REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Yvonne Kozlowski

Chair Kozlowski reported that Marcia Jacobson, Chair of the Nominating Committee, was unable to attend today's meeting. Kozlowski announced that the nominees for 1995-96 University Faculty officers are:

Ballots were distributed for election of officers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Yvonne Kozlowski

Kozlowski related that the Insurance and Benefits Committee has been studying several aspects of employee benefits at Auburn, but is unable to report at today's meeting. Their work has been expanded and delayed as a result of budgetary constraints; a report can be expected at the May 9 or June 13 meeting of the University Senate. Kent Fields, Chair of the Administrator Evaluation Committee, will mail administrator evaluation forms to tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty by the end of next week. Apologizing for the inadequate publicity given to the elections for faculty officers this spring, Kozlowski pointed out that the A.U. Report has cut their publication frequency in half and has had a freeze placed on hiring a new editor. She recommended that, next year, the nominating committee be appointed in December to minimize such problems. Finally, Kozlowski thanked Provost Parks and John Pritchett, Acting Associate Provost & Dean of the Graduate School, for acting on a Senate recommendation that non-tenure track faculty be evaluated annually according to the same timetable as tenure-track faculty.

STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS: William V. Muse
(The complete text of President Muse's address is available on the A.U. Gopher.)

President Muse remarked that, while returning from a recent trip to India, he had an opportunity to contemplate the current situation at Auburn, which he characterized in current vernacular as "a mixed bag."

Muse pointed out several recent accomplishments that reflect the high stature held by Auburn University. He cited Auburn's listing in 101 Best Values in America's Colleges and Universities as "one of the top flagship universities in the nation," based on quality of the education for the tuition paid. He commended the faculty for procurement of a record amount of research funding this past year--$71 million--and he expressed hope that progress will continue toward the goal of $100 million in annual research funding by the year 2000. Muse also reported that the ongoing capital campaign was progressing well; $30.3 million was received in private contributions in 1993-94, and approximately $130 million has been pledged toward a campaign goal of $175 million. Finally, he praised achievements of the Athletic Department in football, basketball, baseball, and swimming, in 1994-95.

On the other hand, according to Muse, Auburn University suffers from serious underfunding in comparison with other institutions. For 1994-95, A.U. received only 58.6% of the state appropriation it needed to attain parity with regional institutions, according to the formula used by ACHE. In addition, A.U. ranks ahead of only Kentucky, University of Mississippi, and Mississippi State University, with regard to funding received per student. Muse remarked that such a disparity in funding would not be tolerated very long if it involved athletics.

Muse warned that funding for higher education in Alabama is not likely to improve without restructuring of the tax system, principally by raising the level of support provided for public schools through local taxes. An alternative approach he offered was to drastically reduce the number of institutions competing for state support. Muse predicted that adoption of either of these solutions was unlikely in the present political climate.

Advising that all segments of the University must become involved, Muse proposed first that tuition be increased annually to bring A.U.'s tuition up to the regional average by the year 2000. This, he said, would ensure that students "contribute their fair share." Secondly, Muse stated that each academic and administrative unit must evaluate and prioritize its activities so that resources are used where the need is greatest. He emphasized the importance of using relevant factors, basing decisions on accurate data, and applying criteria consistently. He expressed frustration at the reluctance of academicians to assess quality and performance within the academy itself.

Muse then outlined the method that will be used to ensure that scarce resources are applied to those activities deemed to be the most important. First, criteria will be established by which the importance of programs or activities can be measured; next, the best data available will be gathered for use in ranking programs or activities based on those criteria; and finally, programs or units will be classified into high, medium, or low priority categories. Budget cuts will be applied first to operations in the low-priority category; if budget cuts are not necessary, the rankings will be used to allocate current resources more effectively.

Muse conceded that he would like more time in which to perfect the process, but he claimed that A.U. faces possible budget cuts even before 1995-96. This budgetary threat necessitates that program prioritization be done according to the accelerated timetable announced by Provost Parks earlier this spring. Muse then announced the names of the faculty and administrators he has appointed to the University Priorities and Goals Committee: Provost Paul Parks (Chair); Deans Gordon Bond (Liberal Arts), Bill Walker (Engineering), and Tom Vaughan (Veterinary Medicine); Department Heads Nancy Green (Human Sciences), John Mouton (Architecture), and Joe Touchton (Agriculture); and faculty members Heidi Anderson-Harper (Pharmacy), Marcia Boosinger (Library), Richard Brinker (Forestry), Jo Heath (Sciences & Mathematics), Judith Lechner (Education), Jane Martin (Nursing), and Sharon Oswald (Business). He expressed confidence that, with the help of the faculty and the University Priorities and Goals Committee, the difficult job of program assessment can be accomplished.

Finally, President Muse thanked Yvonne Kozlowski, outgoing Faculty Chair, for her leadership of the Senate and her effective representation of the faculty. He then answered questions from the audience regarding coordination of the separate prioritization efforts that are underway; competition among public institutions for state appropriations; and appropriateness of "TQM" methodology to assess performance in higher education.

PRESENTATION OF THE A.A.U.P. ACADEMIC FREEDOM AWARD: Josef A. Renden

Renden thanked the individuals who submitted nominations for this year's award, and said those nominations will be carried over to next year. He explained that the Academic Freedom Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated high ethical standards and professionalism in his or her field of specialization, and has made significant contributions to advocating, protecting, and extending academic freedom at the University. Renden announced that the recipient of the Academic Freedom Award for 1994-1995 was Charlotte R. Ward, Associate Professor Emeritus.

Renden described Professor Ward's contributions, which include service in the A.U. Physics Department from 1959 to her retirement in 1994. He also cited her involvement in the A.A.U.P. at the local, state, and national levels, and said she was instrumental in persuading the A.A.U.P. to remove Auburn from censure in 1993. She was praised by her peers for her efforts to increase faculty participation in university governance and to strengthen faculty rights, and she was described as consistently acting in the spirit and ideal of academic freedom. Renden called Ward a public defender of education and a champion for academic freedom in the academy. Renden presented Professor Ward with a plaque in recognition of her support for academic freedom at Auburn.

Professor Ward expressed gratitude for the award and said there was nothing for which she would rather be recognized. She reminded those present that academic freedom requires eternal vigilance and responsible use.

REPORT FROM THE BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Don Large

Vice President Large presented a report on the status of state funding for higher education. He explained why budget cuts are probable despite growth of the Special Education Trust Fund, which is supported principally by revenue from income and sales taxes. Large cited two reasons for the projected shortfall in the Trust Fund in 1995-96. The first was a carryover of $129 million into the 1994-95 fiscal year, which was used to generate new obligations that must be met in 1995-96. The second reason was an increase in cost of the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP), which is financed through the Special Education Trust Fund.

Large described the impact of reductions ranging from 5% to 15% on the budgets of each of the divisions of Auburn University. He voiced concern about the inflexibility imposed by a high proportion of funds committed to personnel costs. He then fielded questions from the audience about A.U.'s share of the PEEHIP deficit, the history of state appropriations to A.U., potential effects of cutbacks at the federal level, and possible changes in health insurance coverage for A.U. retirees.

Large then reported on the status of the internal budgeting process, including deliberations by the Budget Advisory Committee. He fielded several questions from the audience regarding Athletic Department funding, the allocation of "overhead" revenue, and income gained through out-of-state tuition.

Chair Kozlowski thanked Large for his efforts to clarify the budgeting process.

FAREWELL ADDRESS BY FACULTY CHAIR: Yvonne Kozlowski

Chair Kozlowski said she was honored to have served as chair of the Faculty Senate for the past year, and she thanked the other officers and past-chairs for their support and guidance. Reflecting on past farewell addresses, she noted in particular the comments made by Professor Sara Hudson regarding the all-male composition of the A.U. Board of Trustees. Dr. Bessie Mae Holloway was subsequently named to the Board; Kozlowski remarked that Dr. Holloway's background in education and her knowledge of academia have enabled her to become a valuable asset on the Board.

Kozlowski said the most lasting impression from her year's experience was the respect paid the Senate Chair because the Chair represents the faculty as a whole. She praised the willingness of faculty and administrators to work together on planning and implementation of policies. She also commented on the mutual respect granted by officers of campus organizations with whom she had worked. The lesson she said she learned was that respect empowers everyone to work together more effectively.

Kozlowski stressed to the faculty the importance of maintaining respect for one another during the next year, especially once the program rankings are announced. She expressed hope that, through the collective strength of the faculty, A.U. will emerge from its self-scrutiny with a stronger sense of who we are and what we are going to be.

Outgoing Chair Kozlowski then passed the gavel to Kent Fields.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION RESULTS: Kent Fields

Incoming Chair Fields announced the new University Faculty officers: John Grover, Chair- elect; and Barbara Struempler, Secretary-elect.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Cindy J. Brunner
Secretary to the University Faculty