UTMB Faculty Senate

November 14, 2011

4:00 – 6:00 pm

MINUTES

 

Present:  Drs. S. Croisant, Chair, S. Al-Arabi, B. Ameredes, J. Badalamenti, K. Beal, B. Bryant, L. Cain, C. Cooper, P. Crane, R. Daugherty, J. Davis, S. Elsaid, L. Farmer, C. Houston, A. Jones, J. LeDuc, J. McBride, N. Mendias, H. Pine, E. Protas, C. Utsey, P. Watson, H. West, C. Wiggs, D. Wild and D. Young

 

Absent:  Dr. M. Kanuth, T. Riall, S. Sarna and C. St. John

 

I.      The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Dr. Sharon Croisant, Faculty Senate Chair.

 

II.    The Approval of the October 10, 2011 minutes.  The minutes of October 10, 2011 were voted and approved by email on October 30, 2011.

 

III.  Provost, VP and Dean’s Report

 

Interim Executive Vice President, Provost and Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – report provided by Dr. Cooper

Dean, School of Health Professions – report provided by Dr. Protas   

Dean, School of Nursing and Vice President for Education – report provided by Dr. Watson

 

III. Reports by Faculty Senate Executive Committee

·      Dr. Croisant mentioned the last meeting with Dr. Callender on October 20 and some issues discussed were: the Chancellor’s Framework and the previously submitted Post Tenure Review policy from the Regents.  Members of the UT System Faculty Advisory Council have suggested some changes and the policy has been sent back to the Regents for their further review.  Dr. Croisant reviewed issues raised by the Senators.  Topics included:  indirect costs on research funding, stipends, funds carry overs, increased support for on-line students, and resources for growth.  Dr. Croisant asked that the Senators send to Mary a one-page bio and a recent photo so that she can compile these into a directory to be sent to faculty and the Department(s) you represent to increase the likelihood of bidirectional communication.

 

IV. IT Strategic Plan – Mr. Ralph Farr, Vice President, Information Services (IS)

Mr. Farr and Mr. Leach distributed the IS Strategic Plan and presented a PowerPoint presentation on the IT Strategic Plan.  Highlights included:

IS Values:  We provide reliable systems and infrastructure; We provide the best service possible to our customers; We secure the information we are trusted to protect; We enable our customers to provide excellent care, leading cutting edge research, and exceptional education; We keep technology current; and We balance our values with fiscal responsibility.

                          Goals

1.     Employ IT Governance, Strategic Initiatives:       

             Continue to use IT Steering Committee to drive the planning and decision-making processes (annually)

             Improve the integration with the UTMB strategic investment process (2012).

2.     Maintain Existing Investments, Strategic Initiatives FY12 examples:

             Oracle PeopleSoft FMA, HCM, and TAM upgrade

             Campus telephone system upgrade

             Refresh 20% of the existing technology infrastructure

             Epic 2010 upgrade

3.     Business Continuity, Strategic Initiatives FY12 examples:

             Migrate Epic EMR, Radiology Information System, Laboratory Information System to off-site data center

             Migrate Hyperion to off-site data center

             Implement a new emergency alert notification system

4.     Develop Staff and Skills, Strategic Initiatives FY12 examples

             Develop a staff training plan

             Improve staff awareness of development opportunities

 

Q & A session followed and a Senator inquired if there is Research representation on the committee.  Mr. Farr stated yes and they could consider adding an additional research member.  The Committee meets quarterly.  CTSA is also a topic, along with clinical trials.

 

V.    Development of an Academy of Research Mentors – Dr. Robert Rose, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

             Dr. Rose informed the Senators about the Academy of Research Mentors at UTMB. Highlights included:

                     Purpose/rationale for an academy of research mentors:

                   To ensure values, standards and practices of science are effectively transmitted from one generation of researchers to another…a core component of this process is mentoring

                   Provide junior researchers with skills to advance in their careers and secure funding

                   Enhance institutional environments to support researchers, especially junior faculty

                   Provide mid-career and senior faculty with tools to improve their mentoring skills

                   Foster research integrity and professional practices

                   Fulfill commitment to establishing the academy of research mentors in our funded CTSA proposal

 

              What is needed for an academy of research mentors to fulfill its mission

                   Develop admission criteria for membership in the Academy of Research Mentors based on their knowledge and experience.

                   Facilitate and enhance incentives for motivating faculty to serve effectively as mentors

                   Establish criteria for selecting mentors and matching them with mentees

                   Development of educational programs for mentors, with both formal and informal training programs

                   After the academy is established identify factors that enhance mentor-mentee relationship

                     Steps to accomplish what is needed and estimated time frame

                         Circulate draft of case statement among Task Force members and other faculty for input and suggestions (Sept-Oct)

                   Meet with institutional leadership committees (Departmental Chairs, Center and Institute Directors, Council of Deans, Research Executive Committee, Faculty Senate) for input and        support (Oct-Nov)

                   Meet with groups of faculty to discuss the Academy, solicit their input and suggestions (Nov-Feb)

                   Develop concise and clear statement of criteria and process that will be used to select members of the Academy (Early 2012)

                   Solicit applications from faculty interested in joining the Academy of Research Mentors.(Begin Jan. 2012)

                   Establish database using training grants and other material to identify active mentors on campus and solicit their interest and potential participation (Feb-Mar 2012)

                   Begin planning for steps to enhance mentor training and faculty development. (Early 2012)

 

VI.  Reports by Faculty Senate Committee Chairs

·      Dr. Cain, Chair of the Academic and Administrative Affairs Committee stated they are working on a Faculty Development Plan specifically for junior faculty; they will look into the childbirth and leave policy for students, start designing a unified plan for all schools and will recognize all the different career paths.

·      Dr. Crane, Chair of the Faculty Quality Committee stated they are making progress with IHOP and Post Tenure Review will be a forthcoming issue.  They will continue to inquire about a faculty lounge and they would like to check with Kim McKay regarding the location of this facility

·      Dr. McBride, Chair of the Governance Committee stated they will be involved with the Post Tenure Review, they will also keep aware of the background checks.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 pm.  The Subcommittees met following the general meeting.