Message Archive
April 13, 2005
Plan for Bylaws Implementation and Appointment of Associate Dean
for Faculty Affairs
As you know, the revision of the Bylaws of the University of
Connecticut School of Medicine (SOM) were completed in January 2005 and,
by March 1, 2005, were approved by the Dean’s Advisory Committee
(unanimously), the SOM Council (77% approval), the voting faculty of the
SOM (84% approval), and the Board of Directors of the University of
Connecticut Health Center (unanimously).
I have asked the members of the Guidelines Revision Committee as well
as the members of the Steering Committee of Council to serve on the
Bylaws Implementation Committee, chaired by Mary Casey Jacob. This
committee has a significant amount of important work to do, since the
Bylaws require significant shifts in the “governance culture” for both
faculty and administration. They require that faculty and administration
work together to develop policies and plans and solve problems. They
require that the various domains (Education, Clinical Affairs, Research
and Public Issues) integrate their policies and plans with one another.
They emphasize smaller committees than in the past, but much greater
communication with faculty. They ask for accountability including
regular departmental and center reviews with term limits (renewable) on
the appointment of department chairs and center directors
Implementation tasks to accomplish include:
- Assisting faculty to understand the coming changes and
consider personal participation;
- Developing the nomination processes;
- Holding elections; and
- Transitioning from current governance structures to new ones.
Our timeline is as follows:
- All transition planning to be completed by June 2005.
- All parts of the Bylaws and the appendices not requiring elections go
into effect July 1, 2005.
- “Cultural shift” activities to be completed by September 2005.
- Nominations completed by October 2005.
- Elections in November 2005.
- Implementation in December 2005, including the dissolution of the
Dean’s Advisory Committee and the School of Medicine Council.
I take this opportunity to again thank all those who have worked so
constructively on this revision of the Bylaws of the School of Medicine.
Your accomplishment is very important not only now but also for many
students and faculty in years to come. I further thank Mary Casey Jacob
for her leadership of this effort. It was exemplary. In recognition of
that, effective immediately, Dr. Jacob is appointed Associate Dean for
Faculty Affairs. The relevant job description is attached. Please join
me in congratulating Mary Casey.
Finally, just as the Guidelines Revision Committee kept you informed
as their work progressed, the Bylaws Implementation Committee will also
regularly inform you regarding progress. Please join with the Bylaws
Implementation Committee to facilitate the transition, and, thereby,
make governance here at the Health Center a more collaborative process.
Duties and Responsibilities – Associate Dean
for Faculty Affairs (PDF)
Peter J. Deckers, M.D.
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, UConn School of Medicine |
