Minutes of the Auburn University Steering Committee

March 27, 2014
Samford Hall 206

Present: Chair Larry Crowley; Secretary Judy Sheppard; Chair-Elect Patricia Duffy; Secretary-Elect Gisela Bushle-Diller; Immediate Past Chair William Sauser; Chair-Elect Larry Teeter; Secretary-Elect Laura Plexico; Mike Baginiski; Provost Tim Boosinger; Associate Provost Emmett Winn.

Dr. Crowley called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. The minutes from the March 6 meeting were approved.

Dr. Beth Guertal, chair of the Auburn University Faculty Welfare and Salaries Committee, previewed her presentation for the April 7 Senate meeting.

Through a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Guertal explained that her committee had checked a number of universities to compare Auburn University’s parental leave policies. Because schools define leave policies so differently and differ so widely, the committee will continue its research. Federal law (FMLAETC) requires eligible workers to receive 12 job-ensured unpaid weeks a year for family or health reasons. AU also offers a Salary Continuation Plan that runs concurrently with the FMLAETC. These leaves may be combined with the use of sick leave or annual leave in some cases at varying degrees of pay. All such leaves are coordinated through Human Resources.

The steering committee then discussed the ways that Melissa Baumann, who was not present, could best present the Honors College to the Senate on April 8.

Dr. Baginski said the presentation should cover why it exists, what its benefits are and how the honors courses benefit students. Dr. Duffy said that she would like to hear an explanation about the faculty who teach honors courses are selected or assigned. Ms. Sheppard asked about how much more should be expected of an honors student versus a non-honors student.

The committee adjourned at 4:20 p.m.