I. Dr. Williams called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Present: Vice President Williams, Drs. Ayas, Barbour, Barnett, Brindle, Chiaramello, Geist, Golder, Goldstein, Hales, Hu, Knoll, Lee, Lipson, Markus, Mr. McGraw, McGraw, Drs. Mendelowitz, Noben-Trauth, Noonan, Orenstein, Petinaux, Simmens, Mr. Teitelbaum, Drs. Turley, Walia; Dean Reum; Dr. Gallo (Parliamentarian). Absent: Drs. Abrams, Akman, Aly, Brody, Mr. Cawley, Drs. Cohen, Collins, D’Angelo, Gaba, Guagliardo, Guritzky, Haider, Hawdon, Hotez, Jones, Katz, Latham, Little, Lucas, Manner, McCaffrey, Michaels, Miller, Ottolini, Patel, Pearl, Phillips, Pintz, Rosenberg, Sadeghi, Siegel, Venbrux, Verme, Vyas; Dr. Scott, Dr. Hirshfield, Dr. Tanna, Ms. Rice, Ms. Popovici; Parliamentarian Lossing.

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

III. Executive Committee Report: A summary of actions was distributed with the agenda. Professor Teitelbaum highlighted a proposed revision to the grading system on today’s Senate agenda, with corresponding changes to the Regulations for M.D. Candidates; proposed revisions to Technical Standards; formation of a search committee in Pathology; a request that the Expedited Search Committee review an internal candidate for the Chair of Anatomy; the formation of an ad hoc committee under Dr. Hirshfield to review the status of part-time clinical faculty; and a decision by the Executive Committee to leave the proposed abolishment of the Expedited Search Committee on the Assembly agenda notwithstanding that the committee is now in use.

Dr. Orenstein corrected an error on the Actions list as follows: the Expedited Search Committee was asked to review an internal candidate for Pathology Anatomy.

IV. Action Items

A. Standing Committee Changes: A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the following nominations en bloc: C. Sonosky (PT-HP) to Educational Resources; B. Biles (HP) and N. Thompson (PT-HSML) to Elections, G. Cohen (HCS), R. Brem (Rad), and J. Cawley (Prev/Comm) to Expedited Searches; J. Melson (HCS) to Health Sciences Curricula; and G. Hafner (LS-Surg) to Research.

B. Change High Pass to an Official Grade for Years 3 and 4: Dr. Geist, Chair of the Committee on Undergraduate Medical Curricula [CUMC], explained that the proposal is to make the High Pass grade an official part of the transcript for Years 3 and 4. He explained that currently, the grade is used only in the Dean’s letter and not the transcript, and a concern among students has been that the Dean’s letter may not arrive in time for the higher grade to be credited. He stated that a poll of students was taken, which showed 74.6% of those responding from the Class of 2007, and 68.8% of the Class of 2008, in favor of the change. He added that the proposal subsequently was approved by the CUMC and the Executive Committee. He also read out wording changes to the Regulations for M.D. Candidates, Item B.3, p. 28 in the Bulletin, to correspond with this change.

Ms. Ayas asked whether the "High Pass" grade is consistent with the grading systems of other medical schools. The answer was that it is.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to approve making High Pass an official part of the transcript for Grades 3 and 4, and to approve corresponding wording changes to Item B.3 of the Regulations for M.D. Candidates.

C. Revised Technical Standards: Postponed in the absence of Dr. Scott and Dr. Schroth.

V. Information Items

A. Search Reports

1. Dermatology: Dr. Simon stated that he had no further update at this point.
2. Pathology: Dr. Williams read aloud a report from Dr. Shesser: “The search committee has met and has been charged. Ads have been placed, and the committee will start reviewing responses soon.”
3. Exercise Science: Dr. Battle reported that the committee is interviewing two candidates.
4. Prevention and Community Health: Dr. Reum announced that the search has been completed with the selection of Dr. Ayman El-Mohandes as Chair.

B. Presidential Search, Closing Comments: Dr. Simon reported that Dr. Knapp has accepted the post of President, to start August 1, and is on campus one to two days a week. Dr. Williams noted that Dr. Knapp has been meeting with major donors and members of the Board of Trustees, and he assured the assembled of Dr. Knapp’s knowledge and support of the Medical Center.

C. Departmental Reviews Report: Postponed in Dr. Scott’s Absence.

D. Mail Ballot on Executive Committee Chair: Professor Teitelbaum reported that the mail ballot proposing that the Executive Committee Chair be rotated annually between the two schools, and the Chair and Vice Chair always represent the two schools, was passed by 236 in favor, 37 opposed, and one abstaining.

E. Composition of Expedited Search Committee: Professor Teitelbaum explained that a proposal to abolish this committee has been on the agendas of the Senate and the Assembly, and was on the agenda for the next Assembly. He added that because the committee was subsequently called into use, the question arose as to whether to keep the item on the Assembly agenda; on a motion by Dr. D’Angelo, the decision was to leave it. He added that following a discussion of the committee’s composition, Dr. D’Angelo then moved to change the membership to three members, rotating off by year, plus three additional members appointed by the Executive Committee for a particular search, for a total of six a year; the motion was seconded and passed. Dr. Williams explained that this proposal will be brought to the Assembly for a vote.

VI. Report on University Senate: Dr. Biles reported on two issues: (1) The University budget, which currently shows a small surplus but anticipates a shortfall of $3.6M; (2) The proposed 4x4 curriculum (four courses of four hours instead of the current five courses of three hours). He observed that Senators from Columbian College have substantial concerns, and the question has been raised as to whether so major a change should be implemented before the new president arrives. Dr. Simon added that Dr. Knapp requested greater input or at least knowledge of the subject. Dr. Williams added that Dr. Knapp is discussing it with Dr. Lehman. Dr. Biles stated that while his sense is that the senior faculty of the major undergraduate schools are not in favor, he does not know which way it will go.

VII. Administrative Announcements

A. Provost and Vice President’s Report: Dr. Williams reported that the Board of Trustees is here this week. He stated that the Committee on Finance and Audit reviewed early budgets which will be voted on in May. He stated that the Medical Center is in very good shape financially, and anticipated a good year next year; it is investing in its own programs, and looking at ventures to bring in additional revenue so it is not as tuition-dependent. He described the Medical Center Committee as a supportive, interested group, adding that more medical and health people are being sought for the Board. For the Full Board meeting on Friday, he anticipated no controversial issues. He announced that in May, the Honorable Charles Manatt will step down as Chairman of the Board, and will be succeeded by Mr. Russell Ramsey.

Noting that the University Campus Plan up for renewal is a twenty-year plan, Dr. Williams explained that because the University ran out of space for building, they asked the Zoning Commission for permission to increase density on the Old Hospital Site by increasing height, which would provide an additional 2M square feet. He expressed the hope that the complicated process is near an end. He stated that on February 5, the Zoning Commission divided the Campus Plan into two parts: (1) “Plan Unit Development [PUD],” which it approved for consideration by the National Capital Planning Commission; and (2) Square 54. He expressed the hopes of final action by the end of May.

Dr. Knoll described both Medical Center and Hospital as successful, but asked where the new Campus Plan allows them to expand. Dr. Williams affirmed that Warwick is one option. Dr. Knoll also expressed concern at a possible loss of the parking garage adjacent to the hospital, which was indicated at a recent APA meeting. Dr. Williams explained that the presentation at that meeting was premature, and the numbers were wrong. He assured Dr. Knoll that if the garage is moved, it would not be for five years, and 2,000 places would be planned to replace it.

In international activities, Dr. Williams reported an MOU between the SPHHS and Eritrea for work in health policy; discussions for a medical partnership in Rwanda; and a potential for a contract with Saudi Arabia. He noted that 30%-40% of students in both Schools currently enjoy an international experience, and the hope is to increase this number. Lastly, he reported that Sarah Swinehart, Strategic Planning Specialist, has been appointed director of implementation for the Strategic Plan.

B. SPHHS: For Dean Katz, Dean Reum reported on the success of Public Health Grand Grounds, noting a recent hosting of a Harvard faculty member who attracted as many attendees from the SMHS as from the SPHHS. He added that future speakers include former HHS Secretary Califano, and the five living former CDC directors. In other areas, he announced an award by Pfizer to the SPHHS for a Rapid Response Initiative, adding that their first response, on HIV, has already taken place. He reported that the School’s accreditation self-study report is due in May. Lastly, he complemented Professor Teitelbaum on being a distinguished “first SPHHS Chair” of the Executive Committee.

C. Health Sciences: Dean Johnson reported that 130 students were admitted this fall. She noted that the Doctor of Nursing Practice, approved here, will go to the Academic Committee of the Board of Trustees Thursday. She stated that the new Certificate in Spirituality program already has nearly 30 students. She reported a Retreat on Aging at the Medical Center, which she expressed the hope of expanding to the University. In international work, she reported that Drs. Silver and Bocchino are in South Africa for a professional development program, supported by a grant, to increase the research capacity there.

D. Research: Dr. Hirshfield reported that her office is following the Strategic Plan regarding multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary activities. She announced Research Day Monday, March 16, crediting the diligent work of the Committee on Research. She announced two speakers: Dr. Derek Yach, Director of Global Health, Rockefeller Foundation, and Dr. Donald Vereen, Jr., Special Assistant to the Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH. Describing a record number of abstracts, she encouraged faculty interested in serving as judges to contact her.

Dr. Hirshfield announced preparation of a full CTSA application, following the award of a planning grant.. She stated that it will be called the Washington Regional Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and will involve GW, Children’s, Howard, Georgetown, University of Maryland at College Park, MedStar, and Virginia Tech. She described it as a tremendous opportunity for a DC-wide consortium, in which NIH is very interested. In other areas, she reported an AIDS Institute Retreat focused on how to increase funding, adding that her office will provide a program coordinator for the Institute. She reported positive changes in research compliance and services, including the Animal Care Facility and its functioning, and in corporate and clinical trials activities, and she invited feedback on these changes.

E. Brief Statements: None

F. The meeting adjourned at 5:45.