11.14.23 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 59 respondents.

• Approval of minutes from October 17, 2023. Minutes approved with unanimous consent and no corrections.

Remarks and Announcements

University Senate Chair: Lisa Kensler

• Opening remarks regarding expectations of meeting. No additional remarks.

President: Christopher B. Roberts

• Enrollment:

  • We are currently recruiting next year’s class and have already received 20K+ applications, a 15% increase since last year. Average ACT for 1st round 2024-2025 accepted is 29.1 residents/30.8 non-residents (28 residents/ 29.1 2023-2024 admit). Also review student academic interests and participation in college-specific recruiting activities. We do ensure capacity for majors.

• Facilities:

  • In midst of construction across campus with College of Education and STEM-Ag Complex. Dan King’s presentation will share images.

• Advancement:

  • Rob Wellbaum named as Senior VP for Advancement with 25 years’ experience.

  • This year, we have $176 M in new commitments (7% over goal of $165M). AU Foundation Board has approved $175M goal next year has been approved.

  • The Alumni Board has ended annual membership program. Instead, we will ask alumni to give towards units. In concert with new strategic plan, we are preparing the comprehensive campaign to align fundraising strategy with priorities within strategic plan.

• Legislative Affairs:

  • Funding portfolio as new fiscal year- State legislatures approved $100M for Auburn University. On a federal level, we have aimed to secure funding in proposed spending bills.

Provost: Vini Nathan

• Faculty Events:

  • Today, we will recognize 31 faculty who have been recognized with new endowments at GPAC. Provost Faculty Awards will be held on November 9, 2023. Awardees announced last week.

• Open positions - Four National Searches:

  • Dean positions for 3 units and Director for Honors College position. Two internal searches for Associate Provost and Associate VP for Research.

• Strategic Planning:

  • 13 listening sessions and two workgroups. Also, held internal vote using Zoom with Senate today.

Action Items

Action item brought forward from Senate to Faculty Handbook Committee

Presented by Mitchell Brown (Faculty Handbook Committee).

• Senate previously passed changes to handbook, but there was not consensus in Faculty Handbook Committee to move forward to administration with current changes. History: In June, this proposal change was approved and sent to Faculty Handbook Committe.

• Today, a motion to recommit the Teaching Track Series back to the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Committee. Motion seconded.

  • Motion highlighted Teaching Professor Line and to define non-tenure role. A goal when recommitted to Non-Tenure Faculty Committee would allow more discussion at the implementation.

• Debate opened.

  • Point of order identified to keep conversations focused on whether or not to send forward to Non-Tenure Track Committee.

  • Question made re: what will happen if this goes back to committee. If motion approved, Provost nathan addressed the plan if moved to administration to address implementation as a future goal to implement this motion.

• Motion to suspend rules of debate allowing non-senator to contribute for debate of motions in November, 2023 meeting.

  • Vote for motion passed 51 (yes), 16 (no), and 4 (abstain)

    • PASSES - Rules suspended 

• Vote to recommit Teaching Track Faculty Proposal back to Non-Tenure Track Committee

  • Vote for motion passed 36 (yes), 32 (no), and 5 (abstain).

    • PASSES - Returned to Non-Tenure Track Committee

Concerns related to disparities between faculty and non-faculty raises and compensations

Addressed by Liliana Stern, Senator, Economics Department.

• Motion: There shall be an [Friendly ammendement 1-23-24 remove administrative item with information item] information item and robust debate concerning raises and increases in compensation for administrators and staff versus the faculty. Motion seconded.

• Information request of Dr. Roberts. President Roberts vocalized conversation of raises based on merit, roles, market adjustments, promotions, and endowments. Stressed the significance of people within Auburn University and leadership responsibilities.

• Amended Motion and Seconded.

• Vote deleted since no discussion allowed.

• Vote to amend motion: the Senate requests that the Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee further investigate the raises and increases in compensation for administrators and staff versus the faculty and present at a future Senate Meeting.

  • Vote for amendment to motion passed 44 (yes), 16 (no), 0 (abstain).

• Vote to amend motion: the Senate requests that the Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee broadly investigate the raises and increases in compensation for administrators and staff versus the faculty compensation overall and present at a future Senate meeting.

  • Vote for motion passed 49 (yes), 17 (no), and 2 (abstain).

    • PASSES - Amendment accepted. 

• Vote on motion: the Senate requests that the Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee further broadly investigate the raises and increases in compensation for administrators and staff versus the faculty and faculty compensation overall and then present at a future Senate meeting.

  • Vote for motion passed 42 (yes), 15 (no), 3 (abstain).

    • PASSES - Will move to Faculty Salary and Welfare Committee.

Information Items

• Tabled until January 2024.

New Business

• None.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m. by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute