UTMB Faculty Senate
February 11, 2008
Caduceus Room
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

MINUTES

Members Present: T. Albrecht, G. Anderson, C. Baker, E. Cuellar, R. Fox, Jose Gonzalez, L. Grumbles, D. Hudnall, A. Hudson Jones, R. Konig, R. Leonard, S. Lewis, K. Mossberg, D. Munsell, G. Olson, E. Protas, J. Ruiz, K. Sandor, C. Utsey, P. Watson, G. Weaver, Nancy Wills, C. Wisnewski

I. Approval of Agenda of 02/11/08 – The February 11, 2008 agenda was approved.

II. Approval of Minutes of 01/14/08 – The minutes of the January 14, 2008 meeting were approved by e-mail.

III. Chief Academic Officer’s Comments (Dr. Pam Watson) – SACS update (5 min) (written report provided by Dr. Watson is appended).
• A meeting was held with UT System on February 15, 2008. Dr. David Callender presented an overall overview of UTMB. Dr. Geri Malandra presented on the Compact. Dr. Watson presented on Education; synergy & SACS, class size and diversity, tuition increases, curriculum development, Academy of Master Teachers, and student tracks. Dr. Anderson presented on clinical strategies, and research.
• Dr. Goldstein, Chair of the SACS on-site review committee is scheduled to be on the Austin campus on Monday, February 25th, 2008. He will be conducting a site review of the Austin facilities. Dr. Valerie West will also attend the Austin visit. They will be evaluating the student facilities in Austin to verify that they are comparable to UTMB student facilities.
• The SACS on-site review committee is scheduled to be on campus on February 26-28, 2008 to conduct its evaluation. They will be reviewing UTMB’s Focused Report, the synergy/QEP document, and meeting with UTMB faculty and students.

IV. Dean’s Corner Dr. Anderson reported on the following:
• UTMB has received initial approval from the Board of Regents for the planning of a new research building. UTMB is planning to build a 140,000 square building with 76,000 square feet dedicated to research, particularly translational research. The building will be located at Sixth street and Harborside Drive, across from the Primary Care Pavilion.

• Plans for a new surgical tower building are currently underway.

Dr. Cooper did not attend the meeting and no report was submitted.

Dr. Protas reported on the following: (written report provided by Dr. Protas is appended).
• Jeannette Winfree left $50,000 in her will to the Winfree Professorship.
• 2008 is the 40th Anniversary of the School of Allied Health Sciences. They are planning a gala for next fall possibly Oct. 18th, Nov 8th, or 15th. They will be asking for faculty to be involved in the planning.

Dr. Watson reported on the following: (written report provided by Dr. Watson is appended).
• Ernestine Cuellar, PhD, RN, CNS, RC, WHNP, BC, assistant professor, was named the first Alice Stubblefield Term (5-yr) Professor of Nursing – established as a research development professorship for junior faculty.
• Patricia Richard, PhD, RN associate professor and associate dean for education technology, was awarded a Nursing Innovations Grant/THECB of $222,318 – “Statewide Collaborations in Clinical Placement”.

V. Financial Report – Mr. Larry Revill (written report provided by Mr. Revill is appended) Mr. Revill reported on the following:
• Mr. Revill provided the UTMB Faculty Senate with the UTMB Institution – All Funds Operating Results – Current Year to Budget Comparison – December FY 2008, and Academic Enterprise – All Funds, Operating Results – Current Year to Budget Comparison – December FY 2008 (reports attached)
• Mr. Revill explained the financial reports to the faculty members present.

VI. Academy of Master Teachers – Dr. Ruth Levine (written report provided by Dr. Levine is appended) Dr. Levine reported on the following:
• Dr. Levine gave a brief presentation to the UTMB Faculty Senate regarding the Academy of Master Teachers.
• Funding opportunities include; Faculty Education Enrichment Award, Faculty Development & Educational Innovations Grans.
• Upcoming AMT Events include: Educational Grand Rounds – “Jazz & the Art of Medicine” – March 13, 2008, and UTMB Education Symposium – May 16, 2008.
• Dates for Spring ’08 Induction: Call for Letters of Intent – sent 01/22, Letters of Intent to Apply Due 02/25, Educational Portfolios and Applications due 04/28, Selection Panel Meets Week of 05/26-30, Induction of Spring ’08 members 06/26

VII. Chair’s Comments – Dr. Albrecht
• Dr. Albrecht did not make a report.

VIII. Chair-Elect Comments – Dr. Hudnall
• Dr. Hudnall did not make a report.

VIII. Past-Chairs Comments – Dr. Baker
• Dr. Baker provided the UTMB Faculty Senate with an update of the SACS review process. Dr. Baker encouraged all Faculty Senators to take any and all opportunities to inform faculty and staff members in their departments about SACS. She asked that they encourage them to read the synergy document, and review information being circulated on campus regarding synergy. Dr. Baker distributed a flyer that describes the purpose of synergy and includes the synergy goals. It also describes how faculty, staff, and administrators can become involved and contribute to synergy.

IX. Senate Business Committee Reports
Academic and Administrative Affairs Committee
• Dr. Kurt Mossberg reported that the committee is reviewing the grievance policy, and the ombudsperson policy. The ombudsperson policy has been completed and voted on by the committee and is ready to be sent to the UTMB Faculty Senators to be voted on. The UTMB Faculty Senate secretary will send it to the Faculty Senators through e-mail to review and vote on. All responses should be submitted by March 4, 2008. The committee is still working on the grievance policy.

Faculty Quality Committee
• The committee is currently reviewing UTMB’s policy for on-line training and testing. They are creating an on-line task force.

Governance Committee
• No report.

New business: • No new business.