AU Steering Minutes

Senate Steering Meeting

08/22/2023 | 107 Samford | 3:30 PM

Attendance

Present: Lisa Kensler (Chair), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary), Mark Carpenter (Past-Chair), Lori Eckhardt (Chair-elect), Jaena Alabi (Secretary-elect), Vini Nathan (Provost), Evelyn Hunter (Rules appointee), J. Brian Anderson (Presidential appointee), Robert Cochran (Presidential appointee)

Absent: L. Octavia Tripp (Rules appointee, excused)

Minutes

  • Meeting called to order by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

  • Review of AU Senate Orientation on 8/16/23. 63 Senators present, Evaluation now submitted via Qualtrics Survey; Will report to Executive Committee.

  • Steering Committee member appointed by Rules Committee has medical issues and will not be able to complete requirements in Fall 2023. Will return open position to Rules Committee as a substitute for Fall only. 

  • Discussion of Agenda Items for August 29, 2023

    • Administration comments: Vini Nathan

      • She stated she would highlight programmatic updates and Dean Searches.

    • Action Item for Agenda: Voting on meeting over Zoom

      • Lisa Kensler addressed plans to vote on meeting formats.

    • Action Item for Agenda: Voting on Senate Committees (n = 4 Senate Committees)

      • Linda Gibson-Young addressed plan for completing committees for 2023-24.

    • Information Item: New High Deductible Option

      • Ann shore (Karla McCormick) 10-minute planned preview for rollout plan for (prioritize questions from senators)

      • Recommendation to move the Information Item after the AU Senate is Adjourned.

Unfinished or New Business

  1. Policy Discussion Items for Senate Steering Committee are voted on via email

    1. HIPPA - will note question raised about use of University/University Healthcare Components.

    2. Greek Life and Insurance - no concerns received.

    3. Saftey Inspections Off Campus - will forward questions regarding

      1. Applicability to off campus housing

      2. Is three years often enough?

    4. Base Pay Policy - will forward comments regarding need to reference privacy policies.

    5. Student Employment Policy - discussion regarding graduates students 20 hours/week - new policy addressed a statement regarding graduate students.

      1. We confirmed this was a re-statement of another longstanding graduate school policy.

  2. Chair recommends we initiate the planning for Fall Faculty Meeting October 2023. All encouraged to address topic areas.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Mission: 

The Steering Committee acts on behalf of the AU Senate on matters requiring attention between meetings of that body and assists the chair of the Senate in setting the agenda for Senate meetings. In addition, it is concerned with the academic affairs of the University, with particular attention given to the need for developing and recommending policies under which these affairs are conducted. It works closely with other Senate committees to aid them in their assignments.