Dear Faculty Colleagues,
I am writing this week to share updates on key strands of implementation-related work and what you can expect next. These efforts remain focused on maintaining academic continuity, supporting faculty participation, and preparing for governance conversations that will carry into the fall semester.
The Executive Steering and Rules (ESR) Sub-Council met for the first time last week, with additional meetings of this group already on the calendar. Its initial attention is on academic committee vacancies and the steps needed to identify colleagues whose experience and responsibilities fit those assignments. The group will then turn to acceptable election process options for this coming year for faculty from each college (and the Auburn Libraries) to serve as elected members on the Presidential Academic Advisory Council (“Council”).
The ESR sub-council is also preparing for the two Presidential Academic Advisory Council meetings expected this fall. To make these discussions easier to follow, ESR Sub-Council agendas and summaries will be posted on the website. Council Secretary, Dr. Sunny Stalter-Pace, will provide additional information about the election process options, logistics, and related matters as those details are finalized.
The Ad Hoc Transition Task Force met last week as well. That group is reviewing academic committees with attention to how each committee’s responsibilities fit within the sub-council structure described in the Board policy. Agendas and summaries related to the task force’s work will also be posted on the website.
Beginning next month, I look forward to visiting with faculty by department. Department heads and chairs are assisting with scheduling these conversations. I welcome the opportunity to hear directly from colleagues about academic priorities, this process, and other topics that would benefit from discussion at the departmental level.
As these efforts move forward, I encourage you to review the posted materials, participate in election processes as they are announced, and use the departmental meetings as another opportunity to offer perspectives and ideas.
I appreciate the faculty members, department heads and chairs, committee members, council and task force members, deans, and other academic leaders who are helping guide these efforts with care. While the activities described above will proceed, my updates will take a brief hiatus before resuming in August.
Thank you for the thoughtful commitment that you bring to our students, our colleagues, and Auburn’s academic mission. | 
