PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL
December 20, 2000

Present: Rosalie Crouch, Joe Good, Bo Faulkner, Jim Fisher, Sarah King, Perry Halushka, Kay Meier (Faculty Senate), Layton McCurdy, Sabra Slaughter (Council Secretary), Stuart Smith, Paul Taylor, John Sutusky, Marion Woodbury, and Walker Coleman

Guests: Casey Martin, Fred Allen, Maurice Snook, Belle Dubis, Susan Haskill, and Susie Edwards

NOTE: Copies of all handout/visual materials used at the meeting are on file in the Office of the Council Secretary.

ITEM 1. FY '02 STATE BUDGET REDUCTION

Extensive discussion resulted in conceptual agreement on a next draft of the budget reduction figures and narrative to be submitted to the Ways & Means Committee by January 5, 2001. This will focus on resultant staffing reductions as well as possible tuition increases while stressing negative effects of any cuts on excellence/quality. It will also be completed in close concert with the other research institutions. An additional point to be included is the fact that only MUSC and the Authority are potentially affected on both the academic and clinical sides as statewide indigent funds will also be subject to any reductions. Also discussed was the possibility of a MUSC official hand-carrying this to the Committee. A related necessity will be follow up formulation of an internal mechanism to develop more specific plans for such reductions that may include programs.

ACTION: Dr. Sutusky and staff will develop the next draft of a cover letter as well as attached figures based upon two draft documents reviewed and specific additional points raised in the discussion. This will be reviewed by Dr. Greenberg, discussed with Presidents of the other research universities, and finalized at the January 3, 2000 President's Council where the programmatic aspects of reduction will also be further considered. Ms. King will continue to work on the internal communications plan.

ITEM 2. STRATEGY FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR FUNDING

Messrs. Faulkner and Allen presented several options and parameters as previously assigned. In addition to these, they emphasized that the main focus should be creative MUSC suggestions to attract larger shares of existing clinical funds and, thus, help offset the academic reductions. This will be further discussed at the next Council Meeting.

ACTIONS: Assignments included Mr. Smith to pull together the Statewide Trauma Plan and needed budget; Dr. McCurdy to write a piece on special scholarship needs of minorities; and Ms. King to continue developing an internal communications plan. A meeting with the Legislative Delegation was tentatively scheduled for January 19, 2001.

EXTRA ITEMS/DISCUSSION

Mr. Woodbury reported that details of the CMH deal had been recently worked out with the County Administrator.

ACTION: Dr. Greenberg will write the Legislative delegation with details of the CMH purchase. Mr. Smith announced that Congress had just enacted legislation to further correct negative impacts to hospitals of the Balanced Budget Act. MUSC could realize up to $ 1.5million relief this year and, perhaps, an additional $ .5million for Graduate Medical Education next year.