Minutes of the University Senate Meeting
18 January 2011
3:00 p.m.
Broun Hall Auditorium
Submitted by
Russ Muntifering, Secretary



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A complete transcription of the meeting is available.
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Present: Claire Crutchley, Ann Beth Presley, Russ Muntifering, Larry Crowley, Kathryn Flynn, Gregg Newschwander, Betty Lou Whitford, Timothy Boosinger, Anne-Katrin Gramberg, George Flowers, Mary Ellen Mazey, Bonnie MacEwan, Andrew Wohrley, Robin Jaffe, Nedret Billor, Andrew McLelland, Winfred Foster, Norbert Wilson, Sondra Parmer, Scott McElroy, Werner Bergen, Barbara Kemppainen, Jocelyn Zanzot, Gary Wagoner, Paul Swamidass, Anthony Moss, Yifen Wang, Evert Duin, Prabhakar Clement, Robert Agne, Sanjeev Baskiyar, Wi-Suk Kwon, Michael Stern, James Goldstein, Xing Ping Hu, Russell Wright, John Mazaheri, Larry Teeter, Fenny Dane, Ellen Abell, Shea Tillman, Jerry David, Jared Russell, Pambanisha King, Bill Sauser, Herb Rotfeld, Tin-Yau Tam, Bart Prorok, Stuart Pope, Suresh Matthews, Monica DeTure, Vicky van Santen, Wesley Lindsey, Guy Rohrbaugh, Mike Bozack, Steven Brown, Yasser Gowayed, Shelly McKee, Chris Correia, Annette Kluck, Emily Myers, Heather May, Ralph Henderson 
Absent, sending a substitute: Puneet Srivatrava (for William Batchelor), Amit Mitra (for Bill Hardgrave), Velma Richardson (for Chuck Svarda), Lane Sauser (for James Bannon), J. Mark Taylor (for Paul Holley), Theresa McCormick (for Charles Eick), Dan Gropper (for Keven Yost), Charles Israel (for Ruth Crocker), Salisa Westrick (for Jan Kavookjian), Patrick Bass (for Joseph Fetsch), Kythia Stofer (for Richard Fox)
Absent, no substitute: Lee Evans, Kurt Sasser, Joel Hunter, David Hennessey, James Wright, Ronald Neuman, Daniel Phillips, James Witte, Michael Baginski, Doug Rosener, Forrest Smith, David King, Doug Rosener, Forrest Smith, Richard Hoerner
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Call to Order:
--Claire Crutchley called the meeting to order, and a quorum was confirmed.
-- Minutes from the November 16, 2010 meeting  (https://auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/website/minutes/2010_2011/min_11_16_10.html ) were accepted as posted without change.

Remarks and Announcements:
Dr. Large, representing Dr. Gogue and the Office of the President, presented several items.
-- During his recent trip to China, President Obama pledged to send 100,000 students to China over the next four years. How might Auburn University contribute toward accomplishment of this goal?
-- The US Department of State has announced awards to 10 Fulbright Scholars for 2010-2011 from Alabama, 5 of which are from Auburn University.
-- Ethics legislation passed by the Alabama Legislature will go into effect in March 2011, and much work has yet to be done on interpretation and communication of the legislation as pertains to Auburn University personnel; the matter is being reviewed by Legal Counsel.
-- It is conceivable that Auburn University could experience a spike in applications and enrollments for Fall 2011 on the heels of winning the BCS National Football Championship.
-- Additional cuts to the University operating budget are possible, given the uncertainty of the current economic situation.

Dr. Mazey (Office of the Provost) presented several items.
-- She thanked Patricia Duffy for her excellent service as Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate studies and announced the internal search for a full-time, 12-month administrative position of Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies.
-- Four finalists for the position of Dean of the College Architecture, Design and Construction will visit campus during the last week of January and first week of February.
--An Efficiency Task Force has been seated and will work toward identifying and implementing means of improving efficiency of university operations.

Comments from the Chair:
-- The Senate Officer Nominating Committee is chaired by Laura Plexico (Communications Disorders). Nominations for new Senate officers whose terms will commence in Fall 2011 should be forwarded to Laura Plexico, Claire Crutchley or Russ Muntifering.
-- Nominations for new members of Rules Committee whose terms will commence in Fall 2011 will be accepted from the floor at the February 8 meeting of University Senate.
-- University Research Council has formed a steering committee that includes representation by  faculty leadership.
-- The Blackboard Vista licensing agreement is scheduled for expiration in January 2013.

Action Items:
-- DeWayne Searcy (School of Accountancy), Chair of Academic Standards Committee, presented and Robin Jaffe (Theatre), Steering Committee, motioned to adopt a proposal for a New U-SN-SA Grading Policy (https://auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/website/agendas/2010-2011/Jan11/U-SN-SAgradePolicy.html ). The proposal passed by a vote of 57 yes, 2 no.

--DeWayne Searcy presented and Stuart Pope (Nursing) motioned to adopt a proposed Modification of the Undergraduate Distance Learning Policy (https://auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/website/agendas/2010-2011/Jan11/DistanceEdProposal.html ). Scott McElroy motioned and Andy McLelland (School of Accountancy) seconded for postponement of further discussion and action on this item until the February 7, 2011 meeting of University Senate. The motion to postpone was passed by a vote of 51 yes, 11 no.

--DeWayne Searcy presented and Andy McLelland motioned to adopt a proposed Modification of the Retroactive Withdrawal Policy (LINK to .docx file already linked to meeting agenda). The proposal passed by a vote of 60 yes, 2 no.

 

Information items:
-- Michelle Sidler (English) and Pamela Ulrich (Consumer Affaiars), Co-Chairs of Core Curriculum and General Education Committee, presented an update on committee activities (PowerPoint file).

-- Tracy Donald, Director of  Disability Services, presented an update on the Program for Students with Disabilities (PowerPoint file).


Unfinished business:

None

New business:
None

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.