Dear Faculty Colleagues,
I am writing to share an update on the next steps in Auburn’s academic advisory council transition and to ask for your continued attention and engagement as this work moves forward. Following the announcement of the Board policies, our immediate focus is to implement the transition carefully, keep the University’s academic work moving without interruption, and ensure faculty expertise remains part of the process. Please review the information below, look for future updates, and continue to share your perspective through the appropriate committees, councils, and opportunities for consultation as they arise.
Guiding Principles for Implementation
Under President Roberts’ direction, this work is being organized to maintain continuity, provide clarity, and support orderly processes. It will include matters related to procedures, committee work, curriculum, syllabi, and academic consultation. We will move through these steps deliberately, with respect for Auburn’s academic mission and for the faculty and administrative colleagues who will help carry the work forward.
Ad Hoc Transition Advisory Team
An Ad Hoc Transition Advisory Team has been established to support transition planning and implementation. This team will advise on immediate next steps, help maintain continuity across academic processes, and identify matters that need additional attention as Auburn moves into the new advisory framework. The members of the Ad Hoc Transition Advisory Team are:
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Angela Wiley, Professor and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs
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Ash Abebe, William P. Molette Professor and Interim Dean of the Graduate School
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J. Brian Anderson, Professor, Graduate Program Officer, and Associate Chair for Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ginn College of Engineering
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Jason Bryant, Clinical Professor, Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology; Director, Truman Pierce Institute, College of Education
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Jason Hicks, Dean and Professor, College of Liberal Arts
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Jeffrey LaMondia, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ginn College of Engineering
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Jeremy Wolter, Colonel George Phillips Privett Professor, Department of Marketing, Harbert College of Business
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Luke Oeding, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Sciences and Mathematics
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Vini Nathan, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Executive Rules and Steering Sub-Council
The Executive Rules and Steering Sub-Council has also been formed to provide coordination and continuity during this period. Its work will include preparing academic advisory matters, coordinating committee work, reviewing procedural questions, and helping determine how matters should be referred for consideration. As described in the AU BOT Policy on the Presidential Academic Advisory Council, Section VIII, Leadership and Meetings, and with the approval of the President, the members of the Executive Rules and Steering Sub-Council for AY 2026–2027 include:
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Vini Nathan, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair
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Jason Bryant, Clinical Professor, Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology; Director, Truman Pierce Institute, College of Education, Vice Chair
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Sunny Stalter-Pace, Hargis Professor of American Literature, Department of English, College of Liberal Arts, Secretary
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J. Brian Anderson, Professor, Graduate Program Officer, and Associate Chair for Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ginn College of Engineering, Vice Chair-Elect
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Rebecca Riggs, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences and Mathematics, Secretary-Elect
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Virginia Davis, Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breedon Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ginn College of Engineering, Past Vice Chair and ex officio member
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Angela Wiley, Professor and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, ex officio member
Continuing Academic Committees
Several previous committees will continue their work until further notice so the University’s regular academic responsibilities can proceed. The relevant chairs have been informed and have been asked to communicate with their committee members. These committees remain important to academic operations, timelines, and responsibilities during the transition and include:
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Academic Computing
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Academic Standards
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Calendar and Schedules
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Core Curriculum and General Education Committee
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Curriculum
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Faculty Research
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Graduate Council
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Retention
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Teaching Effectiveness
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University Writing
As implementation continues, the name, composition, structure, scope, and responsibilities of these committees may be reviewed and revised to align with Board policy and the new academic advisory structure. Until additional direction is provided, their continued work remains important to the University’s day-to-day academic functions.
Related Academic Efforts
A number of related academic efforts are also moving forward. Mark DeGoti (Professor of Music and SACSCOC Liaison) and Asim Ali (Executive Director, Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning) are leading the work associated with the Syllabus Repository and will communicate separately and directly with faculty about that process.
Core Curriculum matters will be led by Chase Bringardner (Professor and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and Chair of the Core Curriculum and General Education Committee) and Jeffrey LaMondia (Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Co-Chair of the Core Review Committee), working with members of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and the Core Curriculum and General Education Committee, and joined by Jason Hicks, Dean and Professor of the College of Liberal Arts, and Ed Thomas, Dean and Professor of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Additional information will be shared as this work develops.
Faculty colleagues are encouraged to use the transition website for updates, timelines, instructions, and related materials. The site will be updated as additional information becomes available and may be accessed here: https://auburn.edu/administration/governance/aac/.
I am grateful to the faculty and administrative colleagues who have agreed to serve during this transition, to those leading the work related to the syllabus repository and core curriculum, and to the chairs and members of the committees helping keep Auburn’s academic responsibilities moving forward. I appreciate the time, judgment, and care that so many colleagues are bringing to this work. Thank you for your continued engagement and for the many ways you support our students, faculty, and University.
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