Minutes
General Faculty Meeting, October 25, 2022, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom.

3:30pm: The Chair, Mark Carpenter, called the meeting to order,

3:32:48pm: The minutes for the General Faculty meeting on March 29, 2022 min-fac-03-29-22 (auburn.edu) were approved by unanimous consent.

3:34pm: The Chair introduced President Christopher Roberts and Interim-Provost Vini Nathan to give their remarks and announcements on Auburn University matters.

President Roberts spoke about the 12 NSF Early Career Development awards in 2022 at AU, the recent US News and World Report’s University Rankings, the 54 new and/or reinstated endowed chairs at Auburn, updates on admissions and student enrollment, the $236 million in research awards, new capital projects, the Presidential DEI Advisory Committee, the uptick in fund raising, the AU endowment and the grand opening of the Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville, AL.

3:50:31pm: Interim-Provost Vini Nathan spoke about the start of the search for the Dean of Engineering, the on-going Dean searches in COSAM and Pharmacy, and the action/information items to be brought to the Board of Trustees meeting on November 11th,2022.

3:53pm: Matthew Hoch, President Auburn University Chapter of the AAUP, provided a message from the AAUP. presentation (pdf).  After the presentation, Senator Roy Hartfield asked about the AAUP’s positions on recent issues concerning academic freedom at AU. A discussion ensued about social media screening, faculty background checks, and the significant increases in benefits costs for health care. Luke Oeding and Mitchell Brown, also of the AAUP, joined in the discussion.

4:01pm: Karen Baytte, Registrar, gave an update on the Spring 2023 Final Exam Schedule, exam schedule spring 2023 (pdf)

4:06pm: Joffrey Gaymon, Vice President for Enrollment, gave an update on the Presidential Task Force for Opportunity and Equity, Task Force Progress (pdf).  Upon conclusion of the presentation, Ralph Kingston, History, asked a question related to faculty recruitment into DEI activities. Dr. Gaymon said the task force is coordinating with the Senate DEI committee and the Auburn Black Caucus.

4:16pm: Dan King, Associate VP, Facilities Administration, gave an update on university capital projects, presentation (pdf). After the conclusion, Senator Tony Moss asked why there were plans to eliminate Funchess Hall. Dan indicated that it is too expensive to maintain and/or renovate.  Kathleen Martin asked what type of classrooms would be in the new buildings. Dan said he would get back with Kathleen with more information. Asim Ali, Biggio Center, spoke about the classrooms and lab spaces in the new ACLC building.  

4:31:38pm: Ann Shore, Exec Dir, Benefits and Payroll-Human Resources, gave an update on open enrollment, Open Enrollment A&P/Staff (pdf). At the conclusion of the presentation, David Mixson, Luke Oeding, and Brian Anderson asked questions of Ann Shore.

New Business
4:59:43pm: Luke Oeding made a motion to adopt a resolution calling for the immediate revision of the policy on background checks. Senator Roy Hartfield seconded the motion.  The chair restated the motion and announced that the motion will be taken up in the Spring 2023 General Faculty Meeting.  

5:07pm: Meeting was adjourned.