AU Senate Meeting

Remarks and Announcements

AU Senate Chair: Mark Carpenter

• Welcome to everyone and to new member, Evelyn Hunter.

• Todd Steury announced that as of September 1, 2022, he would be stepping down as Immediate Past Chair. He will become the Associate Dean in the College of Wildlife, Forestry, and the Environment.

AU Senate Secretary: L. Octavia Tripp

• Shared committee assignments for administrator review. Senators nominated were Roy Hartfield, Christine Schnittka, Michael Baginski, Linda Gibson-Young, Lisa Kensler, David Han, Liliana Stern, Richard Sesek, and Evelyn Hunter. All individuals were reviewed by Rules. All names were sent to Provost Nathan, and she approved.

AU Senate Chair-Elect: Lisa Kensler

• Asked Provost Nathan a question concerning who would chair the Administrator review committee and Provost Nathan said Jim Ryan will assign the chair of the committee from the Provost’s Office.

Information Items

• Chair, Mark Carpenter discussed that previously Steering would have had a presentation from Mark Barnett on the update of the new parking policy. Mark Barnett was not present to give the presentation due to a conflict.

• Katie Boyd, Director of Director of Auburn Achieve, gave an update on the proposal for QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan). Chair Carpenter suggested that the presentation time be reduced.

• Chair Carpenter asked if anything should be added to the agenda. Todd, IPC, asked about the parking policy. Todd suggested that Mark Barnett make a recording about the policy presentation and have Steering review it. Everyone agreed that this would be a good idea.

New Business

• Chair Carpenter asked about “Constitutional Carry.” since many faculty had been asking about this policy.

• Robert Norton and Bob Cochran discussed “Constitutional Carry.” It was suggested that we get information from the general counsel. It was stated that the general counsel might not want to get involved.

• Q. As of January 1, 2023, “Constitutional Carry.” will be law in the state of Alabama. So, the question remains, can Auburn continue to carry out its ban on weapons on campus?

• Q. Octavia Tripp asked for clarification about the ban and “Constitutional Carry.”

  • A. It was decided that there needs to be a discussion and let legal look at the policy first.

• The Senate Chair discussed going through the clearance process to get grants. Background checks are standard format. Chair Carpenter offered that much information should be given to the faculty as soon as possible. There will be much discussion once this information is given to the faculty. Bob Norton suggested that Tony Novara, from the Chief Research Security Office, come to Steering to discuss the clearance policy in a presentation before it is decided to be presented to the faculty.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4:31 p.m. by Senate Chair Mark Carpenter.