Printer Friendly Format

The Faculty Senate met on Dec. 8. Below are bullets from the meeting. The complete minutes of the December meeting, as well as those from previous meetings, can be found at the link below: www.uthscsa.edu/facultygovt/minutes

University Updates: Steven Wartman, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for academic and health affairs and dean, School of Medicine

Recent appointments: CTRC President/CEO - Karen Fields, M.D. from the Moffett Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa; Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs/UPG Chief of Medical Staff - Dr. Gabriel Martyak has accepted the position and will begin in February 2005.

In addition to recruitment activities intended to fill various leadership positions in departments around campus, ongoing searches are underway for SACI Director; Associate Dean for Student Affairs of the School of Medicine; Director, School of Medicine Teaching Academy; Assistant Regional Dean for Medical Education and Assistant Regional Dean for Research at the RAHC; Associate Dean for Students of the School of Nursing.

Honors to the Library: The Institute of Museum and Library Services, announced the recipients of the 2004 National Awards for Museum and Library Service. The Health Science Center RAHC Library received one of the nation’s highest honors for extraordinary public service provided by libraries and museums.

Health Science Center Wide Teaching Center: A committee co-chaired by Dr. Larry Barnes and Dr. Kathleen Stevens will be submitting recommendations in early 2005.

Reminder to International Visitors: It is very important that all International Visitors keep in close touch with the Office of International Services (OIS) in order that SEVIS registration procedures can be completed on time.

Laredo Extension Campus Strategic Planning is underway.

UTHSCSA Compact: Progress reports are due soon to the UT System.

Health Science Center Library Updates: Mary Moore, Ph.D., Director of Libraries

Dr. Moore indicated her appreciation for the support that the Faculty Senate provided during her negotiations for acquiring an increased student library fee to help fund the library.

Dr. Moore updated the Faculty Senate on the state of the library. Although the overall health of the library remains steady, we are faced with certain challenges in the upcoming years, mainly financial, for which careful planning is necessary. Traditional sources of income continue to decline, with no steadily increasing alternative income sources to replace them. We are a library in transition that must anticipate more changes in order to address our challenges and opportunities.

Report from the Library Committee

Dr. William Phillips, Chair, institutional Library Committee discussed the request submitted from Library Committee to the President’s Office for increased student library fees from $25 to $100 per semester.

Dr. Phillips expressed his appreciation for the healthy relationship between the Library Committee and the Administration.

In light of recommendations made by the NIH, plans are being made for a library-hosted symposium to discuss the pros and cons of open access publishing and its impact on promotion and tenure.

Report on December Meeting of the Faculty Advisory Council

Dr. Krolick reported on The University of Texas-System Faculty Advisory Council meeting in Austin December 2-3, 2004. Drs. Krolick, Brackley and Norling attended.

Report from the Promotion and Tenure Committee

Dr. David Espino, Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, reported that this year’s evaluation of the 60-70 promotions packets is now underway. Limited integration of the new eCVs is expected this year (traditional CVs are still being accepted); next year, use of the eCV will be required by all faculty seeking promotion.

Dr. Tod Sloan, Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Promotion and Tenure told the Senate that the Ad Hoc Committee’s Report indicates that, in general, the promotion and tenure process is healthy and should not be changed in any major way. This report has been sent to the President and Deans who are currently developing approaches to address the committee’s recommendations.