Room 217, James E. Foy Student Union Building
Michael Miller, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:08 p. m. Miller thanked Robert Gottesman for his work as Chair of the AP Assembly for the 1997-98 year.
Representatives present: Joe Aderholdt, John Asmuth, Thina Biblis, Jane Goff, Robert Gottesman, Ellyn Hix, Mickie Jacob, Scott Kaak, Jack Lawton, Michael Miller, Donna Mitcham, Larry Moore, Ed People, Kevin Robinson, Janine Slick, Mary Lou Smith, Tom Sparrow, Burnette Tolbert, Teresa Vest
The minutes from the August 04, 1998 meeting were reviewed. Errors were pointed out for corrections. Ellyn Hix moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. Jack Lawton seconded the motion and it carried.
Miller asked that each assembly member verify his/her data on a member list . After corrections have been made, a revised member list will be issued. The purpose of the list is to facilitate communication between members.
Miller asked the assembly to verify the AP Assembly and Committee Membership list. Corrections were indicated, and Miller moved that the Assembly approve the list as amended. The motion carried. Miller reported that the committees need to elect chairs.
Miller welcomed Dr. William Walker, interim Provost and Vice-president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Walker commented that President Muse regarded the state of the University as "not bad". He cited positive indicators such as a large freshman class, an increased enrollment of minorities and students in the Honors College, an all-time high level of fund-raising from the private sector, and an average of an 8.5% pay raise. AU continues to be recognized for it efficiency. However, after numerous requests for tuition increases, the Board of Trustees (BOT) wanted operating costs reviewed. Dr. Muse prioritized raising faculty salaries to 95% of regional faculty salaries. Also, select areas would be designated with high funding priority in order to enhance national recognition. Both objectives would be accomplished by raising tuition to the regional average, increasing the percentage of out-of-state students paying out-of-state tuition, increasing appropriated funds to compensate for inflationary effects, and internally reallocating a percentage of funds. The BOT approved these objectives and Administration is carrying out the mandate.
Proposals have been received for institutional reorganization and the10% cut in budget to occur over a 5-year period by the departments has been identified by the deans/directors. On 11/06/98, the Commission will present Dr. Muse with their recommendations. The following meetings are scheduled:
In closing, Dr. Walker commented that time constraints have been tight and that the President intends to suggest that more time is needed to gather additional data/input/feedback from the faculty/staff. Dr. Walker opened the floor for questions. Questions and answers followed.
Miller gave reports on the status of ad hoc committees. The Constitution Review Committee is looking at the constitution. The Handbook Ad Hoc Committee is looking for the corrections to the handbook as amended and approved by the Assembly. Darwin Liverance indicated that the Assembly's revisions will be incorporated in a draft by October 29 with redistribution to follow. The Grievance Ad Hoc Committee has tabled everything until early 1999.
Miller gave a report on University committees. Lynne Hammond is updating the AU Committees pamphlet. Miller recapped the committees on which the Assembly sought representation and their resolution, if any.
New Business: The next scheduled meeting is to be determined.
Mitcham moved for the meeting to adjourn and was seconded by Gottesman. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna D. Mitcham
Proposed Amendment No. 3: This amendment will have a direct impact on AU, if passed on 11/03/98.
Higher Education Partnership: : This group is organizing to better unify Alabama's 4-year institutions in the Capital.
Academic Affairs committee: An agenda item is the employee tuition benefit when AU converts to the semester system. The current proposal is one course per semester up to 4 semester hours. Discussion followed.
Alternate Calendar in the Auburn City Schools (ACS): The floor was opened for discussion on how an ACS alternative calendar would it mesh with AU's calendar and its impact on the AP members as managers/administration. Discussions included a possible resolution to ask ACS to wait until AU goes to the semester system, concern due to potential impact on the employee force for management purposes, a possible survey to determine the impact on the AP member, and communication with others to coordinate/combine efforts. Miller will follow-up with other AU governance groups to see what they are doing.
AP Standing committees: Miller states that annual reports are due; each committee chair will give a report at each regularly scheduled AP Assembly meeting.
Areas for improvement: Miller brought up that communication within Assembly can be improved by attendance at meetings, a mailing list with AP employees with a viable mailing address, using assembly@mail.auburn.edu and updating the Assembly web page.