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Faculty senate announces 2004-05 officers The faculty senate’s September meeting minutes were approved and posted on the senate’s Web site at http://www.musc.edu/facsen. New Business This was the first meeting of the 2004-05 term. Kathy Chessman, Pharm.D., chair, welcomed all new senators. Election of officers was conducted by Tara Hulsey, Ph.D., R.N., chair of the governance committee.  Officers elected for the 2004-05 term are: Chessman, chair; Rick Albenesius, DDS, vice chair; and Mary Mauldin, secretary. These three officers will serve as members of the executive committee. In addition, each college will select a senator to serve on the executive committee. Chessman reviewed the accomplishments of the past year: Quarterly faculty meetings were held, and topics included tenure, copyright, and a town hall meeting with Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., and John Raymond, M.D.  The last faculty meeting for the year is scheduled for Oct. 14.  This meeting will be a panel discussion by the deans, regarding the top priority for their individual colleges. Revised constitution and bylaws were approved by the senate. Process initiated to improve evaluation process for deans and department chairs Feedback provided to Raymond and president’s council regarding the contract process Vision and mission statement written for the senate Faculty handbook reviewed for needed revisions; working copy of handbook available online for senators. Initial goals for the 2004-05 were introduced for discussion by Chessman: Work to improve return rate for evaluations of deans and department chairs. Address issues of faculty development in MUSC’s strategic plan. Increase articles in The Catalyst and Raymond’s newsletter. Evaluate use of PACE and make recommendations to the administration Ratify the constitution and bylaws. Continue to represent the faculty senate at deans' council, president’s council and education committee of the Board of Trustees. Complete revision of voting system; once completed, this voting system can be used for additional facultywide issues. Monitor and improve the election process. Trident United Way Kat Kostera from Trident United Way asked senators to encourage faculty in their respective colleges to contribute to this effort. Update on Search for IT Director, Academic and Research Systems Chessman provided an update on the search for the IT director, academic and research systems. The position was advertised and applications accepted for approximately four months.  Frank Clark, Ph.D., and Melissa Forinash screened the applications, and three candidates are being interviewed for the position. The senate affirmed the conduct of the search and asked Chessman continue to monitor and update the senate on its progress. Changes to Constitution and Bylaws Chessman provided an update on the status of the approval of the senate’s proposed constitution and bylaws. A concern was expressed through the deans’ council regarding three issues. The first issue is the use of the words describing the senate’s role with the administration. The senate agreed to incorporate the senate’s vision statement instead of the wording in question. The senate also voted to include a statement that the president of the university serves as an ex officio member of the senate. The third change involved the change of the word “consult” to “consider” related to negotiation processes. All recommended changes were voted upon and approved by the senate. The changes will be presented at the deans’ council later this month. Dean and Chair Evaluation Process Proposal Chessman reported that a survey will be conducted of all faculty regarding the evaluation process for deans and department chairs. Chessman and Raymond are consulting on this process, and the survey will be conducted online as soon as possible. Request from Senator A senator expressed concern about South Carolina Senate candidate Jim DeMint’s statement that gays and lesbians should not be allowed to teach in public schools. Chessman stated that she would bring the concern to the president’s council the following day.  The senate formed an ad hoc committee to study the issue, and Chessman will communicate with the committee following president’s council. Announcements Patricia Grady, Ph.D., R.N.,  from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), will give a presentation from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Institute of Psychiatry Auditorium. The next senate meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m. Nov. 2  in Gazes Auditorium. The agenda will be posted on the faculty senate’s Web site prior to the meeting. Senators present Basic Sciences: Kathy Laber-Laird, Lucille London, Robert Ogilvie. Excused: Janice Lage, Dayanna Wolff Clinical Sciences: Susan Ackerman, Courtney Brady, Dorothea Eicher, Michael Frye, Paul Gold, Rochelle Hanson, George Johnson, Arch Mainous, John Osguthorpe, Dan Smith, Walter Limehouse (alternate), Swapan Ray (alternate). Excused: Prabhakar Baliga, Kenneth Vanek (alternate) Dental Medicine: Rick Albenesius (executive committee), Michele Ravenel, Harmeet Walia Health Professions: Libby Dismuke (executive committee), Lloyd Taylor. Excused: Anne Kilpatrick Library Science & Informatics: Laura Cousineau, Jett McCann, Geoff Freeman (executive committee), Mary Mauldin (executive committee), Peggy Schachte, Tom Smith (alternate) Nursing: Elaine Amella, Barbara Edlund, Teresa Kelechi, Sharon Bond (alternate). Excused:  Marilyn King Pharmacy: Kathy Chessman (executive committee), Patrick Mauldin, Kelly Ragucci Submitted by Mary Mauldin, secretary to the faculty senate Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 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.