Message from President William F. Walker

["President's Office" <auemail@mail.auburn.edu>]

June 3, 2002

Dear Members of the Auburn Community:

As you may be aware, Auburn University's Board of Trustees voted
today to remove the term "interim" from my title.  Their reasoning was
that a period of several years of interim administration would weaken
this institution to an unacceptable degree.

I agree with that judgment, and therefore have chosen to accept the
Board's decision. I am mindful of the responsibility that attaches to
this action, and will spare no effort to strengthen the university.

It is clear that some members of the Auburn Community view the
Board's action as inappropriate. I respect the concerns these
colleagues have expressed, even though my assessment of the issues
involved differs from theirs.

I know also that other members of the Auburn Community agree with the
course the Board has chosen; I am deeply grateful for the many
expressions of support that I have received.

I would call attention to other actions the Board took today. Among
them is the initiation of a broad program of institution-building
measures based on the recommendations of Dr. Bill Weary.

I see the project of rebuilding the "commons" as central to the
university's vitality over the next ten to fifteen years. If we engage
it in a thoughtful and committed fashion, this process can serve as an
engine for institutional renewal.

Further, it is my clear expectation, and very strong hope, that these
activities will position Auburn to undertake a highly successful search
for her next president, along the lines set forth in the Board
resolution. I will do all in my power to help these efforts succeed. I
will not be a candidate in that search.

The themes of rebuilding the commons and strengthening institutional
capacity underlie many of the specific issues that surfaced at today's
meeting and in the period of public deliberation that preceded it. Among
these themes are the financial robustness of the institution; our
relationship with SACS; the filling of the many interim positions that
currently exist at the level of deans and above; progress toward our
shared goal of competitive salaries; and, faculty representation on the
Board of Trustees.

In terms of the latter issue, the Trustees today initiated a formal,
consultative review of the proposal to seat a faculty member in a
non-voting capacity. I have repeatedly endorsed this concept, and am
gratified that the Board has taken this step.

With respect to the other issue areas just mentioned, my thinking
resonates well with the kinds of proposals set forth in the recent
resolution proposed by the Senate leadership. In the coming days I will
send separate messages speaking to these topics.

For now, the many expressions of support that have come to me are most
sustaining, and most appreciated.

Sincerely,

William F. Walker
President