Administrative & Professional Assembly

Auburn University

April 22, 1997 - 3:00 p.m.

Room 213, James E. Foy Union Building

Shawn Corrigan Asmuth, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Representatives present: Shawn Asmuth, Beth Bailey, Fred Bobo, Elizabeth Cromwell, Kim Durbin, Carl Gagliano, Jane Goff, Robert Gottesman, Ellyn Hix, Angie Jacobs, Jack Lawton, Minnie Melton, Michael Miller, Donna Mitcham, David Moncus, Kevin Robinson, Jim Stone, and Ted Trupp.

Asmuth welcomed Beth Bailey from the Alumni & Development Office, who is replacing Alesia Davenport on the Assembly.

The minutes from the January 21 meeting were reviewed. Lawton moved that the minutes be accepted. Moncus seconded and the motion carried. The minutes from the called meeting on February 3 were also reviewed. Gottesman moved that the minutes be accepted. Miller seconded and the motion carried.

Asmuth introduced Dr. Paul Parks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Auburn University. Dr. Parks reported on the process of the quarter to semester transition, beginning with a history of events that led up to the final decision to move to the semester system. Auburn University is one of the last major universities to move to the semester system.

It will take about three years for the transition. The target is for Fall of 2000. Dr. Christine Curtis from Chemical Engineering has been appointed to head up the transition. There is also a University Transition committee, with about 47 members, that acts as a hearing committee. This committee is comprised of representatives from the Presidential and Provost areas, Academic Advisors, Administrative Services, Alumni & Development, Business Office, representatives from the University Senate, Student Affairs, and the community (Mayor’s office).

The Executive Transition committee is a working committee that meets weekly and is chaired by Dr. Parks. The committee representatives include Christine Curtis, John Grover, Don Large, Bettye Burkhalter, Carol Daron, Stewart Schneller, Susan Allen, two faculty representatives and a student representative.

Dr. Parks entertained questions from the Assembly. Asmuth told us that Susan Allen had brought to her attention that one of the transition documents did not originally mention the Administrative and Professional employee group, but they were able to correct that. Asmuth noted that the A&P professionals are well represented on the transition committee, so if there are any concerns, we should voice them.

Old Business:

Asmuth updated the Assembly on the Presidential Committees. Bruce Lewis presented the recommendations of the ad hoc committee at the Senate meeting on February 11. The change in name from University committees to Presidential committees was approved, but there was some disagreement with the wording of committees where it was changed to read Faculty or A&P. This issue was revisited at the March 11 Senate meeting, but failed to pass as proposed and was returned to the ad hoc committee.

Gary Swanson has suggested we go ahead and get nominations for all committees. The Nominations and Elections committee is working on this now. Asmuth passed around a copy of a memo written to Dr. Muse asking him to include A&P representation on those 1997-98 committees for which specific seats were proposed for A&P employees.

Asmuth reported that she had appointed and seated two ad hoc committees to look at issues concerning the policies and procedures manual and an A&P handbook. The Policy committee is chaired by Mary Ellen Hendrix and includes Nancy Bernard, Fred Bobo, Billy Earle, Ralph Foster, Vivian Larkin, Jack Lawton, and Janet Sugg. The Handbook committee is chaired by Kevin Robinson and is made up of members including Dennis Block, Sheila Duffield, Mike Harris, Janice Johnson, Angie Lowry, Jim Mitchell, David Moncus, Kerry Ransel, and Melvin Smith. Asmuth asked for a report from the Policy committee by early June.

New Business:

Asmuth has requested permanent funding for the A&P Assembly in the amount of $1,000 for FY ’98.

Auburn University is sponsoring a Family Fun Day to be held on Thursday, June 5. The time will be from 2:00-6:00 p.m. This is a project that is being sponsored by Personnel. Everyone is encouraged to attend, as the University will close around 2:00 p.m.

There is a new program called the Purchasing Card with SunTrust Visa. There will be an informative

session in 213 Foy Union on May 12 at 9:00 a.m.

Angie Jacobs is resigning from Auburn University. Asmuth informed the Assembly there will be a called meeting to elect a Secretary for the remainder of the year. Asmuth will appoint someone to fill the allocated spot on the Assembly with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

The next scheduled meeting will be Friday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. in 213 Foy where the Executive Committee for next year will be elected.

At Moncus motioned for adjournment. Gagliano seconded and the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Angie Jacobs

Secretary