UTMB Faculty Senate

October 10, 2011

4:00 – 6:00 pm

MINUTES

 

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

 

Absent:  Dr. J. Badalamenti, P. Crane, L. Farmer, C. Houston, M. Kanuth, J. LeDuc and S. Sarna

 

4-4:30 pm

      Orientation for the new senators was completed.  Dr. Croisant presented the new members with a PowerPoint presentation and then opened for Questions.  

 

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

 

II.    Provost, VP and Dean’s Report

 

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

Interim Vice President and Dean, School of Medicine – Dr. Prough

     Dr. Prough discussed the recruiting process and announced that two committees are being formed for the two chair positions; faculty recruiting, consultants state we need to recruit 167 faculty over the next 5-6 years to staff the new Jennie Sealy Hospital, which is expected to be completed in 2016.

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

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

 

III.  Reports by Faculty Senate Executive Committee

·      Dr. Croisant discussed the last UT Sys FAC meeting and provided copies of Dr. Cigarroa’s “A Framework for Advancing Excellence throughout The University of Texas System: Action Plan.” Link: http://www.utsystem.edu/News/files/2011/FrameworkActionPlan-08-25-11.pdf.  Two new medical centers are planned, one in Austin and one in the Valley.  Also, at the meeting, we were informed that of the UT System academic health centers rankings are expected to increase, with the goal of having one center reach the top 5 of academic health centers nationally.  Significant changes are expected to current Post Tenure Review Regents Rules, which specify review every six years. Regents are now proposing additional mini post-tenure reviews every year.  Dr. Croisant also addressed the issues of economic realities facing the UT schools, which include the likelihood of permanent and perhaps additional cuts.  This will necessitate becoming more efficient, producing more with less and working smarter instead of longer.  With the legislative session, we came out fairly well, but from the public perspective, we need to make good use of our classrooms.  The communication survey that was conducted last year with UTMB faculty was less than stellar, and we will need to start some initiatives especially for the Graduate School and School of Medicine.

·      Dr. Croisant reported regarding the meeting with Dr. Callender, which included Drs. Wiggs and Utsey.  Some issues discussed were: Chancellor’s vision, resources and space.  On the Chancellor’s Framework, we need to identify and work with the Deans and Faculty Senate.  Dr. Utsey is a member of the Faculty Compensation Committee.  Dr. Croisant asked if everyone has seen the email that was sent out about the old Jennie Sealy Hospital, mark your calendars for October 19 at noon; lunch is to be served afterwards.  Dr. Utsey and Dr. Croisant are on the Search Committee for the Provost. 

·      Dr. Croisant provided the Senators with a one-page document with a brief paragraph about each of the subcommittees (attached).

Dr. Wiggs added from the UT Sys FAC meeting that blended/online education proposals will be solicited.  All of the academic health centers want to work together and share ideas, resources, etc., for the development of the South Texas health science center.

 

IV.  Conduct of Clinical Research Policy – Mr. William New, Associate Dean for Research Administration

Mr. New reported that UTMB is developing a research specific section of the IHOP.  One of the first policies for that section is the policy on clinical research.  The IRB has traditionally been the repository for many policy aspects of clinical research; however, the statement in IHOP will give broad exposure to the fundamental requirements to conduct clinical research at UTMB: the PI is responsible for the all aspects of the study, the PI should be qualified, the PI should train members of the team on their roles, the department chair should endorse the protocol as appropriate for UTMB and endorse the PI qualifications, the PI needs IRB approval and the PI should follow UTMB policies and procedures and federal regulations.  The Office of Clinical Research, a joint endeavor by Research Services and the Institute for Translational Sciences and headed by Erin Pennington, is assembling a website listing of clinical trial guidance, procedures, etc. to which the IHOP refers clinical research teams for further information.”

 

V.  Business

·      Dr. Croisant asked the Senators if they or their colleagues have any concerns that we need to address this year at the Faculty Senate meetings.  Dr. Croisant developed a list of these concerns.

·      Before adjourning the meeting, Dr. Croisant asked that the Academic and Administrative Affairs and the Governance Committees appoint their Chairs and Co-Chairs.

 

At 6:00 pm, the meeting was adjourned.  The Subcommittees met following the general meeting.