeting frequently to present changes to the bylaws, which have not been amended in a long time. Duties of the officers and various committees, as well as length of terms, and other areas of importance are the subject of this effort.  In addition, the committee conducts the election, which will take place in the spring. Considerable work has been done to make an accurate list of faculty, and to make sure that all eligible faculty are able to vote. Gender Equity Committee—Tara Hulsey, chair: The committee is close to receiving data to complete its study of faculty compensation. It is important to see total salaries, which reflect all sources of compensation, in order to assess the extent of equity.  University Research Council—Michael Zile, chair: This is a university committee, to which the Senate sends delegates. Michael Zile, one of our representatives, was selected to serve as chair of the reorganized council. They have met once, and have an extensive agenda. The council includes representatives not only from the faculty, but also from support areas in the university critical to implementing the university’s research mission.  Chair’s Report:  Dean’s Council: The chair attended the Dean’s Council meeting in February. Senators have met with their deans to discuss concerns they may have with the tenure policy. Written comments after being consolidated by the Provost’s Office will be given to the Faculty Affairs Committee for review and further action.  State of SC Legislation activity: More than 1,000 bills were submitted during the legislative session. This year, several would have had potential negative effects on faculty. While our legislative liaisons are very helpful in this process, our faculty had a chance this year to be involved as well. The chair reported that a bill intended to address employment at will would have had negative effects on college faculty in our public and private universities and colleges. A special meeting with legislative staff from the Senate in Columbia (the bill had already passed the House) resulted in an amendment to exempt the tenure process from the effects of the bill. A faculty meeting was also held at MUSC in February by the Faculty Senate to inform faculty of the status of the legislation. An additional set of bills involved privileges of non-citizens. A number of senators assisted Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., in implementing an informational process to demonstrate the negative impact these bills would have on our research and teaching missions. Work on the future of the Faculty Senate: The chair encouraged people whose terms are expiring this spring to consider a second term, and to consider participating in the leadership of the Senate. This is an exciting time, with the new provost, and a number of initiatives have been undertaken this year.  Senators present Basic Sciences: Philippe Arnaud, Debra Hazen-Martin, Lucille London, Eberhard Voit, Clinical Sciences: Susan Ackerman, Connie Best, Gary Gilkeson, Paul Gold, George Johnson, Dean Schuyler, Benjamin Saunders, Subbi Mathur, Thomas Steele, Aljoeson Walker Dental Medicine: Richard J. Albenesius, Elizabeth Erkel, Carlos Salinas, Stephen Malley Health Professions: Libby Dismuke, Jennifer Horner, Anne Kilpatrick, Andrea White Library Science and Informatics: Mary Mauldin, Nancy McKeehan, Joann Sullivan  Nursing: Elaine Amella, Julia Ball, Tara Hulsey Pharmacy: Marc LaPointe   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.