10.17.23 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 68 respondents.

• Approval of minutes from September 19, 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

Replacement nominations for three open Senate Committees

Addressed by Linda Gibson-Young:

• Grad Council - Bryan Beckingham (2026)

• University Writing - Russel Mailen (2026)

• Faculty Handbook Review - Carey Andrzejewski (2026)

Vote for combined Senate Nominees

• Passed 65 (yes), 0 (no), and 0 (abstain)

Calendar and Schedules for years 2025-26 and 2026-27, and 2024-2025

Presented by Karen Battye.

• Calendar 2025-2026 (pdf) vote required.

  • The vote for Calendar 2025-2026 passed 63 (yes), 1 (no), and 0 (abstain).

• Calendar 2026-2027 (pdf) vote required.

  • The vote for Calendar 2026-2027 passed 68 (yes), 0 (no), and 0 (abstain).

• Calendar 2024-2025 (pdf) updated Thanksgiving week. No vote is required since previously approved.

Voting on motion to form a Senate Policy Advisory Committee

Presented by Lori Eckhardt (Chair-elect).

• Senate Policy Advisory Committee (pdf)

• Reread motion to form new Senate Policy Advisory Committee. Opened for Senate questions.

• Clarified plans to form committee with diversity of units. 2/3 Vote of Senate body required (60 votes) since change to University Senate Consitution.

Information Items

Dan King (Associate Vice President of Facilities Mgmt.)

Presented the Facilities update. 

• Shared Fall 2023 video with facility updates around campus.

• Addressed all projects in progress over the last 8 months. See transcript for Q&A.

• Faculty and presenter recommended new clinical space for patients currently visiting Haley Center.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Presented by Asim Ali (Exec. Dir. for Biggio Center).

• Shared AI opportunities on AU Campus under Biggio Center's direction.

• Modules are available for faculty focusing on teaching with AI. Recognized support from the Administration.

• AI DAY on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in partnership with Microsoft and SalesForce. 

New Business

• Liliana Stern (Senato Economics Department), addressed concern related to disparities between faculty and non-faculty raises and compensations.

  • Senator stated faculty raises were capped at 3%, not enough to compensate for inflation, meaning real wages of the faculty decreasing. Stated some administrators and some staff received disproportionately larger raises and increases in their compensation, well above the inflation rate. For example, Provost Nathan has 44% raise, General Counsel 16.7%, VP for Student Affairs 19.7%., Stated HR employees also had higher raises than the faculty. For example, Associate VP for Human Resources, Carla McCormick, 21.1% and Executive Director for Common Class, Roderick Kelly, 15.3%. Encouraged upper administration, President Roberts or Provost Nathan, or representative from the faculty welfare and salary committee, to discuss this disparity between faculty and non-faculty raises and compensations. Would like non-faculty raises and compensations addressed with next Senate meeting. Chair stated this would be followed up during next meeting.

    • Motion: Move to have a discussion on the disparity between faculty and non-faculty raises.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute