AU Steering Minutes

Senate Steering Meeting

11/07/2023 | 107 Samford | 3:30 PM

Attendance

Present: Lisa Kensler (Chair), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary), Jaena Alabi (Secretary-elect), Laura Kloberg (Admin Asst), Lori Eckhardt (Chair-elect), J. Brian Anderson, Mark Carpenter (Past char), Danilea Werner (sub for L. Octavia Tripp), Evelyn Hunter, Vini Nathan (Provost), and Allison Batts (Parliamentarian).

Absent: Robert Cochran, excused.

Guests: Tracey Witte (Exec. Committee), Beth Davis-Shramik (President-elect, Exec. Committee AAUP), Liliana Stern (Economics Senator).

Minutes

  • Steering Minutes from October 10, 2023. Approved unanimously as posted.

  • Reviewing Draft Senate Agenda for November 14, 2023.

Remarks and Announcements

  • Remarks and announcements moving to the end of the Senate Agenda. Approved by President Roberts and Provost Nathan.

Provost: Vini Nathan

  • For Senate, will focus on items on BOT agenda, Academic affairs with two new programs to announce.

Information Items

AU Student Counseling & Psychological Services Report

Presented by Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia, Associate Director.

  • Reviewed report from AU Student Counseling & Psychological Services using PPT over 10-minute period. Questions posed after completion of presentation. International Accreditation to Counseling Services and peer school.

Committee Reports

Committee Chairs Meet & Greet Luncheon

  • Will limit to 2 minutes to emphasize the welcome nature of the Senate towards the Senate Committees.

Childcare Report

Presented by Tracy Witte and Beth Davis-Shramik for review on Senate from AAUP.

  • Conducted survey April 2023 (n = near 1500, 52% of female population with AU).

  • Identified deficiencies with childcare throughout the city and surrounding cities.

  • Peer schools focus on employee wellbeing and work-life integration. Talent management is a large conversation to continue focus.

  • Would encourage a process from administration for collecting names for ad hoc committee.

Faculty Handbook Update

Presented by Mitchell Brown (Chair) addressing updated AU Handbook Guidelines for Establishing and Filling Positions in the Teaching Title Series.

  • The Faculty Handbook Committee reviewed and approved Amendments to the Teaching Professor Title Series as changes onto the attached Guidelines for Senate approval.

  • Based on Review of 6/13/23 Senate minutes, this information should be voted on in entirety.

  • Steering discussion encouraged plans to revisit with Faculty Handbook Committee chair and Senate chair to assist setting of Senate agenda.

Action Items

  • Liliana Stern (Senator, Economics):

    • Previous verbal motion from 10/17/2023 to Senate regarding request for presentation/discussion on disparities between faculty raises and non-faculty raises - will require Second/Debate/Vote (11/14/2023).

    • Presented a powerpoint to Steering displaying salaries of specific individuals in administration offices and Human Resources. Powerpoint ended with amended motion.

      • Picture of individual and specific names, but no titles noted.

      • Discussion with one issue moving to vote - request brought forward to remove specific names.

      • Voting outcome: 6 votes to remove personal names, 2 voted to leave names, and 1 abstained.

      • Steering Committee requested Senator Stern amend powerpoint asking roles/titles to be added with removal of personal names.

New Business

  • No new business addressed.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.