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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Wachovia Bank Building Rumor: There are wooden barricades around the entire Wachovia Bank Building. I heard that they were put there because there is fear that the building is going to fall down. Is this true? Truth: The Bank Building is not in jeopardy of falling down; however, a few pieces of the stucco-like exterior have come loose and dropped to the ground immediately below the structure.  Thus, the barricades were  placed there temporarily as a precaution to keep pedestrians and automobiles a safe distance from the building perimeter should additional pieces of the exterior fall.  A thorough structural analysis has been completed, and we are in the process of identifying the funding necessary to repair or replace the building exterior materials. Cost of Living Raises Rumor: I heard that a cost-of-living raise was being given to MUSC employees. Will Authority employees  receive the cost-of-living raise as well? Truth: Eligible MUSC (academic division) employees will be given a 3 percent general base pay increase in accordance with the State Appropriations Act and the state human resources plan (applied to the June 13 pay period for hourly paid classified employees and July 1 for salaried employees). The Medical Center (MUHA) is not covered by the state human resources plan. However, MUHA will award performance pay increases (ranging 2 to 4 percent based on performance ratings) in January 2005, as in recent years. Please see the Medical Center's HR compensation policy #15 (see performance pay) for additional details.  Anyone needing additional information should contact their manager, business officer, Rhonda Richardson (University HR) or Susan Carullo (MUHA HR). Web server Rumor: I heard the MUSC web server was too old. Is that true? Truth: Cobweb is currently the primary Web server for musc.edu. It is a (Silicon Graphic Inc.) SGI-Origin 200, with 256MB RAM and a 200 MHZ processor. It was brought up in September of 1998, thus is nearly six years old.  The replacement server project for Cobweb is well underway and will be in production conversion starting in July with completion scheduled for Dec. 31. The replacement equipment is a pair of Dell 1550 servers configured as a cluster for failover. They have 1GB RAM and each has a 1.2Ghz processor. Park and Go Service Rumor: There has been a rumor going around since Feb-ruary regarding the initiation of a park-and-go service as a coordinated effort between CARTA  and the university with parking stations in Summerville, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Ravenel, and James Island. What are the facts? Truth: Talks have been on-going between CARTA and MUSC on potential cooperative efforts that benefit both systems. Specifically, a plan for the MUSC bus system to be assimilated into the CARTA system was being discussed. The advantage for MUSC employees would have been access to the wider CARTA system. When CARTA failed to achieve financial stability through the sales tax referendum last year these discussions were suspended. Recently, a status meeting was held between MUSC and CARTA officials. MUSC's position that CARTA must operate on a stable financial basis was reiterated.  CARTA management expressed confidence that this November's election would see passage of the additional tax proposal supporting its continued operations. If CARTA's financial stability is assured, MUSC will again enter  into discussions with CARTA to determine if both entities can achieve advantage by working together. If the new CARTA includes park and ride services, our talks will certainly include those possibilities.  For more information see the Post and Courier of April 17: http://www.charleston.net/stories/041704/loc_17carta.shtml. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.   Friday, July 2, 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.