II. The minutes of September 6, 2006, were approved as distributed.

III. Executive Committee Report: A list of Executive Committee activity since the last meeting was provided with the agenda. Professor Teitelbaum reviewed it, highlighting approval of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice for Senate review, and receipt of the Anatomy External Review.

IV. Departmental Reviews Report: Professor Teitelbaum explained that Dr. Scott’s agenda items are being brought forward so he may leave for a second meeting. Dr. Scott had distributed the Anatomy External Review Report at the meeting. He explained that it has been provided to the Anatomy faculty and shared with the Executive Committee, and will serve as the starting point for the new Chair search. He added that departmental reviews in Surgery and Biochemistry have been initiated.

IV. School of Medicine and Health Sciences [SMHS] and Vice President’s Reports: Dr. Scott reported that the SMHS is very busy. He stated that the AAMC meetings are still in process, and a report will be given next time. He noted that the tone was positive, but shadowed by reduced fundings from NIH, and many new regulations for research and clinical care.

V. Action Items

A. Granting of Degrees: Lists of candidates for degrees in the School of Public Health and Health Services [SPHHS] and in the Health Sciences were provided at the meeting. For Dean Katz, Dr. Reum asked the Senate’s approval for granting of the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology, Master of Health Services Administration, Master of Science in Exercise Science, and Master of Public Health, for the students listed. A motion to approve was made, seconded, and passed. Dean Johnson requested the Senate’s approval of students who applied for degrees of Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, and Master of Science in Health Sciences, as listed in the handout. Approval was moved, seconded, and passed.

B. Standing Committee Changes: To replace outgoing members, the Senate elected Dr. J. Hawdon (Micro/TM/Im) to the Educational Resources Committee, Dr. M. Plack (HCS) to the Research Committee, and Dr. G. Hafner (LS-Surg) to the Committee on Undergraduate Medical Curricula.

C. Resolution to Approve a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP): A resolution and proposal had been distributed by email, and by hard-copy to Senators, and were provided in hard copy at the meeting. Dean Johnson noted that the proposal has been approved by the Health Sciences Curriculum Committee and the Executive Committee. Dr. Dawson, Chair of the Department of Nursing Education, explained that currently her department offers the Master’s of Science in Nursing; the proposal is in response to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s endorsement of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Position Statement of October 2004, which calls for moving the level of preparation necessary for advanced practice nursing from the master’s to the doctoral level by 2015. She stated that the proposed program builds on the current Master’s program, and fills a unique niche in that it will be provided through distance education with periodic campus visits. She added that GW will be the first in the DC area to offer it. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adopt the program

D. Consideration of Mail Ballot for two Items from the September 21 Assembly: Professor Teitelbaum explained that two items considered by the September 21 Assembly could not be acted upon because of the lack of the required quorum of 100, and would be considered for a mail ballot today: to abolish the Expedited Search Committee, and to rotate the Executive Committee Chair position annually between the two Schools. Dr. Simon asked to consider the two matters separately. He stated that some feel there is no reason to abolish the Expedited Search Committee. He recommended discussion of differing views, which cannot be accomplished by a mail ballot, and proposed tabling this item to the next Assembly. Dr. Akman supported Dr. Simon, stating that he was not aware of why there is an interest in abolishing it.

Dr. Scott explained that this committee was made a standing committee during a period of financial constraints, when many expedited searches were taking place, but hasn’t been used for awhile. He clarified that an expedited search can still be done with an ad hoc committee made up for the particular search.

Dr. Simon again stressed that the matter merits open discussion at the Faculty Assembly.

Dr. Wasserman perceived many reasons to have the committee. He stated that to assemble an ad hoc committee takes time; some upcoming clinical chair searches may require the Expedited Search Committee; and there is nothing wrong in having it available. He also agreed with Dr. Simon that a discussion is needed at the Assembly.

A motion to table the matter of the Expedited Search Committee to the next Assembly meeting was made, seconded, and passed.

A motion to authorize and order a mail ballot concerning the rotation of Chairs of the Executive Committee was then made, seconded, and passed.

VI. Information Items

A. Search Reports

Dermatology: Dr. Simon reported that the search continues.

Exercise Science: Dr. Battle reported that the Dean is in final discussions and negotiations with a candidate, and results are anticipated in two weeks.

Prevention and Community Health: Dr. Cleary sent a written report which Professor Teitelbaum read aloud: “Since June the search committee for Chair of the Department of Prevention and Community Health, and departmental faculty, have interviewed four candidates for the position. The committee recommended three of these candidates to Dean Katz to be invited for second-round interviews. The scheduling of these interviews is being handled by the Dean’s Office.”

B. Presidential Search: Dr. Simon reported that the search committee has reviewed CV’s, and will be holding first-round interviews soon. He stated that the list includes some very good candidates.

VIII. SMHS Student Evaluation Committee Annual Report 2005-06: The report was provided at the start of the meeting. Dr. Akman invited questions. To Dr. Wasserman, he replied that to have fifteen MS1 cases reviewed was not unusual.

IX. University Senate Report: After noting that the Senate did not meet in October, Dr. Simon reported that the big issue is the 4 x 4 curriculum proposal, which is of great concern to University faculty and affects the SMHS indirectly. To Professor Teitelbaum, he replied that the University Senate Executive Committee did not appear to be in favor of it, and that he thought the University Senate was not in favor of it; but he does not know the views of the faculty in general. He explained that the four classes would meet only three times a week, with the forth hour spent in “greater engagement” of the students in places like the library. He noted an impression held by many that the teaching curriculum would not be changed that much except to be called a 4 x 4 curriculum. He explained that the driving force behind the proposal is to engage students more deeply in the subject matter which might reduce the number of excellent students that transfer out of GW; to reduce classroom shortages; and to achieve a reduction in faculty which would lower the teaching budget. However, he pointed out that if the part-time faculty succeed in their effort to form a union, this would raise their salaries and in turn raise the cost of faculty.

X. Administrative Announcements

A. SPHHS: Professor Teitelbaum announced the following two events: Public Health Grand Rounds by Dr. Bernard Goldstein, Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, on November 14, 12:00 noon, Ross 117; and the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, this weekend in Boston, with the SPHHS reception on Monday from 6:00-8:00.

B. Health Sciences: Dean Johnson reported “nothing major” except the passage of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice at this meeting.

C. Research: Dr. Hirshfield reported that Mr. Allan Dye of Cornell is new Director of Lab Safety; Dr. Hawley is Chair of Radiation Safety, and Dr. Moody Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee. She added that the goal is to simplify and streamline all processes regarding radiation safety and lab safety. She announced extremely high scores on NIH applications by Drs. Mak and Weglicki (Biochemistry), and Drs. Reiss and Niederhiser (Psychiatry). Lastly, she encouraged faculty attendance at the new Research Synergies Seminars being held every two weeks in specific thematic areas; the next session, on November 8, is on organ systems.

XI. Brief Statements: None.

XII. The meeting adjourned at 5:30.