AHC FCC Meeting

Thursday, February 5, 2009

10:00 ~ 11:30 a.m.

Children’s Rehab Center, Room 406

These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a committee meeting of the University of Minnesota Senate or Twin Cities Campus Delegation; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes represents the views of, nor are they binding on, the Senate or Delegation, the Administration, or the Board of Regents.

Present: Brian Isetts (chair), Colin Campbell, Susan Berry, Peter Davies, Vernon Weckwerth, Cheryl Robertson, Steve Downing

Regrets: Paul Olin

Revisiting the 2008-09 AHC-FCC Strategic Direction of, “Establishing Trust and Transparency”

As the new structure begins to unfold at the University, Chair Isetts noted that the restructuring plan for the AHC, and the decisions made to implement it, may not be as transparent as the AHC-FCC had envisioned in this year’s Strategic Direction. He said that currently it seems the decision-making at the University is getting away from consultative decision-making, which is a concern. Professor Berry said that there have been many comments regarding the shifts in authority, which are making many people unhappy. One of the main concerns in combining the dean position with the vice president position at the Medical School, is that one person can’t be expected to do both jobs effectively. Isetts said that he wanted to see the data supporting the restructuring plan. He thinks the AHC-FCC should know how the decisions were made. Berry suggested developing a set of questions derived from staff and faculty pertaining to the re-structuring plan for President Bruininks. The AHC-FCC has a responsibility to colleagues and the University community to let them know where the money is going to be spent. Isetts said that he would follow-up with Katie Stuckert, associate to Office of the President, and work with her to gain more information on how budget and structure decisions were reached. Isetts said he also wants to know effects of the decisions being made on reputational capital. He noted that it has been reported that the Medical School has witnessed a decline in reputational capital in the past and does not want to see it reoccur.

State of the AHC Address & AHC Faculty Assembly

Isetts informed members that the State of the AHC Address will be held on February 19, 2009, beginning at 2:30 p.m. with an AHC Year in Review on the 4^th floor of the Mayo Auditorium. He will be using a few slides that were used at last fall’s faculty forum to explain the role and accomplishments of the AHC-FCC. Dr. Cerra’s speech begins at 3:00 p.m. and will last for approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Faculty Assembly and Town Hall meeting. The Third Thursday program will start at 4:30 p.m. and may be held in the 4^th floor foyer of the Mayo Auditorium, but that still needs to be confirmed.

Members discussed the idea of gathering questions from the Medical School faculty and staff to ask Dr. Cerra during his speech. Professor Berry suggested attaining questions from faculty and staff in advance to put together the most asked questions prior to the event. Members thought it may give insight to the audience that will be attending should they get a large and quick response from faculty and staff. The committee discussed the best way to gather questions quickly and agreed upon use of an on-line survey instrument (survey monkey). Isetts said answers to these questions could be provided by Dr. Cerra at the Assembly, followed by responses to written questions posed by the audience in attendance, and then responses to open forum questions. Isetts said that he would send out two e-mail notifications to encourage people to submit their questions on-line in advance of the Assembly.

Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) Proposal

Questions continue to circulate around the HCSP proposal on campus. Many people question its benefits, usefulness and whether the funds will remain safe throughout time. Isetts wants to help Committee members provide colleagues with answers. Berry and Weckwerth agree that the plan may be very useful given the continued rising costs of health care. Professor Robertson questioned its usefulness for healthy people. Berry pointed out that the money could be used for any purchase pertaining to health care, including over-the-counter items, however there are questions about whether or not money in an individual’s HCSP could be invested in University-sponsored investment options. Due to tax regulations in the plan, the HCSP cannot be offered on an individual basis, but must be provided to all individuals in a group. Professor Campbell asked what happens to the money if the recipient dies and what are the penalties if there is a need to access the money for other purposes. Professor Downing said he would like to see more information on the HCSP. Berry said there is some information about it on a state employees website and she would try to find the URL and pass it on. Isetts thinks the University community may support the HCSP, but is sure they would want and need more information about it to answer their questions before supporting it.

Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Chair Isetts thanked committee members on their work and efforts towards the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning. The applications have been forwarded to the external review committee for further review. The AHC-FCC screening reviews for the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Health Research will be due in May of this year.

Chair Isetts adjourned the meeting at 11:15.

Lisa Towry

University Senate Office