ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 
MINUTES OF SENATE COUNCIL MEETING 

WED MAY 5, 2021

FINAL

PRESENT: Drs. Gordon Tomaselli, Ed Burns; Ms. Shelly Motzkin

VIA ZOOM: Drs. Julia Arnsten, Jonathan Lai, Jacqueline Achkar, Jonathan Alpert, Kalyani Dhusia, Teresa DiLorenzo, Matthew Gamble, Chandan Guha, Carmen Isasi, Nadine Katz, Marla Keller, Susan Klugman, Victor Schuster, Simone Sidoli, Pamela Stanley, Sylvia Suadicani, Allison Ludwig, Nerys Benfield; Mr. Ryan Graff, Mr. Emilio Merheb, Ms. Lindsay Pattison

1. Meeting minutes from the Apr 21, 2021 meeting were reviewed, and revisions recommended.
2. Dean Tomaselli provided a preview on topics to be covered at the Faculty Senate: (i) 180th street shuttle; (ii) discussion about vaccination and reopening; (iii) congratulatory remarks to the 2021 XSeed Award winners.
3. Dr. Benfield provided an update on several aspects of the D&I office. An ombudspanel for bias reporting is being formed and will be presented to the Senate soon. Language to ensure inclusion for posted ads/searches is being developed in conjunction with HR. Plans to improve responsiveness after events of significant magnitude (e.g., counseling) are underway.
4. There was extensive discussion about retention of clinician researcher faculty. Many such faculty may be experiencing trauma after caring for many COVID patients, and this has changed their outlook on balancing clinical and research duties. Key issues are salary equity, and cost coverage for research activities. Ultimately, a full union between clinical (Montefiore) and research (Einstein) institutions would be required to address these concerns. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 
Jonathan Lai, Ph.D. 
Vice Speaker, Einstein Senate