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Senate updates faculty on mission, election The faculty senate’s May meeting minutes were approved and posted on the senate’s Web  site at http://www.musc.edu/facsen. Committee Reports Strategic Planning Committee—Geoff Freeman, committee chair, presented a draft of the mission statement for the faculty senate. Following discussion, the mission statement was approved with edits. The approved mission statement is posted on the faculty senate’s Web site  and  reads: “The mission of the MUSC Faculty Senate is to represent the views, needs, and interests of faculty in the educational, research, and service programs of the university.” Governance Committee—The governance committee  continues to work on the election process scheduled for August/September. Former chair Elaine Amella asked senators to encourage fellow faculty members to consider running for the senate. The committee is also focusing its efforts on reconciling the existing handbook with the working draft of the faculty handbook.  Committee on Communication and Education—The committee on communication and education  planned a faculty town hall meeting for June 3. Speakers will be Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., and John Raymond, M.D. Greenberg will address the fiscal status of the university, provide an update on building projects, and discuss current and proposed mergers within and outside of the university. Raymond will discuss the faculty contract process, support for distance education efforts, and current issues from his office. Greenberg and Raymond will be available for questions following their presentations.  Committee on Faculty and Institutional Affairs—Paul Gold, committee chair, reported that the committee is exploring strategies for faculty development. Gold suggested several pertinent, current topics including emerging and changing skills of faculty, training and supporting faculty in the teaching of chronic care, supporting and encouraging women in research, conducting research in community settings, seeking research funding through foundations and corporations, and recognition for achievements in team/collaborative efforts.  Kathy Chessman, Pharm.D., requested volunteers from the senate work with this committee during the summer, explore the issues, and provide a written document with recommendations for faculty development. The document will be presented to the senate and forwarded to the administration. Presentation on YES Campaign—Jenny Clifton from the Office of Development encouraged faculty to support the YES Campaign. Clifton emphasized the fact that corporations and foundations that consider providing financial support to the university and/or research efforts frequently ask about the percentage of faculty that participates in giving.  This year’s goal of the YES Campaign is $300,000. Chair’s Report—Kathy Chessman Evaluation of Deans/Department Chairs—Evaluation forms for deans and department chairs were distributed last month. There was an approximately 30 percent return rate on these forms.  Senators indicated the low return rate might be due to concerns about confidentiality and whether or not the forms were anonymous. There was also discussion regarding whether or not feedback could be provided to faculty (without breaking confidentiality of the report to the dean/department chair) in order to encourage participation.  Chessman will relay these concerns to the administration. Budget Issues—There will be a state-mandated 3 percent salary increase for classified and unclassified employees. This raise was mandated but not funded. In addition, a 20 percent cut in travel and phone use has been requested. While this represents a cut in funding, it is less than what MUSC had anticipated for the coming year. Request from Public Relations—In order to ensure that faculty have a successful and productive experience with the media, the Office of Public Relations  asked that all requests for communication with the media go through its office. Merger of MUSC and USC Colleges of Pharmacy—A group from USC’s College of Pharmacy, primarily students, has protested the merger. A number of attempts have been made to introduce bills in the S.C. state  senate that would block or delay the merger. These have not been successful and the search for a new dean continues.  Fund-raising Efforts—Fund-raising efforts are up 20 percent from this time last year. The College of Pharmacy and the Hollings Cancer Center recently received generous gifts. Announcements Eberhard Voit, Ph.D., accepted an endowed chair at the Georgia Alliance Research Center. Voit will  leave MUSC in September. Chessman thanked Voit for his numerous contributions to the senate and MUSC. Julia Ball, R.N., Ph.D.,  accepted a position as director of the USC-Aiken School of  Nursing. Chessman also thanked Ball for her numerous contributions to the senate and MUSC.   The next senate meeting will be at 7:45 a.m., July 7,  in Gazes Auditorium. The agenda will be posted on the faculty senate’s Web site prior to the meeting. Senators present Basic Sciences: Robert Ogilvie, Sally Self, Eberhard Voit (executive committee), Lucille London (alternate). Excused: Maurizio Del Poeta (alternate) Clinical Sciences: Christopher Frueh, Michael Frye, Paul Gold (executive committee), George Johnson, Aljoeson Walker, Michael Zile,  Walter Limehouse, Swapan Ray. Excused: Susan Ackerman, Rochelle Hanson, Andrew Gelasco (alternate) Dental Medicine: Carlos Salinas. Excused: Rick Albenesius (executive committee), Luis Leite (alternate) Health Professions: Libby Dismuke (executive committee), Anne Kilpatrick. Excused: Jennifer Horner Library Science and Informatics: Geoff Freeman (executive committee), Mary Mauldin (executive committee), Peggy Schachte. Excused: Nancy McKeehan Nursing: Elaine Amella, Teresa Kelechi (alternate),  John Welton (alternate). Excused:  Julia Ball, Liz Erkel, Tara Hulsey (executive committee) Pharmacy: Kathy Chessman (executive committee),  Sandra Garner (executive committee), Kelly Ragucci (alternate). Excused: Marc Lapointe Submitted by Mary Mauldin, Secretary to the Faculty Senate Friday, June 18, 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.