I. Dr. Richardson opened the meeting at 5:05 p.m. Present: Drs. Abrams, Akman, Barnett, Berg, Brindle, Chiaramello, Collins, Golder, Guidotti, Hales, Katz, Kennedy, Latham, Lipson, Markus, McCaffrey, Mr. McGraw, Drs. Mendelowitz, Richardson, Rosenberg, Sadeghi, Simmens, Turley; Dr. Scott, Dr. Hirshfield; Dr. Atalla; Mr. Chelluri. Absent: Drs. Abell, Aly, Arce, Ayas, Berrigan, Bosch, Mr. Cawley, Drs. Cleary, Cohen, D’Angelo, Gaba, Geist, Goldstein, Goodrich, Guritzky, Haider, Hawdon, Hotez, Jones, Knoll, Little, Lucas, Manner, Miller, Noben-Trauth, Ottolini, Pearl, Phillips, Polin, Siegel, Mr. Teitelbaum, Drs. Venbrux, Verme, Vyas, Walia; Dr. Williams, Dean Katz.

II. The minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2006, were approved as distributed.

III. Executive Committee Report: Dr. Richardson highlighted the Executive Committee’s review and approval of a Departmental Review Policy which is on today’s Senate agenda; and the scheduling of a Special SMHS Assembly meeting to elect an SMHS representative to the Presidential Consultation Search Committee (the SPHHS held its own faculty meeting).

Preliminary Discussion of Departmental Review Policy (see IV.C. below): Dr. Wasserman asked Dr. Richardson where the new departmental review policy came from. Dr. Richardson explained that during the review of Anatomy several months ago, the different components that comprise the existing policy were found to be confusing and inconsistent, and the Executive Committee recommended review and clarification of the policy. Dr. Scott added that areas that were not clear included whether it was a two-step or a three-step process, and whether University representatives were allowed to participate in the external review process, or were all external reviewers were required to be external. He stated that he had asked the Executive Committee to clarify what they really wanted in the process, bearing in mind that the original documents predated the SPHHS and the MFA incorporation, and recommending increased flexibility to accommodate differing basic science, MFA, and SPHHS needs. He noted that a subcommittee worked on the document for several sessions, and the Executive Committee in turn reviewed and modified it over the course of two or three meetings; the proposed process involves two steps, internal and external review, and review every seven years, and it provides uniform language and flexibility.

Dr. Wasserman asked whether the Executive Committee had sent the policy to Chairs before passing on it, and whether it has a policy to do so. Dr. Richardson replied that he does not know of such a policy. Dr. Wasserman expressed the view that the proposed policy is not a working document and does not provide the flexibility needed. Dr. Scott pointed out that it was discussed at the February 1 Senate meeting (Item VI. A.), with the anticipation that it would be brought to the Senate in May. Dr. Simon asked that the chairs be given more time to review the document. The remainder of the discussion was deferred to its scheduled place on the agenda, Item IVC.

IV. Action Items

A. Committee on Medical Student Evaluation: A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to approve the nomination of Dr. M. Borum (Med.) to this committee.

B. Approval of granting of degrees in the School of Public Health and Health Services, in the Health Sciences, and for the Doctor of Medicine, for students graduating in May 2006: Lists of students who had applied for graduation in the Health Sciences and the SPHHS were provided at the start of the meeting; lists of Doctor of Medicine candidates arrived later. For the SPHHS, on behalf of Dean Katz, Dean Reum read aloud a formal resolution requesting that degrees be awarded to candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Health Services Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Health Policy, Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Doctor of Public Health, provided that all candidates have fully met or will meet the School’s and University’s requirements for graduation by May 19, 2006. A motion to approve the SPHHS student lists as presented was made, seconded, and passed. Dr. Silver then asked the Senate’s approval of candidates for degrees in Associate in Science, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Master of Science in Health Sciences, and Master of Science in Nursing, for May. A motion to grant approval was made, seconded, and passed. Dr. Scott asked that approval of Doctor of Medicine candidates be granted pending the lists’ arrival. Approval was moved, seconded, and passed. The list of Doctor of Medicine candidates arrived later in the meeting and will be mailed to all Senators.

C. Resolution on Departmental Review: Continuing the preliminary discussion from Item III, above, Dr. Scott stressed the importance of the document but stated that if further input is needed, the opportunity will be provided. However, he asked the Senate’s permission to continue with the Anatomy Review because the initial internal review was becoming dated.

Dr. Wasserman stated his objections to the proposed process: (1) It excludes junior faculty from the internal review; (2) It requires the chair of the external review to be outside the University, which he stated is unworkable for clinical departments. He expressed the view that additional flexibility is required for differing clinical, basic science, and public health needs.

A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. Dr. Akman requested additional opportunity for the chairs to discuss the document. A motion to postpone was made and seconded, Dr. Akman requesting that the draft be re-distributed to chairs and senators for review and input for the September meeting. Dr. Kennedy asked to amend the motion not to stipulate September, and Dr. Akman accepted the amendment.

Dr. Richardson cautioned that the document has to comply with national norms and standards. Dr. Scott emphasized that both had been discussed before its approval by the Executive Committee. He stated that requiring senior level people on the internal review had come from the original document; it was thought that a faculty member needed to be here some period of time to have the necessary insight to review the department. Concerning the requirement that the chair of the external review committee be an outside reviewer, he clarified that many on the subcommittee and on the Executive Committee had felt that all external reviewers should be external to the University; having only the chair external was a compromise. Dr. Lipson [member of the subcommittee] agreed. Dr. Scott added that the proposed document was intensively discussed by both the Subcommittee and Executive Committee, who had decided in its favor.

Dr. Wasserman asked to amend the motion to postpone by allowing the review of Anatomy to continue. Dr. Akman accepted the amendment. The motion as modified was to postpone the vote on the document, to re-distribute the document to Chairs and Senators for additional review and input, and to allow the Anatomy Review to continue. The motion was passed.

V. Information Items

A. Search Reports

1. Dermatology: For Dr. El-Bayoumi, Dr. Simon reported that the committee is interviewing two candidates.

2. Exercise Science and Prevention and Community Health: Reporting for Drs. Battle and Cleary, Dr. Reum stated that candidates continue to be interviewed for Exercise Science, and Prevention and Community Health has posted ads and is receiving CV’s.

B. University Presidential Search: Dr. Simon reported that the SMHS and SPHHS each elected a representative to the consultative committee for the presidential search; the Consultative Committee in turn needs to be approved by the University Assembly at its meeting on Monday, and a quorum of 125 is required. He added that if approved, the Consultative Committee meets and votes as to which three representatives will be on the search committee. (See also Item VII below.)

VI. Elections Committee Report: Deferred in Dr. Goldstein’s absence.

VII. Standing Committee Annual Reports: A packet of those standing committee annual reports which had been made available for distribution was provided at the start of the meeting.

A. SMHS APT: Dr. Kennedy reported that the committee received 18 requests for promotion of which two were with tenure; of these, there were 16 approvals, and two were denied; there was also one deferral, and two more are pending.

B. SPHHS APT: For Dr. El-Mohandes, Dr. Reum reported that 5 appointments were considered, and 5 approved, 4 at the level of Professor, 1 at the level of Associate Professor; 2 promotions were considered, of which 1 was approved and 1 denied; 1 at the level of Associate Professor, 1 at the level of Professor; and no tenure decisions were considered this year.

C. Health Sciences: Mr. McGraw reported that the committee met monthly from July 2005 to date, and its significant accomplishments included review and endorsement of the Emergency Medical Scribe course, a graduate Spirituality in Medicine certificate program, a graduate EMS Management program, an undergraduate secondary field of studies curriculum in Emergency Health Services, and several new graduate and undergraduate courses.

D. Faculty Support: Dr. Lipson reported that work continued from last year, with particular emphasis on development of a questionnaire to circulate to faculty. He stated that the committee had looked at sample questionnaires from strong institutions, some of them running to 80-90 pages, and developed a shorter list of questions which they brought to the Deans. He stated that they were receptive but ultimately asked that the project be put on hold for 6-12 months. He expressed the hope that when instituted, the questionnaire may serve as a resource for future subjects of study and recommendation by this committee.

Dr. Scott explained that the requested delay is due to other questionnaires currently required of faculty by the joint processes of Strategic Planning and the upcoming LCME.

E. Research: Dr. Hu reported that a focus of the committee is to develop a “culture of research” among faculty, residents, and students, and one way of doing this is through Research Day. She described participation for this year’s event (March 31) as “phenomenal,” with 231 abstracts received and about 220 presented as talks or posters. She noted that next year, the committee hopes to consolidate the poster sessions in two large rooms at the Marvin Center.

Dr. Hu stated that the committee’s two main objectives this year were (1) to focus attention on institutional and collaborative funding opportunities to advance cross- or interdisciplinary research, and (2) to develop strategies/initiatives to help investigators submit more successful grant applications. To promote interdisciplinary research, she reported the formation of focus groups and point persons in several areas; directing of faculty to the NIH Roadmap Initiatives within their respective research areas, so that proposals can be tailored to high-priority funding areas; and dissemination and discussion of information on two new NIH initiatives: Exploratory Centers for Interdisciplinary Research, and Planning Grants for Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA). To help PI’s submit more successful grant applications, she reviewed several ideas discussed by the committee: workshops by successful grantees; talks by representatives of granting agencies; “mentoring” by successful grantees on submitting successful grant applications; mechanisms for identifying appropriate funding sources for different areas; and an effort led by Dr. Kashanchi to determine what levels of assistance PI’s need and the best mechanisms to address these needs.

Dr. Wasserman praised Research Day as “exceptional,” and suggested that the Senate record its appreciation of Dr. Hu’s efforts. The assembled responded with applause.

VIII. Report on University Senate Activity: Dr. Biles reported on the SPHHS elections for a representative to the Presidential Search Consultative Committees. He stated that four persons were considered, and that Professor Rosenbaum was selected as representative. (See Item V.B. above.)

IX. Administrative Announcements

A. Provost and Vice President’s Report: Reporting for Dr. Williams, Dr. Scott thanked faculty who came to the town meetings for the Strategic Plan. He expressed the hope that the Strategic Plan, including resource planning, will be presented to the Board of Trustees for its approval in May. In other areas, he reported that variances are all filed for Lot 54, with the possibility of a decision by December. He announced the University Commencement on May 21 at 10:00 a.m. on the Mall, honorary degrees to be presented to former President George Bush and Mrs. Bush, and the Medical School graduation at 2:00 p.m. on May 21 in Lisner. To Dr. Richardson, he replied that he does not know of any developments regarding proposed tenants for Lot 54.

B. SPHHS: For Dean Katz, Dr. Reum reported that the faculty met on April 21 and selected Professor Rosenbaum to represent the School on the Presidential Search Consultation Committee. He stated that enrollment is on target, searches in Health Services Management and Leadership and Prevention and Community Health are going well, and preparations are under way for the SPHHS graduation ceremony on May 20.

C. SMHS: Dr. Scott reported a highly successful Match for both the institution and the class. He further reported that the entering class will be increased from 165 to 175: the AAMC mandate is to increase by 30%, and we had to justify the lesser percentage in writing.

Dr. Akman asked that administration acknowledge that the increased class size means additional work for faculty in both teaching and administration, and requires additional resources, requiring real planning; a stressor is associated with bigger classes. Dr. Scott agreed and assured him that advance planning is taking place.

D. Health Sciences: Reporting for Dr. Johnson, Dr. Silver first introduced Dr. Ellen Dawson, Chair of Nursing Education, who, acknowledging Dr. Johnson’s vision and Dr. Scott’s support, announced that the Nursing Education Programs have been granted a full 5-year accreditation. The assembled responded with applause. She announced that a Master of Science in Health Sciences in Emergency Services Management was approved by the curriculum committee and by the University. She also reported that Mr. H. Straker (P.A. Program) brought students to New Orleans to help out over spring break; and that Dr. Alexander and Councilmember Catania are working on AHEC doing a feasibility study for a charter school for health professions.

E. Research: Dr. Hirshfield opened by thanking Drs. Berg and Hu for their leadership of the Committee on Research. She reported that at a recent meeting of graduate research deans, it was noted that the prognosis for federal funding is not good. However, she added that every institution is feeling the pinch, and all are addressing problems by a strategic redirection of internal resources. She also stressed that competitive renewals of federally funded grants have a much greater success rate, and faculty should be encouraged to keep submitting grants as this increases the likelihood of success. She also reported good news from NIH: (1) Priority scores for our investigators, showing that we have outstanding scientists here; and (2) a few of our grant applications in which the nature of the research, or the track record of the investigator, are so compelling that NIH is pulling them up for funding. She stressed that aligning with NIH priorities will be helpful, and a number of very strong investigators will help others make use of their skills.

Dr. Hirshfield announced two new hires: Ms. Leody Bojanowski, Office of Human Research, and Ms. Jennifer Meininger, Project Manager who will assist in grants.

X. Brief Statements: None

XI. The meeting adjourned at 5:55.