UTMB Faculty Senate
June 13, 2005
Caduceus Room
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

MINUTES

Senators Present: J. Alperin; S. Ayachi; C. Baker; M. Best; C. Boodley; D. Breitkopf; B. Budelmann (Chair); C. Christiansen (ex-officio); J. Dallas; J. Gallagher; P. Gallagher; A. Hudson-Jones; H. Jordan; R. Lederman, (Past Chair); R. Leonard; H. Li; C. Phillips; L. Phillips, (ex-officio); L. Primeau; R. Rahr; K. Rasmussen; P. Watson (ex-officio); M. Winter (Chair Elect).

I. Approval of Agenda of 06/13/05

II. Approval of Minutes of 05/09/05

III. President’s Report – Dr. Stobo

• Blue Cross HMO Insurance – No longer available for UTMB employees residing in Galveston County; it continues to be available to UTMB employees not residing in Galveston County. HMO insurance costs more; the premium and the co-payments are higher but coverage does not include the 20% self-pay for hospital costs that must be assumed with PPO insurance. The PPO premium will increase 9% next year (the HMO premium would have increased 34%). A problem cited by Blue Cross was the increased utilization of services by UTMB employees residing in Galveston County relative to those residing outside the county.
• Update on Legislative Session. The focus was on the return of lost revenues of $220 million to the UT System. The legislature restored 5% of revenues to UTMB and added an additional 5%. UTMB also received a $400,000 supplement for medical education rotation. No component received Tuition Revenue Bonds.
• SOM Searches for Department Chair Positions. Progress is being made in the Ophthalmology Chair search. In Internal Medicine, three candidates have been interviewed.
• Mueller Campus in Austin. The President will make a 15 min. presentation at our next Senate meeting on plans for the new campus. A concern is raising adequate funds.

IV. Chair’s Comments – Dr. Budelmann
• Sheryl Lashway is the new secretary in the President’s Office who will handle Faculty Senate issues.
• The Faculty Senate letter in support of the University Service Cores has been presented to Dr. Stobo on May 19, with copies to all Deans and to the Associate Dean for Research Services Administration William New.
• The Chair reminded everyone that all compliance issues on campus (Time & Effort and others) need to be taken very seriously. A letter in that regard has been sent by Dr. Stobo to all UTMB employees.

V. SACS Reaffirmation – Dr. Christiansen
A power point presentation was given by C. Christiansen, CAO and Chair of the Compliance Committee. SACS accreditation is necessary and important for UTMB to retain eligibility for grants and other public funds. SACS accreditation also signifies that UTMB meets and maintains its mission and objectives. In addition, the accreditation review affords an opportunity for self-examination, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate that UTMB can meet SACS recommendations (deliverables) regarding: (1) Compliance certification that meets SACS requirements and standards, and (2) A Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to address the development of excellence in teaching and learning resulting in institutional improvement (with special attention to student learning.) Examples of Quality Enhancement Plans include plans for review of curricula, evidence-based teaching and learning, support for faculty development and recognition, creating a learning environment, including interdisciplinary learning and independent learning. The Leadership Team is chaired by President Stobo. The rotating CAO is the Vice-Chair, with other Deans participating. Senate members invited to participate are C. Baker, H. Jordan, R. Moore and S. Gerik. The future SACS review will include on- and off-site evaluation.

VI. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) – Ralph Farr.
Ralph Farr gave a Power Point presentation and distributed handouts on EMR milestones and planned deliverables. Dr. Alperin raised questions indicating that composite medical entries are currently not included in the medical records.

VII. Teaching Academy (Interim summary) — Dr. Jordan (for Dr. Lieberman).

Dr. Jordan gave a Power Point presentation (with handouts) on the activities of the UTMB Teaching Academy Planning Task Force, with focus on: Faculty Development; Defining Teaching Excellence and Educational Scholarship; Promoting Educational Innovation; Advocating for the Teaching Mission; and Recognizing and Rewarding Excellence in Education.

VIII. Senate Business.

• Nominations for Faculty Senate Chair-Elect.
According to the bylaws, senators from all schools can be nominated except from the School of Medicine since the incoming chair (Mark Winter) represents the School of Medicine. Election for the position will be held at the July 11 meeting. The following senators were nominated and accepted their nomination: Drs. Thomas Albrecht and Christine Baker. Other senators were nominated but respectfully declined their nominations.

• Senators and Faculty Concerns – Update
No new concerns were received.

• Committee Reports
Governance: Dr. Breitkopf gave a Power Point presentation on the results of the APT Survey that the Governance Committee sent to all UTMB Faculty. The response rate was low (14%), which makes conclusions from the survey difficult.
Acad. & Adm. Affairs: No report.
Faculty Quality: Dr. Baker gave a brief update on the Faculty Club. Opening should be soon. More details will be given at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Committee Meetings followed.

Next Faculty Senate Meeting: July 11, 2005.