Realignment Task Force October 15, 2009

Charge to Committee “… studying possible realignment of faculty from the Departments of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology into two departments or one in order to (1)develop even stronger departments in terms of research, training, teaching, leadership and administration, (2)improve planning, coordination and development of research programs, (3)improve scientific interactions and collaborations, and (4)develop new opportunities for faculty recruitment.

Context for Change Chair vacancies present opportunity to re-think alignment Significant overlap in focuses in departments involved Opportunity to better define SMPH focuses/directions Potential for greater investment in research Reduced departmental alignment with disciplinary teaching to medical students Administrative deficiencies in some departments

Recommendations 1.Realign the Departments of Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology into two new departments: Department of Neurobiology Department of Molecular and Regenerative Biosciences

Recommendations 2. Disciplinary teaching at all levels should be organized and offered through formal Teaching Groups in Anatomy, Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience administered by the realigned departments

Recommendations 3. The graduate training program in Physiology should retain its present name but should be reorganized as necessary to be interdepartmental in scope.

Recommendations 4. The Neuroscience Training Program and the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology training program, which are interdepartmental and involve several schools and colleges, should continue in their present forms with their present administrative homes.

Guiding Principles for Change Promote basic sciences in the SMPH through stronger research (and training) programs Department structure should reflect research focuses and priorities of the School Department structures should be flexible Interdisciplinary collaboration is a strength in addressing research problems—need to preserve and enhance this Traditional department names need not be retained to ensure continuation of disciplinary teaching at any level Faculty, depts and governance groups will ultimately make decisions regarding change

Related Issues Probationary faculty Teaching Administration of teaching programs Faculty salaries Salaries on grants Transfers of faculty into and out of involved departments Joint/affiliate appointments Administrative functions – effective, dedicated administration of each dept – some centralized services (TBD) Space Resources Clear explanation of processes

Next steps… Comment phase (through Nov 22) 1.Departments 2.Other SMPH departments 3.Departments outside SMPH 4.Outside reviewers

And then… Redraft proposal SMPH approval phase – Executive Committee ballots – SMPH faculty vote – conduct APC vote Campus approval phase – UAPC