DRAFT REPORT -- June 3, 1997
Note Added August 20, 1997: This report was tabled at the
August 5, 1997 meeting of the MFA because some of the concerns that had
led to the report were addressed by new policy changes regarding faculty
appointments that were issued by Leslie Bernstein, Senior Associate Dean,
in a memo dated July 7, 1997.
MFA EXECUTIVE BOARD REVIEW OF
RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE
APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE
Initial concerns (as reported by MFA representative on the committee):
- Review of faculty appointees often occurs long after their start of
employment.
- There is no verification that positions being filled have had the Dean's
prior approval as required under the stated policy of a hiring freeze.
Letters were sent to John Peters, Committee Chair, and Leslie Bernstein,
Senior Associate Dean, requesting information on rules and procedures.
Their responses indicated that:
- The committee has authority to disapprove appointments even if an individual
has already started work, and the committee "does not totally control
the process."
- The Dean must have signed an FR-1 form indicating approval for each
position even though the committee does not actually see the form.
- The rules and procedures followed are those of the USC Faculty Handbook
and are summarized in a one-page document developed by the committee (copy
provided).
Self-study reports for the reaccreditation site visit state that the
Appointments and Promotions Committee also uses:
After considering the above information, the MFA Executive Board makes
the following recommendations:
- Documents 1 and 2 above should be reviewed and revised as appropriate.
- Documents 1 and 2 in their revised forms should be approved by the
MFA, the FEC, the faculty, and the Dean.
- The approved documents should be submitted to the Provost for University
approval.
- The documents should be made available to all School of Medicine faculty
and administrators and followed by all involved.