2. Director’s Report:
Marlene Belfort:
Request for appointment as Adjunct Senior Scientist in the Bay Paul Center. Dr. Borisy asked for advice on what materials should be requested because she is so distinguished. Science Council agreed that no formal review is required, and suggests the following documentation: a CV and two letters of approval, one by The MBL Director and one by the Center Director. The material will be distributed electronically.

Campaign Feasibility Study:

The MBL has retained a consultant, called CCS (Community Counseling Services) to provide a feasibility study for a capital campaign. This consultant has experience with research institutions. They have begun the study and will provide an interim report in May to the Board, and a final report to the Board in August. They are conducting interviews with up to 100 people who are stakeholders in the MBL.

Dr. Borisy distributed the background statement that has been prepared to provide during the interviews. This background statement will change over time. It will be difficult to incorporate every area that is studied at the MBL. Peter Smith expressed concern that there was an absence of cell science in the document. The consultant would prefer to keep the background statement concise. John Dowling stated that “Why the MBL” should be emphasized; there was no real “hook” in the document, and the Micro-Eco interface was weak. Regenerative biology should be emphasized as a catch, but we are not doing it. How would we deliver on it?

Dr. Borisy requested that the committee members send comments for the document using track changes to him and to copy Pam Clapp Hinkle.

State of the MBL:

Dr. Borisy distributed a printout of the PowerPoint presentation that he gave for an internal talk. The committee agreed that the presentation of the financial details during the State of the MBL was a good idea.

3. Report of the CASO:

Dr. Borisy stated that Bill Beers will retire just after Labor Day. The CASO advertisement, organizational charts, and lists of peer organizations structures were supplied to the committee. Dr. Borisy has requested input from the committee, but noted that we would like to move quickly on this. The committee advised that the decision regarding job description should be made by Dr. Borisy based on how the CASO will be most effective. The committee agreed that they should give input, but not a recommendation, and will be available to be called upon if needed.

The Friday Evening Lecture schedule was distributed. Next year, the process of making the schedule will be started sooner.

Bill Beers reported that all of the Rowe Laboratory space assignments have been made, and the building is full. The renovations are continuing according to schedule, and we expect June 1 occupancy. We have placed early arrivals into the Loeb Building and were able to accommodate everyone. Some groups will stay in Loeb through June, and then will move to the Rowe Laboratory. Some of the space in the Rowe Laboratory was kept as large open space, rather than putting up walls. The open floor plan is an experiment for this year. Some additional space that we have rented in other buildings will not be rented. The summer occupancy rate is down marginally, but not significantly, probably because of the uncertainty of the renovation schedule.

The new Brown/MBL students have had offers: three first year students and one student will defer for one year; a total of four students are coming in. The acceptance rate of offers was about 50%. In addition, there are two students that Hugh Ducklow will be bringing with him. The total number of students in the program is now up to 20.

Lenny Dawidowicz reported that we have filled all of the classes. There were 2-3 applicants per slot in the courses which is what we strive for. A new special topics course was added, called the Biology of the Inner Ear (BIE). We are waiting to hear about a Neuroinformatics course with program officers and funding. Everything is relatively stable, but we are submitting three competing renewals for four of the courses. The Kinetochore Consortium is a group of fellows that will be working together this summer, and we will build on the idea to encourage the co-laboratory.

4. Corporation Membership

Applications: William Huyett, Trustee – Accepted

A committee consisting of John Dowling, Catherine Carr, Paul De Weer, Thoru Pederson, Peter Smith, Clare Waterman-Storer, Carol Pooser, and Pam Hinkle has been assembled to look at the role of the Corporation, and its structure. A meeting has been scheduled, and a report from the committee will follow.

5. Science Council elections

Barbara Ehrlich, Donald Faber and Rudolf Oldenbourg have come to the end of their 3-year term. All three are willing to stand for re-election. There is a nominating committee to which Science Council will appoint three members, Dr. Borisy will appoint three of his own and of the six, a chair will be appointed. The nominating committee will list Barbara Ehrlich, Donald Faber and Rudolf Oldenbourg as candidates, one from each constituency. Peter Smith, Tim Mitchison, and Larry Rome will serve on the nominating committee.

6. Personnel Matters: Appointments and Promotions
[…]

7. Amendment to Policy on Appointments & Promotions

The changes to the policy were reviewed and accepted.

8. Old Business:

The General Scientific Meetings will not occur this year.

If the chair of Science Council is unable to attend the Trustees meeting, a written report will be given to Jack Rowe. Permission will be requested from the Trustees for the chair to designate an elected member to stand in.

Peter Smith reported that a Cell Sciences Center document has been worked on, and more information will follow at the next meeting.

9. New Business:

The list of education committee members will be finalized shortly.

10. Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:15 PM.