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Drug-free
workplace policy to be reviewed
The faculty senate’s January meeting minutes were approved and posted on
the senate’s Web site at http://www.musc.edu/facsen.
Old Business Requiring Discussion
Drug-free Workplace Policy—This proposed
policy is being reviewed again to determine its impact on faculty.
Areas of concern include confidentiality, payment for drug screenings,
and training and education needed to enforce the policy. The committee
on faculty and institutional relationships, chaired by Marilyn King, DNSc,
R.N., will summarize the areas of concern most pertinent to faculty and
forward report to the administration with a suggestion for a joint committee
to meet to continue discussion of issues. A request will also be made to
the administration for the senate to be notified of actions taken a result
of the policy.
Proposal for Standardization of the Quarterly
Faculty Senate-sponsored Meetings—Harmeet Walia, DDS, chair
of the communications committee, reported on the committee’s discussion
regarding whether or not to pursue sponsoring quarterly meetings for all
faculty. These meetings have not been well-attended in the past.
Following a discussion among senators, it was decided to sponsor two
faculty meetings with invited speakers, support the orientation for new
faculty as the third meeting, and support Faculty Convocation as the fourth
faculty meeting. A suggestion was made that the two meetings scheduled
with invited speakers provide greater opportunities for discussion.
As a result, the communications committee will develop a format for
these meetings to encourage discussion.
Change to Faculty Handbook—Kathy Chessman,
Pharm.D., chair of faculty senate, reported that Human Resources changed
the policy on qualifications for benefits. Employees who work 50 percent
(rather than the previous 75 percent) are now eligible for benefits. This
requires a change to the faculty handbook since it currently specifies
that only faculty who have at least a .75 position are eligible for benefits.
The senate voted and approved the change in the handbook.
Committee Reports
Governance Committee—Kelly Ragucci, Pharm.D.,
co-chair, reported that the committee is preparing the constitution and
bylaws to present to Paul Taylor, MUSC auditor, in the format he requested.
The committee is also continuing to work on finalizing the senate online
voting system.
Institutional Advancement—Libby Dismuke,
Ph.D., chair, reported that the committee was meeting Feb. 8, to continue
planning the research workshop that will be a collaborative effort between
the senate and the Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies in the
College of Health Professions.
Dismuke also reported on the Women Scholars Initiative, headed by Rosalie
Crouch, Ph.D. There are several subcommittees for this initiative, including
one to study gender equity and one to provide faculty development opportunities.
The committees are currently meeting and the results of these meetings
will become evident through various events planned in the near future and
written reports to the administration.
Communications Committee—Walia, chair,
reported proposals for quarterly faculty meetings sponsored by the senate
(as outlined above). Peggy Schachte, is a member of this committee and
chair of an Ad hoc group coordinating efforts for a new faculty orientation.
She reported that the group is currently conducting an analysis to determine
specicfic needs including the frequency, time, and format of the orientations.
Chair’s Report
Security Document—Geoff Freeman is reviewing
the policy, discussed during the January meeting. A report will be made
during the March faculty senate meeting.
New Business
State and National Policies—Paul Gold,
Ph.D., expressed concern about pending legislative issues that could have
a negative impact on faculty. Following a discussion, Anne Kilpatrick,
DPA, volunteered to form an Ad hoc group to ensure senators remain educated
about policies and proposed budgetary changes at the national and state
level that could affect MUSC faculty.
The next senate meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m. March 8 in Gazes Auditorium.
The agenda will be posted on the faculty senate’s Web site prior to the
meeting.
Senators present
Basic Science: Kathy Laber-Laird, Janice
Lage, Dayanna Wolff. Excused: Robert Woolson (alternate).
Clinical Sciences: Courtney Brady, Dorothea
Eicher, Michael Frye, Paul Gold, Rochelle Hanson, Joseph John, George Johnson,
Walter Limehouse (alternate), Swapan Ray (alternate), Kenneth Vanek (alternate).
Excused: Prabhakar Baliga, Aljoeson Walker.
Dental Medicine: Rick Albenesius (executive
committee), Michele Ravenel, Harmeet Walia.
Health Professions: Libby Dismuke (executive
committee), Anne Kilpatrick, Lloyd Taylor.
Library Science & Informatics: Laura
Cousineau, Jett McCann, Mary Mauldin (executive committee), Peggy Schachte.
Excused: Geoff Freeman (alternate), Tom Smith (alternate).
Nursing: Barbara Edlund, Teresa Kelechi,
Sharon Bond (alternate). Excused: Elaine Amella.
Pharmacy: Kathy Chessman (executive committee),
Sandra Garner, Patrick Mauldin, Kelly Ragucci (executive committee).
Submitted by Mary Mauldin, Secretary to the Faculty Senate
Friday, Feb. 25, 2005
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