01.23.24 Senate Minutes

Establish a Quorum

• All senators in attendance reminded that they must participate in the canvas quorum poll (this is equivalent to the sign-in sheet during in-person meetings).

• A quorum was established with 58 respondents.

• Approval of minutes from November 14, 2023 with friendly amendment to replace administration item to information item.

Remarks and Announcements

University Senate Chair: Lisa Kensler

• Offered mid-year remarks with 2023-2024 term. Poll in Canvas re: Senate orientation in August 2024 now open for all senators.

• Committee chair event planned for April 2024 and emails sent to all Senate committee chairs.

• New Policy Advisory Committee in place and Rules Committee identifying members.

• Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee currently working on faculty salary conversation.

• Senate Rules Committee are now aiming to fill open committees using the AU Senate volunteer website. All encouraged to volunteer for AU Senate and University Committees using volunteer link.

President: Christopher B. Roberts

• Appreciation for Childcare Study team, as well as Task Force led by Steve Pelham.

• SACSCOC outcome:

  • 10-year reaffirmation letter received on January 10, 2024, with no post-affirmation letter required.

  • $50M contact received - largest single research contract.

• Enrollment outcome:

  • 52K applications, highest number of applications in history with near 6K class admitted.

  • Delay in national FAFSA 2024/2025 submissions, see AU response on website.

  • Comments on Wall Street Journal article.

Provost: Vini Nathan

• Highlighted work of units across campus. Will present AU Strategic Plan in February Senate meeting.

• See current open survey on website open till March 1, 2024.

• Three open Dean positions:

  • CON, CADC, HCOB. All dates will be announced in AU News.

• New certificates and programs identified.

Information Items

Childcare Study

Presenters: Tracy Witte and Beth Davis-Sramek.

• This was previously bumped from November 2023 due to time constraints

• AAUP Presentation (pdf) of the AAUP Childcare Report [pdf of Childcare Report]

Motion by Senator Hans-Werner Van Wyk:

• "The AU Senate supports the ongoing efforts between members of the AAUP, the AU administration, and the city, to address the concerns raised in the childcare Infrastructure report", seconded by Sunny Stalter-Pace.

• Will vote with Senate February 2024. Point of order from Duha Altindag (sub for Liliana Stern, Economics) requesting vote to be held within this meeting. Chair clarified and no motion stated.

Committee Reports

Proposal to Raise Cap on Retirement Contributions

Presented by Wes Collins and Matthew Hoch (Faculty Salaries & Welfare).

• Link to Analysis of AU Matching of Employee 403(b) Contributions Written Report pdf.

• Link to presentation in pdf format.

• After presentation, motion identified. The Faculty Salaries & Welfare Committee move that the Senate vote to accept this report and support this recommendation. Voting will be held February 2024. Question asked if this study can be used to link the two projects of faculty salary and retirement contributions. Answer stated this will likely link with total compensation discussion.

New Business

• Dr. Wei Zan, Senator representing the department of chemistry and biochemistry. The deans and chairs at the College of Sciences and Math have drafted an open letter together in support of establishing a teaching professorship line at Auburn University.

  • “I make a motion that the Senate accept this document, so it can be shared with all senators and later incorporated into our meeting minutes.” Seconded by Rebecca Riggs, Senator from Biological Sciences.

• COSAM Letter (pdf)

• No further conversation.

Adjournment

Lisa Kensler, Senate Chair

Meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m. by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute