Brian Barbara

The "Be Well: Student Success and Wellness" Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center -- New Orleans aims to enhance student success and wellness across the institution over a five-year period. It focuses on two main goals: fostering an environment of wellness to increase students' awareness of their mental, physical, and financial health, and providing support programs to enhance student experiences and academic health. Key areas addressed include mental, physical, financial, and academic health, with a phased implementation starting in Spring 2025.

The meeting began by suspending the standard order of business to discuss the Faculty Handbook. The Faculty Handbook Committee reported on proposed changes regarding contract types and the addition of the Instruction Track, ultimately tabling a specific item for the January meeting and requesting revised wording be sent out beforehand. The Special Guest, the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, provided updates on SACSCOC changes, including the reduction of substantive change categories and removal of the QEP requirement. Other significant topics included planned leadership changes at the LSU System level, resignation of the Director of Animal Care, expansion of programs at the OCIS-BR campus, and recommendations from a higher education reform taskforce regarding accreditation agencies. The President's Report focused on proposed renovations to the MEB to include electronic poster boards and the formulation of a new policy for posting printed materials. Reports from Assemblies covered bylaws revisions in Allied Health, a student panel on the dental curriculum, faculty parking issues in Dentistry, a successful Graduate Research Day, anticipation of MEB renovations completion in Medicine, updates on grants and onboarding in Nursing, revisions to promotion guidelines in Public Health, and library updates regarding Point of Care Tools and Ische Library construction.

The meeting included discussions on research training compliance, focusing on communication of training needs, CITI training, and onboarding of researchers. There was an Office of Research Services update, covering restructuring, accreditation, and research administration software. The LSU President Search was discussed, particularly regarding faculty representation on the search committee. The Faculty Senate's intention to pursue an improved process for faculty evaluation was announced. Other business included the process for MOUs with external academic institutions and updates on Student Health, including new hires and services.

The meeting included updates on Senate activities, such as the Handbook Committee, Faculty Evaluations committee, a proposal for an IT committee, and communication with general faculty. The Office of Research Services discussed recommendations for the Executive Director position, offers for IRB Analyst positions, the AAHRPP Five Phase Re-accreditation Plan, the hiring of a Clinical Trials Manager, and changes to the LSUHSC Animal Care facility. The LSU President Search was discussed, including committee make-up and the search firm. The LSUHSC campus-wide Education Center initiative was reviewed, and a proposal has been sent to the Chancellor for review. Other business included October Board of Supervisor Agenda items, financial aid, student health, registrar policy on Post-humous degree awarding, revised Academic Affairs Policies, a Digital Badge/Microcredentials taskforce, CM-56 in revision, integration of nutrition content into IPE, International Travel Policy revisions, and a critique of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette proposed MS in Biomedical Sciences degree.

The meeting included discussions and reports from various departments and committees. Key topics included a request to approve the reorganization of Basic Sciences Departments in the School of Medicine, converting Doctor of Nursing Science Degrees to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Degrees, SACSCOC changes, and the hiring of a new ORS Executive Director. There were also discussions on GraphPad licenses, Learning Management Systems, AI policy development, faculty handbook revisions, and faculty evaluations. Additionally, there were reports from the Staff Senate, Allied Health, Dentistry, Graduate Studies, Medicine, Public Health, and Library.