PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL
April 25, 2001

Present: Thad Bell, Joe Good, Ray Greenberg, Jim Fisher, Sarah King, Perry Halushka, Layton McCurdy, Kay Meier (for Adrian Reuben), Sabra Slaughter (Council Secretary), Betts Ellis (for Stuart Smith), Paul Taylor, John Sutusky, and Walker Coleman

Guests: Liz Castle

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

ITEM 1. Board of Trustees Dress Rehearsal

All present reviewed their items with appropriate minor adjustments made. As important meetings in Columbia necessitated the absence of Dr. Crouch and Mr. Woodbury, they will review their items later.

ACTION: Ms. Castle will finalize agenda booklets for mailing on Friday, May 4, 2001.

ITEM 2. Constituent Advisory Board Administrative Policy

Mr. Fisher presented the draft policy with additional modifications as based on President Greenberg's discussion with an interested study participant (see President's Council Minutes of April 18, 2001, Item 5).

ACTION: Council approved the Policy for implementation.

EXTRA ITEMS/DISCUSSION

Past participating Council members informed Mr. Fisher about the opportunities and benefits of the statewide Executive Institute. In addition, Mr. Fisher will coordinate with the Dean of Nursing in making sure that the College's advisory board is informed in a timely manner about her resignation and plans for replacement.

Mr. Good noted an increasing tendency for college level faculty and student groups to propose policies and procedures redundant to, often in ignorance of, and sometimes in conflict with existing University policy and procedures. He was concerned specifically about lack of Faculty/Student Knowledge of University Policy/Procedure.

ACTION: Once the new Dean of Medicine is aboard, Mr. Good will request that Dr. Crouch schedule a Deans' Council Discussion of this subject.

This led Council into a related discussion of Student Groups and How They Are Authorized.

ACTION: Mr. Good, Dr. Slaughter, and Mr. Coleman will gather background material for further Council discussion including a current list of recognized University student groups at all levels; any policies, procedures, and rules in existence required for their official recognition; and amounts and sources of any University funds used to support any such groups on campus as well as any criteria for the allocation of such funds.

Mr. Taylor emphasized the importance of direct University involvement in and knowledge of all aspects of all University affiliate organizations and entities, as well as their recognition that all are on the same University team.

Dr. Bell led Council in a discussion of how to encourage greater student participation in University functions. Mr. Fisher noted the success of the recent Student Leadership Conferences, and suggested that time had come for leadership of these to be passed from Development to the Provost's Office.

Dr. Bell also reported on the recent meeting of the CHE with universities to discuss allocation of the new $ 900,000 grant to encourage hiring and retention of diverse faculty. He was asked if the Diversity Recruitment/Retention Grant Guidelines would permit assistance with a specifically noted MUSC faculty retention situation.

ACTION: Dr. Slaughter will follow up with the involved MUSC department head and Dr. Tom Higerd, who helped write the grant, to determine if the Guidelines will permit any assistance.

Ms. King reminded Council of the Guidelines for Official MUSC Media Contacts--these requiring that the Board Chair speak for the Board and the President for the University unless specifically delegated.

ACTION: Once the new Dean is aboard, Ms. King will request that Dr. Crouch schedule time for her to present the Guidelines to Deans' Council.

Mr. Sutusky reported on the recent disappointing State budget decisions by the Senate. This led into discussion of options for budget reductions, including possible Voluntary Furloughs by MUSC faculty and staff.

ACTION: Mr. Good and Mr. Taylor will determine any existing authority at the agency level for all types of furloughs and report this information back to Council.

Dr. Slaughter summarized the recently ETV aired seminar on "Progress in Health Disparities for Minorities in South Carolina" which had been partially organized by MUSC staff. He had attended the seminar earlier in the week. This led into discussion about Possible NPR Airtime Opportunity offered by Dr. Linda Austin's recent resignation.

ACTION: Ms. King will follow up with appropriate ETV officials to explore all opportunities and report any identified back to Council.