06.11.24 Senate Minutes

Establish a Quorum

• Vote to identify quorum. A quorum was established with 51 respondents. [Canvas Count = 54]

• Approval of the Senate meeting minutes from May 14, 2024. Minutes approved with no corrections and unanimous consent.

Remarks and Announcements

• AU Senate Chair: Lisa Kensler

  • Highlighted the progress made throughout the year with Senate orientation and luncheon for Committee Chairs.

  • Two new Senate Committees: Policy Advisory and Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Engagement (RISE).

  • Support for AAUP Childcare Report, Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee recommendations, and Teaching Professor Series recommendations.

  • Senate orientation will be August 15, 2024.

• AU President: Christopher B. Roberts

  • Highlighted recent Board of Trustees meeting where preliminary 2025 budget was reviewed and supported including a 4% salary pool (guidelines will be sent to each unit to prepare for Fall). Significant increases are noted with expenses with large amounts noted in software and subscriptions.

  • Camp War Eagle session numbers have increased.

  • Facilities in construction are on time and much time devoted to ensure buildings are ready for students. Haley Center will be assessed in Fall 2024.

• Associate Provost: Norman Godwin (shared remarks on behallf of Provost Vini Nathan)

  • Dean searches updated with Dean Dawn Findley (from Rice Univ) announced for College of Architecture, Design and Construction.

  • College of Nursing search unsuccessful and new search starting in Fall 2024. Dean Gregg Newschwander will remain on for year.

  • Strategic Planning Committees finalized draft of thematic goals and subgoals after 20 iterations will be highlighted in Senate today.

  • SB 129 workgroup is in progress with recommendations in progress.

  • Portal for annual Faculty Awards now open with all encouraged to review website and nominate.

Information Items

Strategic Plan Update 

Presented by Kerry Inger and Hari Narayanan (Co-Chairs, Strategic Planning Committee). Questions should be posed to Co-Chairs of Committee.

• Download/View Strategic Plan Presentation (pdf)

Leadership Development at Auburn 

Presented by Chris Richie (Human Resources Department). Questions should be posed to presenter.

• Download/View LDWG Presentation (pdf)

New AU Access Preview 

Presented by Kelsey Prather (OIT). Questions should be posed to presenter.

• Download/View OIT Slide Presentation (pdf)

Action Items

Vote re: Student Academic Grievance Policy 

Presented by Chih-hsuan Wang stated this policy needs further revision and should be returned to committee. Dr. Wang moves to withdraw the motion and return to committee. Motion approved by unanimous consent as no objection noted.

• Download/View Student Academic Grievance Policy slides (pdf)

• Download/View Text of Proposed Policy Change (pdf)

Vote re: Senate Committee Membership (Nominations from Rules Committee) 

Presented by Linda Gibson-Young.

• Download/View Nominees for Senate Committees (pdf)

Vote re: Motion

Presented by Senator, Christine Schnittka and seconded by Senator, Chris Martin. 

• Vote recorded in Canvas: Yes 35, No 8, and Abstained 1. [CANVAS totals: Y=36, N=7, A=1]

Committee Reports

Retention Committee Report 

Presented by Melissa Partyka (Retention Committee). Questions should be posed to Committee. 

Motion made for Senate to accept report from Retention Committee. Vote planned for August 2024.

• Download/View Retention Committee Report (pdf)

New Business

Lisa Kensler, Senate Chair

• None.

Adjournment

Lisa Kensler, Senate Chair

Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute