University Senate

March 8, 2005

Broun Hall Auditorium

3 pm

Meeting Notes

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Willie D. Larkin at 3 pm.

 

Remarks and Announcements

 

  • Senate Chair Update  and Questions

            Willie D. Larkin, Chair

 

Dr. Richardson has asked the Senate Officers to participate in a review of credentials of provost candidates and to provide input for the Provost Selection committee.

 

The position of Ombudsperson has been drafted and will again be reviewed by Drs. Larkin and Bailey before the position is moved forward.

 

Intimate Relations Policy is still under review by other constituent groups affected by the policy. 

 

Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics will be represented by the chair or chair-elect, but Senators will be asked to review any action proposed. The Steering Committee will also be asked to provide guidance on any actions proposed by the Coalition.

 

  • President’s Office

             Ed Richardson. Interim President

      

Internal search for Provost and VP Academic Affairs is underway. Dr. Richardson will be meeting with multiple groups on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 to solicit input regarding the selection of candidates to be considered for Provost. All candidates will make presentations in an open forum and those attending will have an opportunity to provide input. 

 

Dr. Richardson recognized John Tatum, President of the Student Government Association and welcomed him to the Senate.

 

The legislative agenda is moving forward and the prospects for achieving the four priorities are promising. The legislative session ends around mid-May.

 

Dr. Richardson has met with Kelly Alley, chair of the Multicultural Diversity Commission.  He will be meeting with other concerned groups as well to establish meaningful priorities.   Diversity was described as a high priority that will be embedded in the strategic planning process. 

 

The June 17 Board of Trustee meeting will be one in which committees are formed, budget will be adopted, and the initiatives identified by Dr. Richardson will be presented to the Board.  Some substantive changes in the College of Agriculture and further definition of the relationship with AUM are among the items for that June 17 agenda.

 

Asked about the Auburn airport, Richardson indicated that several proposals are forthcoming. A new terminal has already been approved as well as the road to access the terminal. Newton and Associates have evaluated the airport and submitted a report of their findings.

 

Dr. Richardson indicated that the search for a Dean of the Libraries appears to be near completion.

 

  • Action Items

 

Charles Mitchell, Howard Thomas, and Judith Lechner were elected to fill the three vacancies on the Rules Committee.  They begin their 2-year assignments immediately.

 

  • Information Items   

 

AU Faculty Officer Elections will take place March 10-14, 2005 with results announced at the March 15 Spring Faculty Meeting.

 

Multicultural Diversity Commission       

Kelly Alley, Chair asked that persons who wish to make final comments about the report please email concerns to her within the next two weeks.

 

Ad hoc Committee: Mentoring Tenure-Seeking Faculty

Jim Groccia, Chair provided a brief initial report of the findings of his committee and some preliminary recommendations. Final recommendations will be ready by the April 5, 2005 Senate meeting.

 

2005-06 Call for Volunteers

Patricia Duffy, secretary elect asked Senators to go back to their departments and recruit for committee vacancies.

 

Unfinished Business

 

An inquiry about the status of the electronic privacy policy. Dr. Larkin will update the faculty as information becomes available.

 

             

Note:   University Senate Meeting, April 5, 2005

            University Faculty Meeting, March 15, 2005