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Faculty encouraged to participate in evaluations The faculty senate’s meeting minutes for June, July and August were approved and posted on the senate’s Web site at http://www.musc.edu/facsen. Dean and Chair Evaluation Process Proposal Kathy Chessman, Pharm.D., chair, reviewed a proposal to encourage faculty to participate in the dean and chair evaluation process. Previously, approximately 30 percent of faculty responded to evaluation forms sent from the provost.  In order to increase participation, senators discussed the need to first determine why there is a low response rate to the questionnaire. As a result, the senate decided to include a brief questionnaire on the ballot when voting for new senators takes place at the end of September.  Analysis of the data will be shared with the provost along with suggestions for methods to increase participation. Committee Reports Committee on Strategic Planning—Geoff Freeman, chair, reported that the committee will present an annual plan and a strategic plan for the faculty senate at the October meeting. The committee will also provide information on how the plan for the senate will integrate with the strategic plan of the university.  Strategic areas to be addressed next year include development of a task force to study the process of faculty evaluations completed by students, review of the evaluation process for deans/department chairs,  support increased opportunities for faculty development, monitor revisions to the tenure policy and contract process, and determine a process for tracking and recording changes online to the faculty handbook. Committee on Institutional Advancement—A retreat for new senators elected in September will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 4.  The retreat will take place in room 125 Gazes Auditorium, and all senators (new and returning) are invited to participate. Committee on Communication and Education—Members of the committee on communication and education are planning the fourth quarterly faculty meeting of the year.  This meeting will be held in October, and the proposed program is a panel discussion by the deans of each college and Tom Basler, Ph.D., chairman, Department of Library Science and Informatics. Each dean and Basler will discuss their number one goal for the year and how they envision faculty helping their colleges/departments reach that goal. Governance Committee—Tara Hulsey, Ph.D., R.N., chair, reported that the election for new senators will take place at the end of September. Hulsey asked anyone interested in serving as an officer to contact the governance committee.  A slate of officers will be presented by the governance committee and voted upon at the October meeting. Announcements Paul Gold, M.D., Ph.D., asked that alternates be recognized for their participation this year. The next senate meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 5 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, Daynna Wolff, Lucille London (alternative) Clinical Sciences: Susan Ackerman, Michael Frye, Paul Gold (executive committee), Rochelle Hanson, George Johnson, Arch Mainous, John Osguthorpe, Walter Limehouse (alternate), Swapan Ray (alternate), Kenneth Vanek Dental Medicine: Rick Albenesius (executive committee), Michele Ravenel. Excused: Peter Kobes Health Professions: Anne Kilpatrick, Jennifer Horner, Jack Thomas. Excused: Libby Dismuke Library Science & Informatics: Geoff Freeman (executive committee), Nancy McKeehan, Mary Mauldin (executive committee), Peggy Schachte Nursing: Elaine Amella, Tara Hulsey (executive committee), Teresa Kelechi (alternate) Pharmacy: Kathy Chessman (executive committee), Sandra Garner (executive committee). Excused: Kelly Ragucci Submitted by Mary Mauldin, Secretary to the Faculty Senate Friday, Sept. 24, 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.