2008 Woodie Awards
Medical school last-minute addition for Trustees
By: Jackie Smith
Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: News
The Board of Trustees' call to approve Central Michigan University's medical school project during its meeting Thursday was arranged last minute.
Director of Media Relations Steve Smith said a request for University President Michael Rao's presentation was made during an ad hoc committee meeting Wednesday afternoon, the details of which were finalized the morning prior to the event.
The medical school was not on the Board's formal agenda, but it was discussed during "Other/New Business" at the end of the meeting.
"It was an eleventh hour decision," he said. "Literally, everything was coming together the night before."
The report, Smith said, was an overview of what has transpired in the last 18 months in terms of negotiations and has been widely transparent the entire time.
It publicized CMU's pursuit of clinical affiliations off campus for the future program's second two years of clinical research, a timeline in coming years to establish its first incoming class and the $1.5 million design of an additional wing planned for the Health Professions Building.
Steve Berkshire, Health Administration director, said Rao held a meeting Aug. 21 with the College of Health Professions faculty regarding the medical school plan, having no reason to believe the Board would not discuss the project in either of its two meetings this semester.
"That was the impression I had ... that they were getting ready to make a final proposal," he said. "It'll obviously help the community in the northern part of the state. I'm pleased in the direction they're thinking of going."
Berkshire said he came in July having already heard of CMU's ongoing negotiations for the medical school.
Many HP faculty members expect to play at least an indirect research and instructional role when medical facilities are officially established on campus, he said.
"Our assumption is that we'd have some relationship with the medical school," Berkshire said. "Then from our perspective ... I would imagine we'd get (new faculty) to be involved."
Director of Media Relations Steve Smith said a request for University President Michael Rao's presentation was made during an ad hoc committee meeting Wednesday afternoon, the details of which were finalized the morning prior to the event.
The medical school was not on the Board's formal agenda, but it was discussed during "Other/New Business" at the end of the meeting.
"It was an eleventh hour decision," he said. "Literally, everything was coming together the night before."
The report, Smith said, was an overview of what has transpired in the last 18 months in terms of negotiations and has been widely transparent the entire time.
It publicized CMU's pursuit of clinical affiliations off campus for the future program's second two years of clinical research, a timeline in coming years to establish its first incoming class and the $1.5 million design of an additional wing planned for the Health Professions Building.
Steve Berkshire, Health Administration director, said Rao held a meeting Aug. 21 with the College of Health Professions faculty regarding the medical school plan, having no reason to believe the Board would not discuss the project in either of its two meetings this semester.
"That was the impression I had ... that they were getting ready to make a final proposal," he said. "It'll obviously help the community in the northern part of the state. I'm pleased in the direction they're thinking of going."
Berkshire said he came in July having already heard of CMU's ongoing negotiations for the medical school.
Many HP faculty members expect to play at least an indirect research and instructional role when medical facilities are officially established on campus, he said.
"Our assumption is that we'd have some relationship with the medical school," Berkshire said. "Then from our perspective ... I would imagine we'd get (new faculty) to be involved."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Florence Schneider
posted 9/22/08 @ 8:49 AM EST
Of course it was at the last minute. The more this program is studied and reviewed the less merit it has. It is what it is...a resume padder for Mike Rao. (Continued…)
Peter Vermeire
posted 9/22/08 @ 9:56 AM EST
Since 2003, Freshman tuition at CMU has increased by nearly 105%. In that time the number of regular faculty has decreased by more than 3%, while over the past ten years the on-campus enrollment has increased by 15% and the student-to-regular-faculty ratio at CMU has increased from 28. (Continued…)
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