GenFacultyMeeting

Draft Minutes--General Faculty Meeting March 13, 2007
3 p.m. Broun Hall Auditorium

Call to Order, Richard Penaskovic, Chair

Approval of Minutes for last meeting. Accept minutes.

Dr. Ed Richardson, State of University Address:

Thanks for attending. This is my fourth and last state of Univ presentation. When I agreed to fill University Presidency in 2004, I defined a three step plan that I felt would take about 3 years. First, we are on probation with SACS and there was a great deal of turmoil about that. With help of many people, not an all encompassing list, Earl McWhorter, indebted to Gov. Riley, Provost John Heilman, will always appreciated, Linda Glaze helped keep us between the lines, Gene Claudio was instrumental in the study itself. Thanks to all of those that participated in removal of probationary status.

Other than reduction of parking places for football games, SACS probation was a close second in the number of emails that I have received. So that tells you the relative importance of that.

Second, in Year 2 to establish institutional control, Basic definition is that the President in charge of day-to-day operations of the university. All Five citations were wrapped around President’s lack of control That includes athletics. This took slightly more than a year and was most difficult to address. Staff adept at going around President and Provost

Two observations, institutional control measured against actual control of President. There is a perceived authority, what I would call a theoretical written in books or manuals and seldom read or followed. And, I would say, that actual authority will a president be able to actually affect the decisions whether deals with organization, personnel, or budget priorities. Will refer to later. I believe the actual authority of President at this time is solid and will serve next President well. Feel very good about it, at this point. Like good health, have to work on everyday.

Maintenance and strengthening of institutional; control requires active participation throughout the community. Participation should be consistent with university goals and objectives. Not doing anything but trying to set the stage for your involvement with the next president, have a long successful tenure. One way, as look around today. Commend you for being here. Will be critical issues new President will face, those are issue relating to further improvement of institution. If allow the same few voices to express alarm and concern year after year, the same few, that conveys, at the very least, apathy. That, to me, will not be conducive to the institutional control concept. I think if that was to continue with next president, can predict steady erosion of institutional control. Doesn’t mean those that have been brave enough to stand up and say why are you doing this should cease. But that discussion should be broadened in a major way. Feeling that university is engaged and involved. Hear shared governance means responsibility. I think the Academy must continually demonstrate that it has the will and capacity to address the problems of the day.

Some say that one way to address problems of the day is to make sure that nothing happens. That is one way to address a problem to deny they exist and make sure no changes are affected. Come across as self-serving. If the Academy does not effectively deal with instructional, programmatic, personnel or May be assured that this abdication will be filled by some other entity Just casually read today Congressional, accrediting, and policy makers in trying to help Higher Ed making its decisions. It has been my experience over the years those most qualified to make those decisions in this room today. The further away their qualifications drop off markedly. Does put burden on us to make sure address problems of the day.

Year Three, I identified as search for new President. As a reminder to you, I asked Board of Trustees in June of ’05 to start search for the my successor and removed myself from the search. and Have strictly followed that. I think you will soon see a excellent choice, at least I hope so. My report card, my grade, from ‘04-’07 as president will be if next person will be successful. That doesn’t mean just occupy office. You have several examples of people occupying office but not successful. It is my observation as a member or 8 or 9 other Board of Trustees, over half of which have included successful searches for a president, that the first year will be a critical time. You will play a very major role in that. Everyone work toward this successful goal. Does not mean agree with everything stated but understand number of dynamics and people go into making decisions. Make sure have all information. Just because you are an expert in one area doesn’t mean you are an expert in all areas. We need continuity. I was third president in four years. My hope is that next president stays years 8-10 or more years cause going to take close to that to submit this in. We also need success for this next president. I stand ready toadvise if called upon. Will do everything I can to support the next president. As you know, the next president, at least in my view, will be named next week and I will assume responsibility for April and June Board meetings. Best to say now, that this is rumor city, this committee has done masterful job in trying to manage this process. In today’s environment, hard to make a commitment to job and then if don’t take it, hard to go home. Have heard all kinds of rumors including that of a general honored last week. General Mundy not first choice although would be a great choice. We are at a critical stage of choice. Hope committee meets and recommends to Board of Trustees

Now, a few items I consider to be a state of the University. One of the most promising events was a switch in the focus of the board to focus on academic quality. They have bought into this. They are pushy, in a positive sense, because they are demonstrating their commitment to higher academic standards. How many freshmen should we admit? Provost Heilman wanted 3800, I wanted 4200. We arm wrestled and settled on 4000. Adding three million on top of the scholarships we already had in place, has intensified the application for highly talented individuals. Last year, we had two TALONS, this year we had five. I spoke to two and they were standing room only. And you would be greatly encouraged by listening to these individuals, even if don’t chose Auburn. So we are at least in the race for these talented people. So I think increase in scholarship will have great increase in applications. Will be safe to predict that this will be academically strongest freshman class in the university’s history. Suspect that next year, next president may be able to top that. Freshman class hitting 4100 mark. Have sent out 3,600 rejection letters. Commend Dean Wayne Alderman for his work. Will be making some changes for next year, won’t matter if apply first, will depend on academic credentials. Recommend at April meeting put in extra money for scholarships so will, indeed, be players. Auburn just now seen as interested in that will see even further demand for admission. Board of Trustees and I are committed to keeping enrollment at 23-25 range, with max at 25, making decisions very difficult. Always easy to say increase academic standards but tell someone whose father, grandfather, two aunts and three cousins went to Auburn want to attend but will be based on more objective issues. I do think this trend, that the Board has adopted and become engaged in will increase demand for admission and will enhance national reputation. Emphasized graduate programs must be further emphasized and research programs. Drew Clark has been instrumental in providing data and comparisons that helped the Board come to really come to grips with this issue

The second one, the Capital Campaign, was, I think, the trigger how make Auburn University better. I was just in DC last week at a fund raiser, 150 Auburn grads in audience, at the Kennedy Center. This group was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I was in San Francisco, 110 Auburn graduates, the week before with an equally enthusiastic group. As you know the original goal was $350 million and was elevated to $500 million a year ago. Announced passed $450 million mark, in DC. The two chairs, Sam Ginn and Sally Jones-Hill, former president of AU Foundation, have pushed Dr. McGinnis to pass that. Will certainly provide increased capacity for endowed chairs, scholarships, facilities, and programs. Brought Auburn people together around a theme of making Auburn better. Will hear of meeting goal of half a billion dollars, largest fund raiser in history state, but talk of exceeding goal about this time next year. I think already seeing people planning for future. Provided needed momentum. That with scholarships two most significant bench marks for susquentinial year. Dr. Bob McGinnis for his masterful work in providing that leadership

Financial standing and stability. Auburn enjoying best financial standing in years as evidenced by bond rating. Financial reserves. This is a marked changed from just 10 years ago. I was on Board of Trustees at that time. We, as I was on Board of Trustees at that time, result of the sound decisions made by the BoT. They don’t get recognition but have made sound decisions to put university in this position and past presidents. A person who has done a masterful job managing financial affairs at university, including helping me with athletics, is Don Large. Keeps his hands around it. Would point out salary objectives have been met for today. Anticipate salary objectives in next budget, after see what legislature finally does. Didn’t have much in terms of deferred maintenance. Some are very old and need continual upgrading. Don and others have pushed on that very hard. On annual basis, have a plan to upgrade facilities annually. Deferred maintenance objectives have not been met because we keep adding buildings.

The state’s financial conditions has enabled us to enjoy solid appropriations in the past two years. $62million to base allocations. That is so important because for last 20 years allocations not based on a formula Base + 2-3% so getting our base up, will help with future allocations. Obviously, larger base will help. Hopeful, this year, anticipate that base will increase again, so since 2004 increase by about $90 million. I would say that Auburn-Alabama team is still intact and I will do all I can to keep it intact. As you know, always a healthy tension between AU-UA. Confident that state will issue largest bond issue in its history. Auburn will receive a favorable share of that. It will have been 10 years since the last state bond issue for education. If you have an opportunity to thank local legislators, particularly Mike Hubbard and Ted Little, please do so. My only caution is that in ‘09 there has been predicted an economic slow down. Alabama is perfectly positioned if economy is growing from sales and income tax, which make up about 86% of education budget. We have to prepare for ’09 being a tough year. We should budget for that. Not predicting pro-ration, but possibility of substantial reductions. In addition, facilities improvements on campus taking shape. There is a master plan for location and green space. Commend John Moulton for his leadership. I asked him to come as presidential assistant. I was concerned about the major projects and construction and that in my view were beyond our capacity to effectively manage them. John has done a great job trying to get his hands around that and manage. Have good facilities and cost does not accelerate.

Finally, for April 26 and 27 Board of Trustees meeting; April 27th will be the major day. I plan to present these major programs. Have results of pilot programs for Post Tenure Review and Academic Program Review. Those will be presented to the Board. The student assessment, in terms of CLA, Dr. Clark has moved us ahead on this, ahead of the wave in this regard. Have almost 2 years of results and what implications that would have. I would also point out, since have two campuses main campus and AUM. Those topics will be before the AUM committee, if you are interested. Will also put on the Institute for Natural Resources in terms of that structure. I am very please with Larry Filmer, I am very pleased with. Dan Large will put financial guidelines on the table for ’08 giving some idea of what to expect. The legislative session will be over on June 18 so prior to June meeting should know allocations.

Last Board meeting for me, will be June 28 and 29. Again, have results of legislative sessions a bond issue and will know about allocations. Will have Dr. Johnny Green give a dean of students report. Dean Alderman should have final count for scholarship acceptance. We signed papers on Research Park today. Symbolic value but very exciting developments and special allocation in bond issue. And then the airport, I’ve had some harsh things to say about our airport but groundwork for new terminal and so forth through funds with FAA and state allocations and by summer of ’08, should be complete.

Would point out one other thing. The June Board meeting, a president pro tem and release conflict of interest statement. Also, hope by April or June Board meeting replace Charles Ball who moved out of his district. Does take confirmation by the Senate.

I want to commend Provost John Heilman for his work in demonstrating that the Academy can address substantial issues. Has given It (the Academy) credibility it had not previously enjoyed from the Board and others. If we handle, we can fashion it.
In addition, I will make my final presidential comments at the June meeting. Auburn University’s future is bright and I will follow it with interest.

Rich Penaskovic (Chair)—any questions or comments?

Tony Moss (Biological Sciences) You said rejection rate was much higher for incoming students. Could you give feeling in what grades are involved in the cut-off level>

Ed Richardson (President) This is going to be a rule of thumb. Two basic standards used, the GPA and the ACT or SAT. Low end of ACT 22, whereas in past 19. GPA in excess of 3.0 and automatic has been about 3.5 or so. Lowest form of scholarship is 28 with 3.5. Low end 21 or 22 ACT and 3.0 GPA.

David Carter (History) -- Thank you for your remarks and apologize for lack of faculty attendance. Hope we have more in attendance for new president. Thank you for your recent initiative on non-discrimination policy on same sex and those with a different orientation. Last thing I would like to say that next year will be a critical year. As you have asked us to make everything possible to work to ensure new president has opportunity to succeed, in your last remarks to Board of T, strongly encourage you, as Dwight Eisenhower did a quite a visionary fashion, warned the nation some of the dangers he saw the nation facing. Hope you would encourage the Board of Trustees to build on what ever efforts they have made and do everything in their power to insure incoming president has time to find her/his feet, without any assertion of authority.

Ed Richardson (President) Thank you. Two points, will certainly use June to set the stage for next President and make some observations if my own position. I’ve had a unique opportunity, I was prepared to retire last year or year before. I was prepared to take a risk. The next President won’t have that luxury. I will make some statements and observations that will be helpful. Although we have had disagreements on most issues, Dr. Penaskovic and the Senate leadership have worked like champs. The have kept things confidential until appropriate time. On many topics, we are still in disagreement. I would like to thank you Rich for keeping it civil.

Rich Penaskovic (Chair) Thank you Dr. Richardson. I would like to make some remarks.

REMARKS OF RICHARD PENASKOVIC AS OUTGOING CHAIR OF THE AU SENATE AND AU FACULTY
March 13, 2007

I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Chair of the University Senate and University Faculty. The positives certainly outweigh the negatives. I am grateful to my excellent team, the members of the Executive Committee, which has provided me with wise counsel and direction, acting as a sounding board prior to decisions I made on matters crucial to faculty welfare.
Conner Bailey has been an invaluable resource, acting as my mentor last year when he was Chair, and then this year giving me the benefit of his insights and experience. Dave Cicci has been a very good friend, spending many hours on the phone at night, as we struggled to deal with the many tough issues surrounding post-tenure review and academic program review, to name just a few. Ann Beth Presley has been a valuable member of our team, sharing her wisdom while simultaneously helping me retain my sense of humor. Kathryn Flynn has provided me the greatest support this past year serving as de facto Chair of the Rules Committee which is perhaps the most important committee in the entire galaxy of committees at AU. Kathryn has been most diligent in taking minutes for countless committee meetings, making sure they have been posted on the web, overseeing secretarial support, and taking up the slack when I was overloaded with other responsibilities. Thank you, Kathryn.
I am thankful to President Richardson who has taken a firm hand in establishing institutional control and has been very successful with the legislature in Montgomery in securing additional monies so as to keep faculty salaries on a par with the regional average. John Heilman has done this university a great service by carefully building his staff so that the Office of the Provost is a thousand times better than when he took office. The Office of the Provost is now well-positioned so that it can continue to be effective as a new, permanent President comes on board. John has done yeoman service in taking the lead on diversity issues and in communicating with the faculty leaders about academic issues on a weekly basis.
There have been some bumps in the road. We still have not seen any movement toward instituting the Ombudsperson position at AU. If we had such a position the   probability is high that grade-gate would never have made the news. Working with the administration the Senate approved a policy on program review yet, unbeknown to the Senate leadership at the time, another policy was given to the four units under review this year, which policy was not approved by the Senate. One wonders how this squares with shared governance. I am also dismayed that we still do not have a credible sabbatical program for administrators and faculty. This is all the more distressing to me since a major strength of Auburn University is its research programs, particularly into alternative fuels. I find it incomprehensible that a major research university has such a weak sabbatical program when we have a legislature that looks kindly on research efforts that benefit the State of Alabama.
On the brighter side, I look forward to our next President. I would like the next President to combine outstanding scholarship with first-rate people skills. Optimally, the next President will have a collaborative approach to leadership which will serve to restore trust with the faculty. Just as corporations are now hiring leaders who build consensus, as opposed to those with an authoritarian management style, so should Auburn University.
I have a wish list of several items which, if implemented, will hopefully strengthen this university:
1. We need more dialogue between the Board of Trustees and the faculty and/or faculty leadership. The new President should encourage such a dialogue, giving the green light to Board members to meet with faculty, if they wish to do so. There needs to be at least two types of dialogue: 1. a dialogue of the head which concerns theoretical and academic issues, such as the dialogue over Post Tenure Review which I have had with trustee, Sam Ginn; and 2. a dialogue of friendship which I would describe as a meeting of minds based on a friendship that has evolved over years of conversation and the sharing of ideas.
2. For those who follow me as Senate leaders I offer this advice. In any human encounter, particularly over contentious issues, one must strive for a win-win situation, rather than a win-lose situation. I have tried to do this as Senate Chair and I leave it to
others to judge whether or not I have succeeded in this. The Board of Trustees does have the final say, however, and I do not dispute that. I would observe, though, that there’s a paradox connected with the use of power. The more power is used, the weaker it gets.
Faculty, upper administrators, and trustees must see themselves as partners in a dialogue concerned with the greater good of Auburn University, stressing their commonalities rather than their differences.
            3. I think that AU needs to increase its enrollment of graduate students and it may help if they are given health benefits. A strong graduate program attracts top-notch faculty and high quality graduate students all of whom model academic excellence for undergraduates. In my opinion graduate programs have a halo effect, raising the level of our undergraduate programs. The quality of undergraduate education depends on the presence of graduate students since graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) interact in small groups and one-on-one with undergraduates. By conducting experiments and field research, graduate students are an integral part of the research program. I would note that according to a 2001 study by the Alabama Council of Graduate Deans, 80% of AU graduates wind up staying in the State of Alabama thus raising the level of our work force.
4. More emphasis needs to be placed on the sustainability initiative started by Dr. Lindy Biggs in the history Department of History. In this connection “sustainability” means to live intelligently and comfortably within the means of planet Earth to ensure the good life for future generations. Sustainability ought to be a major component of future research, education, and outreach so that the entire AU campus serves as a laboratory for these forward-thinking practices. In this regard I wonder if it is possible and desirable to merge the new Ag Institute with the sustainability initiative. A sustainable campus will educate the entire campus and simultaneously protect the environment and save money for the entire university.
5. Over the past years there has been at AU a certain strained relationship between the Board of Trustees, the upper administration, and the faculty. I feel that all parties need to get over lingering past hurts and move on. We need to scratch from our vocabulary such words as “hostility,” “resentment,” and “grudge.” Remember that no one is entirely bad. We have to accept folks where they are and work from there. Each of us must become an expert in discovering the good in every person. All parties must open themselves to ideas with which they disagree, mindful of the words of Helder Camara when he wrote “If you disagree with me, you have something to give me.”
War Eagle.

If any questions or comments, please feel free to do so

Tony Moss (Biological Sciences) Thank you for excellent work. Forgot to ask Ed Richardson a second question but maybe you or Dr. Heilman could answer it. We had a visit from Messina and Benet last week. I was concerned about what I saw. Most of the report seemed to be quite negative about the University with regard to its competitiveness in many areas and wandered if anything had been added to it to that argument or a more complete study would be done quickly. Concerned, in view of fact a new President is coming in and this report is out there lingering.

Rich Penaskovic (Chair) I read the report thoroughly. That report is a work in progress. I think it Came out in October of ’06. The Senate leadership received it a few weeks ago. That report is only the beginning. It points out strengths and weaknesses of the institution. It is going to be revised and be helpful. This is very encouraging sign that Board and President were willing to get this outside team. These consultants are probably the best I’ve seen in the 23 years I’ve been at the institution. Think will really have an impact on our Strategic Plan which will probably be the number one priority of the new President.

John Heilman (Provost) Thank you very much Rich. It is very important to understand what the report is and is not. It is not a Strategic Plane. It is an empirical assessment of the environment in which we at Auburn University find ourselves at the beginning of the 21st century. It is a sobering assessment. My thought is that is information we have got to have. I agree this is a work in progress but the facts are as they have been laid out by careful and diligent work Messina and Benet, and Rich I agree, these are very able folks. The nettle is on the table and the question is will we grasp it. If we don’t, no one will.

Rich Penaskovic (Chair) Would like to call Bill Trimble President of the local AAUP to announce the winner of the Academic Freedom Award for 2007.

Bill Trimble (AAUP) I really appreciate you making the time in the agenda. This is the 14th year the local chapter has given this award. Recognizing astounding individual contributions to academic freedom and principles of the AAUP and I should add that these principles of the AAUP are those of the are faculty and University. Glad to announce that this year’s winner is Dr. Christa Slaten from Political Science. Would like to quote from the email that nominated her “All of those who have stood up on this campus and as the saying goes, ‘spoken truth to power,’ Christa Slaten has been perhaps the fieriest and most fearless. Christa is a skilled mediator whose career has been based on bringing justice and equity to unequal parties. All faculty members are or should be public servants. But Christa is the embodiment of those ideals spending months in places like Union Springs, AL and now creating and spearheading a College of Liberal Arts program aimed at creating intelligent aware voters.” Christa is not here because she is doing just this kind of work with Jay Lamar. Many may not know about her selfless work on University and College committees, including the Rules committee, which I know takes a great deal of time and her almost ridiculous pace of scholarship, speaking engagements and teaching. In her role as committed and vocal AAUP president, you may remember those days—Jet-gate scandal, removal of President Walker, Ed Richardson’s appointment, to removal of SACS probation. She was often the target of criticism. One camp said too strident, while the other side not being more outspoken. She handled the situation with courage and grace. She keeps working harder. No one more richly deserves this Academic Freedom award more than Christa, because in spite of it all, Christa maintained her integrity, honesty and principles. Continued to work toward Auburn University’s academic excellence. Stood up for shared governance and though foremost about her students and colleagues. Christa is what this award is all about. She is a true believer. Our sincerest congratulations for this award. Paul Starr accepting the award.

Paul Starr (Sociology) I’ve been waiting my whole life to say Thanks to the Academy for this award. It is well deserved. We’ll make sure gets it to Christa.

Rich Penaskovic (Now, Immediate Past Chair) I would like to call forward David Cicci, who will now take over as chair and hand over this gavel. Which he can use if anybody gets out of hand.

David Cicci (Chair) Would like to make a few remarks. I would like to thank Rich for being such a great mentor this past year. As chair of this body, will do my best to keep you informed on all issues. Will welcome your input and rely on your wisdom and guidance. As far as the results of the elections, congratulations go to Sue Barry as Secretary-Elect and Bob Locy as Chair-Elect.

Any unfinished business?

Any new business?

Any objection to adjournment?

We are adjourned.