Auburn University Steering Committee
Minutes
Thursday, February 5, 2015
206 Samford Hall

Present: Larry Teeter (Chair-Elect), Larry Crowley (Immediate-Past Chair), Gisela Buschle-Diller (Secretary),  Laura Plexico (Secretary-Elect), Emily Myers, Sara Wolf, Keven Yost, Mike Baginski, Constance Relihan, James Goldstein, Emmett Winn
Absent: Patricia Duffy (Chair)

The minutes of the Steering Committee meeting from January 22, 2015, were approved without modifications.

The February Senate meeting was briefly discussed. The general consensus was that the discussions on the Action Items as well as on the athletic tickets had been productive. Three candidates for the Rules Committee were nominated for the three available slots. It was decided to put the entire slate forward for vote at the March Senate meeting, unless there are concerns from the floor.

The tentative agenda for the Senate meeting on March 3rd, 2015, was the next point of discussion. Besides the vote for the new Rules Committee members, the Academic Calendar Committee is scheduled to present. However, at this point the Committee Chair has not yet confirmed. As Pending Action Item, James Goldstein will introduce revisions to the Faculty Handbook. James Goldstein briefly explained the proposed revision to Chapter 3.7.1 and 3.7.2. As Information Item a presentation on “This is Research 2015” (formerly Research Week) is planned to be given by Jennifer Kerpelman and/or Lorraine Wolf.

The next item on the Steering Committee agenda was the tentative agenda for the General Faculty meeting on March 10. At this meeting the results of the election of Senate officers will be announced, the Glenn Howze Academic Freedom Award presented, and a report from the Office of the Ombudsman given.

A specially called Senate meeting will be held on March 31 and dedicated entirely to the report of the ad hoc Strategic Budget Committee. The Senate resolution to form this committee and its charge can be found in the June 2014 Senate meeting minutes and transcript. The meeting will be held in 238 Broun Hall as usual.

It was further suggested to ask the Chair of the Salaries and Welfare Committee to make a short presentation on the benefits of emeritus professors at one of the upcoming regular Senate meetings. Another question that was raised related to Digital Measures. Currently Chairs and Department Heads handle the use of Digital Measures at their discretion.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.