AU Steering Minutes

Senate Steering Meeting

10/10/2023 | 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), Vini Nathan (Provost), J. Brian Anderson, Robert Cochran, Danilea Werner (sub for L. Octavia Tripp), Evelyn Hunter.

Absent: Mark Carpenter (Past-chair)

Guests: Dan Whatley (Exec. Dir. Operations for Dan King), Asim Ali, and Karen Battye.

Minutes

  • Meeting called to order by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler

  • Steering Minutes from September 12, 2023. Approved unanimously as posted.

  • Discussion of Agenda Items for September 19, 2023

  • Draft Senate Agenda for October 17, 2023.

Remarks and Announcements

Provost: Vini Nathan

  • Plans to address Senate with updates and awards.

Information Items

Facilities Update

Dan Whatley, Executive Director, Operations for Dan King presented Auburn Construction updates, starting with Fall video.

  • Plans to highlight Auburn Main Campus Project Sites: Facilities Management Training Center, McWhorter Center Gymnastics & Softball Team Area Renovations; Plainsman Park Improvements; Melton Student Center Starbucks Relocation and Renovations; College of Education Building; and CADC Research Support and Innovation Center.  Will also highlight off-campus discussions on Hood McPherson Building Renovation - Birmingham, AL; Alabama Cooperative Extension System Graham Farm & Nature Center Pavilion - Jackson County, AL; Auburn University Regional Airport Corporate Hangar at South Ramp; and Auburn University at Montgomery Science Laboratory Facilities Renovation. Dan King will present and plans to open for Q&A session.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Auburn University

Plans for discussing AI presented by Asim Ali.

  • Will discuss challenges and opportunities with teaching and learning; research opportunities; and risk management and technical situations. Plans to present Auburn University’s AI Course as self-paced research. 4000 learners in the course and the non-AU course is a terrific place to engage in research with AI. TRON: Think Tank Film Festival on October 24 with discussion. Planned AI Day on January 25, 2025.

Action Items

Calendar and Schedules 

Karen Battye, Registrar, presented 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 calendar.

  • The calendars have been approved by the Senate- Calendar Committee. Ready for vote.  

Vote on Policy Advisory Committee Proposal

  • Lisa Kensler highlighted need for 2/3 majority (n = 60). Lori Eckhardt will present for Senate Agenda.

Voting on Senate Committees

Linda Gibson-Young presented names for Senate Committee Nominees.

  • As approved by Rules Committee:  Grad Council- Bryan Beckingham to replace Jean Francois Louf in SGCOE; University Writing- Russell Mailen to replace Steve Duke also in SGCOE; Faculty Handbook Review- Carey Andrzejewski to replace Leonard Taylor in COE.

New Business

  • No new business addressed.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.

Mission: 

The Steering Committee acts on behalf of the AU Senate on matters requiring attention between meetings of that body and assists the chair of the Senate in setting the agenda for Senate meetings. In addition, it is concerned with the academic affairs of the University, with particular attention given to the need for developing and recommending policies under which these affairs are conducted. It works closely with other Senate committees to aid them in their assignments.