09.19.23 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 61 respondents voting, requires 31.

• Approval of minutes from August 29, 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

1. Recent release of US News and World Report 2024 with Auburn University up to 93 in National Universities (up 4 spots from 2023). https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/auburn-university-1009 AU is also recognized nationally in top 50 public universities.

2. Census data for AU 2023 Fall released with total head count of 33015. Undergraduate numbers up near 6% with graduate numbers down.

3. Construction to start with new building around Haley and Thach concourses. Please be careful.

4. Strategic Planning for 2024 has started and will have website released soon. 

Provost: Vini Nathan

1. Interim Dean Jennifer Mueller-Phillips of HCOB.

2. COE Programmatic Ranking by National Academy of Kinesiology #12 in country.

3. Professional Improvement Leave released 10/9/2023-11/17/2023 and starting Fall 2024-Spring 2025.

4. MEF Plans, $4M designated. Received 35 proposals from 17 units totaling $15.5M. Robust process for evaluation and plans for notification in late October.

Action Items

Voting on the nominees to Senate Committees

Presenter: Linda Gibson-Young, Secretary

• Rules committee recommended Mark Traynor (College of Human Sciences) – 2024 to replace Andrew D. Frugé who has a new position. Once presented, vote completed in Canvas.

• The vote for Senate Nominees passed _70_ yes, _0_ no, __1 abstain

Information Items

Safety at Auburn University

Presenter: Kelvin King, Exec Dir, Campus Safety & Security and Clarence Stewart, Assistant Chief of Police, Auburn City

• Team presented Campus & Public Safety Resources with Active Shooter planned response focusing on partnerships/mutual air, mitigation efforts, or community preparations. All employees encouraged to download and use Auburn Safety Application. See PPT attached.

Senator Orientation Evaluation Summary

Presenter: Jaena Alabi

• Overview of evaluation from 2023 Senate Orientation. Positive responses from 50/89 senators with 85% completing survey attending the orientation. Majority recommending 2024 orientation day or two before classes. Comments focused on networking/ meeting other senators and taking action for AU Senate. See PPT attached.

New Business

• Dr. Lori Eckhart brings forth a motion for Proposal for New Senate Committee called Policy Advisory Committee. The motion is:

  • I move to create a Senate Policy Advisory Committee with the primary charge to review policies forwarded to the University Senate from the Executive Policy Committee as directed by the Policy on Policies. This committee will be chaired by the Senate Chair-elect and be made up of the Senate Executive Committee as well as four additional members. The Rules Committee will select volunteers with attention to campus-wide representation based on the Executive Committee composition. The four additional members will have staggered three-year rotating terms.

• Will move into action item for October University Senate Meeting.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m. by Senate Chair, Lisa Kensler.

Attendance

Senate Officers

Administration

Ex-Officio Members

Senators by Department

Absent without substitute