5.14.24 Senate Minutes

Establish a Quorum

• Vote to identify quorum. A quorum was established with 70 respondents.

• Approval of the Senate meeting minutes from April 16, 2024. Minutes approved with no corrections and unanimous consent.

Remarks and Announcements

AU Senate Chair: Lisa Kensler

Shared remarks on Senate processes.

AU President: Christopher B. Roberts

(shared by Provost Vini Nathan on behalf of President Roberts)

5000+ students graduated over 4 days. Active search process for role of Dan King. Auburn Birmingham (former Hood-McPherson Building) opens May 23rd. Upcoming Board of Trustee meeting is scheduled June 7th. We are pleased to report that AU continues to enjoy robust support from state legislature. Jared White has effectively positioned Auburn for securing supplemental and ongoing appropriations from state. Tiger Giving Day 2024 report shared (from Rob Wellbaum, Sr. VP Philanthropy) 45 projects featured with $800K raised with >7000 gifts (423 1st time donors).

AU Provost: Vini Nathan

Announced Laura Stevens as Director of the Honors College. Finalizing open search positions for Dean with of College of Architecture, Design, and Construction and College of Nursing. Strategic Planning in progress and outcomes will be shared in an upcoming meeting [5 overarching goals]. Team has conducted numerous reviews and planned discussion for June with anticipated action in Fall 2024. SB129 Working groups are in place and developing plans for October 2024 actions for Auburn University.

Information Items

AUBURN ACHIEVE 

Presented by Katie Boyd & Anna Claire Stinson, Academic Insight 

• Download/View AA presentation (pdf)

Faculty Athletic Representative Report 

Presented by Duane Brandon (FAR)

• Download/View FAR presentation (pdf)

Action Items

Vote re: Tuition Benefits 

Presented by John Beckmann & Matthew Hoch, Faculty Salaries & Welfare Committee.

• Download/View Survey Results re:Tuition Benefits (pdf) 

• Download/View FSW Dependent Undergraduate Tuition Benefits (pdf)

Motion from Faculty Salaries & Welfare Committee: Motion to Request Full Tuition Undergraduate Benefits for Dependent Children of Faculty and Staff

Whereas, the faculty and staff of Auburn University are fundamental to the academic success and operational excellence of our institution; and

Whereas, the current benefits package offered to faculty and staff at Auburn University currently includes half tuition for dependent children; and

Whereas, many leading universities and colleges across the country provide full tuition benefits for the dependent children of their faculty and staff as part of their employment package, recognizing it as a valuable tool for attracting and retaining top talent, improving university alumni networks, and creating proper incentive structures that reward long-term investment in the institution; and

Whereas, offering full tuition undergraduate benefits for dependent children of faculty and staff can significantly enhance the well-being and financial security of our university community members, thereby fostering a more supportive and loyal workforce; and

Whereas, such a benefit would underscore Auburn University's long-term commitment to the "Auburn Family," and the principle that access to quality higher education should be within reach of those who directly produce this institution’s programming;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Senate of Auburn University hereby requests that the University President and the Board of Trustees consider and grant full tuition undergraduate benefits for the dependent children of faculty and staff.

Amendment proclamation (by Senator, Valentin Hartarska) with added words in bold to the last sentence of the proclamation.

“Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Senate of Auburn University hereby requests that the University President and the Board of Trustees consider and grant full tuition undergraduate benefits, transferable to other institutions of higher education, for the dependent children of faculty and staff.” 

Outcome of vote: 9 (yes), 60 (no), and 1 (abstained) [CANVAS totals:  did not pass; Y-10, N-67, A-1]

Vote on Original Motion: Do you support the motion made by the Faculty Salaries and Welfare Committee [not amended] regarding tuition benefits for faculty and staff?

Outcome of vote: Yes 43, No 27, and Abstained 3. [CANVAS totals: did pass. Y-44, N-29, A-3]

Vote re: Teaching Professor Series 

Presented by Rachel Prado & Ash Curtiss, Non-Tenure Track Faculty Committee.

• Download/View Draft - Teaching Faculty Proposal (pdf) 

• Download/View Teaching Professor Title Series presentation (pdf)

Motion to amend (by Senator, David Miller) the proposal to add the following sentence to the end of Section G, “Criteria for Appointment and Promotion”: “For faculty appointed without a terminal degree, a terminal degree should not be a requirement for promotion.” 

Outcome of vote: Yes 46, No 21, and Abstained 3. [CANVAS totals: Y=52, N=22, A=3]

Vote on Original Motion as amended: Do you support the Non-Tenure Track Committee's motion to replace the Lecturer Title Series with the Teaching Professor Title Series as detailed in their report [and amended]? 

Outcome of vote: Yes 61, No 14, and Abstained 1. [CANVAS totals: Y-62, N-15, A-1]

Committee Reports

Student Academic Grievance Policy Change Proposal 

Presented by Chih-hsuan Wang (Student Academic Grievance Committee).

• Download/View Student Academic Grirevance Policy Change presentation (pdf)

• Download/View text of proposed Policy Change (pdf)

New Business

Lisa Kensler, Senate Chair

• None.

Adjournment

Motion presented by Senator, Christine Schnittka:

• I'd like to make a motion that in the spirit of transparency, we request that Provost Nathan, President Roberts, and Kelli Shomaker make a presentation as soon as possible regarding the upcoming budget and budget priorities. This presentation should include how faculty input and needs are included in the decision-making process of the budget.

Second received from Senator, Chris Martin

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. by Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute