PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL MINUTES
February 25, 2009

Present: Ray Greenberg (chair), Wallace Bonaparte, Jack Feussner, Jim Fisher, Joe Good, Chip Hood, Sarah King, Walter Limehouse, John Raymond, Jerry Reves, Jack Sanders, and Sabra Slaughter.

Guests: Susan Barnhart, Christine Brown, Susie Edwards, Robyn Frampton, Steve Hargett, Marcia Higaki, Stephen Valerio, and Patrick Wamsley.

ITEM  1 Financial Updates

As of the 7th month period ending 01/31/09 MUSC net income was $ -4.5 Million, MUHA $-6.1 Million; UMA $-15/8; and CFC $86,417.

ACTION: Council received this as information.

ITEM 2  YES Campaign

Mr. Fisher summarized the history of the annual MUSC YES Campaign, which provides employees an opportunity to make charitable gift to funds within MUSC Foundation.   Since its inception in 1988 over $5 million has been contributed to support some eighty-campus programs.   Mr. Fisher solicited Council member comment about the prudence of continuing the YES Campaign in light of the extraordinary financial challenges facing the University and its employees.

ACTION:  Council agreed that the YES Campaign should be continued citing the recently established Furlough Relief Fund which offset the loss of pay to all furloughed employees making less than $30,000 per year.  

ITEM 3  Proposed Institutional Videoconferencing Standards Policy

Dr. Raymond presented this proposed policy, which will support all MUSC entities including the hospital. 

ACTION: Council unanimously endorsed the policy with a recommendation for University Board of Trustee approval at its next scheduled meeting.

ITEM 4  University Calendar

Dr. Raymond presented the University Calendar 2008-2013 developed by the deans of the colleges to provide congruent schedules of orientation, registration, beginning and ending of classes, examinations, holidays, etc. 

ACTION:  Council received this as information.

ITEM 5  Guidelines for Residency Determination

Dr. Raymond presented the Guidelines as prescribed by state statue and regulated by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.  Council discussed the need to clarify the mandatory one-year residency requirement.

ACTION: University Counsel will further clarify one-year residency requirements as well as how this is handled at the other SC supported universities.

ITEM 6  General Updates

Dr. Slaughter reported that Dr. LaVerne Ragster, President of the University of the Virgin Islands, and two of her faculty members, Drs. Donna Nemeth and Tyler Smith visited MUSC campus to discuss collaborative opportunities in marine science, physician assistant studies, and stroke tele-health interventions, and public outreach.  They also attended the Ernest E. Just Symposium.

Mr. Fisher complimented Lisa Montgomery on the excellent presentation she made at a recent meeting of the MUSC Foundation.  He also announced that the Duke Endowment is not accepting applications at this time. 

Dr. Greenberg summarized the federal economic stimulus bill to assist states in K-12 and higher budget restoration that could provide up to $15 million to MUSC if accepted by state government.  He added that while this is good news it would not affect the current year’s budget.  He stated that the Health Sciences South Carolina Board approved Dr. Ian Sanderson’s information technology strategy, which creates a platform for clinical trial collaboration.  In addition, electronic reviews of CoEE proposals were completed.  Five of the six top proposals are MUSC related; however, no money will be awarded this year.

Dr. Raymond commented about NIH funding to supplement existing grants and efforts underway in the Office of Research Development to assist with the preparation and submission of grants applications.  He also noted that substantial funding would be available for information technology.

Ms Montgomery reported that the energy conservation contract is moving forward, stated that progress is being made in discussions of joint-purchasing with The Citadel, the College of Charleston, and Trident Technical College to reduce cost, and that staff expressed appreciation for F & A town hall meetings and ongoing communication.

Mr. Bonaparte announced that MUSC is ranked 4th among state institutions in achieving affirmative action goal during FY 07-08.

Mr. Hood noted progress with several FRD initiatives.

Dr. Reves reported that the CTSA application score is very competitive and within the funding range.  He complimented Dr. Kathleen Brady and others  who worked so diligently on the application.  He also commented that MUSC improved in its NIH awards ranking; said that Senator Lindsey Graham will visit MUSC next week to announce the HCC NCI designation; and that the College of Medicine is moving forward with its restructuring efforts.

Dr Clark stated that the OCIO is continuing its meetings with The Citadel and the College of Charleston to explore mutually beneficial telecommunication opportunities.

Dr. Limehouse commented about faculty contract concerns expressed during Faculty Senate meetings. 

Dr. King commented about positive anticipations of Dr. Vladimir Mironov upcoming appearance on the Colbert Report regarding his research on lab-grown meat.

Dr. Sanders stated that the Funding Allocation Work Group has been meeting weekly.  He also noted that the College of Dental Medicine Alumni weekend is coming up and that President’s Council will be given a tour of the new clinical facility in the near future. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.