Minutes of the Council of Deans business meeting: July 10, 2000 San Diego, CA

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Winter 2000 by Chase, Patricia A

1. Call to Order

Chairman Jack E. Fincham called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM, Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, San Diego, California

2. Chairman's Remarks

Chairman Fincham welcomed the new deans, associate and assistant deans: Mark Britton (Oklahoma), Max Ray (Western), Johnnie Early (Toledo), Wayne Hoss (Tennessee); Mary Andritz (Albany); Gayle Brazeau (SUNY-Buffalo); Arlene Flynn (Uillois at Chicago); Jack Reynolds (MCP); Sylvan Frank (Ohio State); Bev Talluto (MidWesternChicago); Leroy Simmons (Florida A&M); and Chase (Butler).

3. Secretary's Report

Dr. Patricia Chase called for corrections to the minutes. The minutes of the February 24, 2000 meeting were approved as written.

4. Special Session: Pharmacy Student Organizations

Chairman Fincham invited leaders from pharmacy organizations to meet with the Council of Deans to discuss the issue concerning the number of student organizations on each campus. Three organizations were represented: Dr. Henri Manasse, (ASHP), Dr. John Gans (APhA), and Dr. Doug Hoey (representing NCPA for Calvin Anthony).

Dr. Manasse began the discussion noting the collaborative spirit in national organizations and recognized the work of the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) to improve the collaboration between the organizations. He noted that although the profession has achieved advancements in many areas, there are nonetheless serious issues ahead. He listed four critical issues he believed must be addressed with pharmacy students while in college:

1. Socialization-the process to inculcate values and beliefs of our culture and occupation.

2. Networking-the need to associate with colleagues with similar career interests.

3. Developing skills (leadership, politics)

4. Developing habits (participation, citizenship etc,)

The unique differences in practice sites in healthcare systems pose additional challenges to the profession. The differences include the variety of distribution systems, the intensity of medication use, the amount of collaboration with other health professions, the focus on improving patient outcomes, differences in accrediting bodies, and in reimbursement and payment methods.

Dr. Manasse proposed that the role of university is to encourage and facilitate the search for truth. Schools need to nurture a diversity of ideas and to assist students to develop leadership skills. ASHP has always been committed to fostering the development of leadership in pharmacy. Manasse presented the ASHP Residency program as one initiative the organization has that presents a strong focus on education. To date, over 13,000 individuals have completed ASHP-accredited residency programs. Today ASHP is expanding this program by developing partnerships with other organizations to expand the number of residencies. Dr. Manasse closed his comments by discussing several Supreme Court rulings that affect public universities in attempts to restrict student activities on campus.

Rather than making an issue of student organizations, Dr. Gans felt that there are more pressing issues that the profession must address. These included the possibility that Merck-Medco would become an insurer, that the FDA would impose more restrictions on the use of prescriptions, the possibility of Statin drugs made OTC products, and the issues regarding compounding and how sterile products will be prepared in the future.

Following this introduction, Dr. Gans gave APhA's position concerning the number of student organizations on each campus. APhA feels the deans and students on each campus should make this decision. Each college/school must conduct an internal analysis to determine resources that are required. Resources required include financial resources, constant and sustainable leadership, the nature of student body etc. Each school must determine how student organizations will be supported. He observed that this must include internal discussion concerning dues, alumni support and fund raising activities. APhA's focus is leadership in pharmacy. APhA assists student organizations in many areas such as rebating a portion of dues, assisting student chapters in textbook sales, and the leadership development program in Washington D.C. Dr. Gans concluded that to positively influence student organizations depends on the climate in each school.

Some schools have found that interorganizational councils work. But all these issues are campus specific. Although he agreed with Dr. Manasse that students need to be exposed to opportunities, he also felt that they need to be professionalized. APhA will continue to work with AACP and its members to educate students in leadership development.

Doug Hoey stated that NCPA currently has student chapters in one half of the colleges and schools. NCPA's focus is on developing entrepreunerialship in students. NCPA sponsors a luncheon for deans and faculty liaisons. Over last ten years $2.5 million has been awarded in Presidential Scholarships. NCPA's position is that no one organization can fully represent all opportunities.