Steering Committee

The committee shall act for the Senate on those matters requiring attention between meetings of that body and shall assist the chair of the Senate in setting the agenda for Senate meetings. In addition, it shall be 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 shall work closely with other Senate committees to aid them in their assignments and shall receive an annual written report from each committee chair describing the committee's activities for the past year.

Minutes reporting formal action taken by the Steering Committee shall be given to each member of the Senate following their distribution.

Membership

The Steering Committee shall be composed of 10 members: four faculty members, with two appointed by the Rules Committee and approved by the Senate, and two appointed by the President; and six continuing/ex-officio members, including the Chair of the Senate, the Provost, the Senate Chair-elect, the Senate Secretary, the Senate Secretary-elect, and the Immediate Past-Chair of the Senate.

  • Restrictions:

    • Faculty appointments shall serve two-year staggered terms

Members

Name Department Term Exp.

Lori Eckhardt, Chair

 Chair of the University Senate Ex-officio, June - 2025

Vini Nathan

 Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Continuing

Virginia Davis

 Chair-Elect of the University Senate Ex-officio, June - 2025

Jaena Alabi

 Secretary of the University Senate Ex-officio, June - 2025

Rachel Prado

 Secretary-Elect of the University Senate Ex-officio, June - 2025

Lisa Kensler

 Immediate Past Chair of the University Senate Ex-officio, June - 2025

L. Octavia Tripp, Rules Committee appointee

 Curriculum and Teaching 2025

Andrew Pendola, Rules Committee appointee

 EFLT 2026

J. Brian Anderson, Presidential appointee

 Civil Engineering 2025

Tom Leathem, Presidential appointee

 CADC, McWhorter School of BSCI 2026