Acts of the Senate

September 2004 -  October 1994

 

Quick Links to items of Special Interest

Grade Inflation Report
Grant-in-Aid Program Revisions (Initial Proposal) (Approved Version)
Harassment Policy
Internet Access Policy
Resolution)
Retirees' Health Insurance
Semesters Versus Quarters: (Approval of Change) (Resolution)
Special Admissions (Resolution) (Recommendations by Task Force)

2003-2004
75-Day Calendar
University Committee Presentation (a PowerPoint file)


Note: Acts of the Senate are listed below in reverse chronological order.

September 7, 2004

RESOLUTION ON DIVERSITY AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY

 

September 7, 2004

WHEREAS, diversity in all its forms fosters an environment where creative scholarship can flourish, and

 

WHEREAS, a prime responsibility of Auburn University is to prepare students to succeed in a world where success increasingly depends on the ability to communicate and function effectively in an increasingly interconnected world, and

 

WHEREAS, a Strategic Diversity Plan has been prepared but not yet released, and

 

WHEREAS, Auburn University has made important strides but has not as yet accomplished its stated goal of instilling diversity as a core value of its culture, as witnessed by the proportionately small numbers of African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American and other minorities on the faculty or in senior administrative positions on this campus, and

 

WHEREAS, similarly the small number of women on the faculty and in senior administrative positions belies Auburn University’s commitment to diversity both to the university community and our state and nation, and

 

WHEREAS, Interim President Ed Richardson has reaffirmed Auburn University’s commitment to diversity as a core campus value, and

 

WHEREAS, the recent staff changes within the central administration of Auburn University have actually decreased the overall diversity of the administration, and

 

WHEREAS, Auburn University’s Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity office, prior to August 2004 an autonomous unit reporting to the Executive Vice-President, is now housed within the Office of Human Resources, with the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources designated as the University’s chief AA/EEO officer,

 

THEREFORE, the University Senate asks Dr. Richardson to release the Strategic Diversity Plan, present it to the University Senate at its October 12, 2004 meeting along with a strategy for implementing this Plan.   

 

 

 

June 8, 2004

Be it resolved that Article 6, Section 3, of the University Senate Constitution be revised as follows:

 

1)  The quorum for the Grievance Committee shall consist of a majority of the elected membership, rather than the current super-majority of 2/3rds.

 

2)  Committee members who cannot attend the meeting to review the case are allowed to cast absentee votes on whether or not a hearing is merited after examination of the material sent to the Grievance Committee concerning the case. 

 

3)  Absentee votes will not count toward the quorum.

 

 

 

December 11, 2003

The Senate censured President William Walker.

The Senate voted “no confidence” in President William Walker.

The Senate rejected a resolution calling for President William Walker to resign.

 

October 14, 2003

The Senate approved the Academic Computing Committee’s “Recommendations Regarding Purchasing Agreement.”

The Senate passed a resolution asking Senator Lowell Barron to resign from the Board of Trustees.

 

September 9, 2003

The Senate passed a resolution commending the Trustee Selection Committee for completing its work.

The Senate approved the Report on the Research and Scholarship Incentive Plan.

 

July 8, 2003

The Senate passed changes to definitions of student course loads.

 

June 10, 2003

The Senate approved the Rules Committee appointments for the last three 2003/04 Senate committees.

 

May 6, 2003

The Senate passed a Classroom Behavior Policy.

The Senate passed a resolution commending the Swimming and Diving teams’ academic achievements.

The Senate approved the Rules Committee appointments for sixteen of the 2003/04 Senate committees.

 

April 8, 2003

The Senate passed revisions to the composition and charge of the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee.

The Senate passed a resolution asking the Trustee Selection Committee to quickly identify three candidates to replace the outgoing trustees.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
March 9, 2003

The Senate elected three new Rules Committee members.

The Senate endorsed the Student Governance Association’s Oath of Honor.

The Senate approved changes to the Student Grievance Committee procedures.

The Senate approved the Intimate Relations Policy.

 

 

April 2, 1996:
  • The Senate gave its final approval to the academic calendar proposed by the Calendar & Schedules Committee for 1997-1998, after approving an amendment that moved the last day of Fall Quarter classes from Thursday, December 4 to Friday, December 5. An amendment that would have delayed the start of Fall Quarter 1997 by one day (to September 24) was rejected. (4/2/96)
  • The Senate gave its preliminary approval to the proposed calendar for 1998-1999, after moving the last day of Fall Quarter 1998 from Thursday, December 3 to Friday, December 4. (4/2/96)
  • The Senate endorsed recommendations proposed by Paula Backscheider of the Retention Crossfunctional Team, and approved formation of a new standing Senate committee on Student Retention. (4/2/96)
  • A resolution "applauding" members of the A.U. Board of Trustees for their "spirited advocacy" of Auburn University at the Board meeting on March 6, 1996, was adopted by the Senate after amendment to include praise of President Muse for his actions at that meeting. (4/2/96)

    • March 12, 1996:
  • The Senate accepted a proposal by the A.U. Admissions Office to re-center SAT scores used for admission to Auburn University. (3/12/96)
  • The report and recommendations of the Senate Task Force on Special Admissions were accepted by the Senate after withdrawal of a motion to refer them back to the Task Force for revision. (3/12/96)
  • Changes in the Research Grant-in-Aid program that will affect the grant review process were accepted by the Senate. A provision that would have expanded eligibility to include non-tenure track faculty was deleted following discussions with the Senate Research Grant-in-Aid Committee. (3/12/96)
  • A resolution was adopted establishing an ad hoc committee to study the appropriateness and impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) at Auburn University. (3/12/96)

    • February 13, 1996:
  • The Senate rejected a report by the Senate Academic Standards Committee that concluded grade inflation has occurred at Auburn University and that suggested five actions to control the problem. (2/13/96)
  • The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Gary Swanson that expressed "deep disappointment in [the] violation of trust by the University Administration and the Board of Trustees" in their granting of raises to two senior AU administrators. An attempt to amend the resolution by deleting reference to the "University Administration" failed. (2/13/96)

    • January 9, 1996:
  • A proposal from an ad hoc study committee that would have changed eligibility for, and review of, Research Grants-in-Aid, was referred to the Senate Research Grant-in-Aid Committee for further review and rewriting, and the Grant-in-Aid Committee was asked to bring the revised policy to the Senate at a later date. (1/9/96)

    • November 14, 1995:
    No actions were taken.

    October 17, 1995:
  • The Senate rejected a proposal requiring current A.U. retirees to pay an increasing percentage of the cost of their A.U. health insurance premium, so that, after 6 years, they would be paying 100% of the premium cost. (10/17/95)
  • The Senate approved a recommendation that current A.U. retirees, including those retiring prior to September 1, 1996, be "grandfathered in" to the current A.U. health insurance plan. (10/17/95)
  • The Senate approved a recommendation to President Muse that he defer consideration of the proposed incremental increase in the percentage of the A.U. health insurance premium that future retirees would have to pay. (10/17/95)

    • October 3, 1995:
  • The Senate referred back to the Academic Computing Committee the proposed "Auburn University Policy Regarding Internet Access and Applications." The committee was instructed to review and rewrite the policy with assistance from concerned faculty members. (10/3/95)
  • The Senate approved the 1995-96 nominees to Senate Committees that were proposed by the Rules Committee. (10/3/95)

    • August 8, 1995:
  • The Senate adopted a resolution honoring recent Auburn University retirees for their service to the University. (8/8/95)

    • July 11, 1995:
    Meeting was cancelled.

    June 13, 1995:
  • The Senate approved addition of the Memorial Day holiday to the Auburn University calendar for 1996-97 and for all subsequent years. The motion was amended before approval to stipulate deletion of one class day from Spring Quarter of the 1996-97 academic year. (6/13/95) [NOTE: In February 1996, President Muse rejected the addition of the Memorial Day holiday to the 1996-97 AU academic calendar.]
  • The Senate accepted the 1996-97 academic calendar proposed by Ed Ramey from the Calendar & Schedules Committee, after the calendar was revised to include the Memorial Day holiday and to delete one class day from Spring Quarter. (6/13/95)
  • The Senate accepted the similarly revised provisional calendar for 1997-1998. (6/13/95)
  • The Senate defeated a motion to adopt a resolution ordering the Calendar & Schedules Committee to conduct a faculty referendum on the proposed change to a semester calendar. (6/13/95)

    • May 9, 1995:
  • The Senate accepted revisions in Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 8, and the Index, of the Faculty Handbook, as proposed by the Faculty Handbook Review Committee. (5/9/95)
  • The Senate accepted the report by the Ad hoc Committee to Study Possible Change in the Auburn Calendar System, which recommended adopting a semester calendar system. (5/9/95)
  • The Senate elected 3 new members to the Senate Rules Committee: Glenn Howze, Becky Liddle, and Ida Reed. (5/9/95)

    • April 4, 1995:
  • After amendment, the Senate accepted Section 5 of the report from the Ad hoc Committee on Harassment Policy. The amendments 1) prohibited use of information obtained in an informal hearing during a subsequent formal hearing; 2) gave 3 students voting privileges on the proposed Harassment Complaint Committee; and 3) extended the statute of limitations described in Section A from 6 months to 12 months. (4/4/95)
  • The Senate accepted Recommendation 6 concerning a policy on consensual amorous relationships, and Recommendation 7 which advised preparation and distribution of a pamphlet dealing with sexual harassment. (4/4/95)
  • The Senate defeated a motion to adopt a resolution delaying until Fall Quarter the Senate's consideration of a proposed change to a semester calendar. (4/4/95)
  • The Senate tabled a motion to accept the report of the Ad hoc Committee to Study Possible Change in the Auburn Calendar System, which recommended changing to a semester calendar. (4/4/95)

    • March 14, 1995:
  • The Senate accepted Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the report by Glenn Howze from the Ad hoc Committee on Harassment Policy. Recommendation 1 established a university-wide definition of harassment; Recommendation 2 added "sexual orientation" to the list of characteristics protected under the University's harassment policy; Recommendation 3 added to the Faculty Handbook certain wording drawn from federal law; and Recommendation 4 inserted into the Faculty Handbook a statement clarifying the intent that the harassment policy not infringe on academic freedom. (3/14/95)
  • The Senate tabled a motion by Glenn Howze to accept Recommendation 5 of the report, which proposed formal and informal hearing procedures for handling harassment complaints. (3/14/95)
  • The Senate approved a recommendation by John Pritchett from the Graduate Council that departmental plans for Graduate Faculty membership require periodic review at intervals not to exceed 7 years. (3/14/95)
  • The Senate adpoted, after amendment, a resolution offered by Steve McFarland that recognized the threat of partisan politics to academic freedom, and directed the Senate Chair to express Senate's continuing commitment to academic freedom. The amendment removed reference to 4 specific events. (3/14/95)
  • The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Conner Bailey advising President Muse to defer rankings of university programs for purposes of budget allocation until adequate data are available and have been determined to be valid and reliable. (3/14/95)

    • February 14, 1995:
  • The Senate accepted a report by Carol Daron from the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee that would allow the Committee to recommend to the Provost "minor" changes in the Core Curriculum. (2/14/95)
  • The Senate adopted Tim Boosinger's motion proposing a two-year moratorium on "substantive" changes to the Core Curriculum, allowing time for evaluation of existing courses and prohibiting addition of new courses during the interim. (2/14/95)
  • The Senate adopted a resolution offered by Gary Swanson expressing the Senate's disappointment with implementation of a "Special Admissions" policy by the A.U. administration and the Trustees; and appointing a Task Force to study the new policy and report back to the Senate by October 1, 1995. (2/14/95)

    • January 10, 1995:
  • The Senate accepted a report by Herb Rotfeld from the Ad hoc Committee to Study Professional Improvement Leave Policy, which proposed two major changes in the current procedure for granting Professional Improvement Leave. (1/10/95)

    • November 8, 1994:
  • The Senate approved 1994-95 nominations to Senate Committees that were proposed by the Rules Committee. (11/8/94)
  • The Senate approved a motion by Ed Ramey to adopt the 1995-96 academic calendar that was proposed by the Calendar & Schedules Committee. That calendar includes a week-long Thanksgiving break and a 5-day final examination period. (11/8/94)
  • The Senate approved a motion by Ed Ramey to give preliminary acceptance to a calendar proposed for 1996-97. (11/8/94)
  • The Senate approved changes to the Academic Honesty Code that were offered by Betty Fendly of the Academic Honesty Committee. (11/8/94)
  • The Senate approved a report from Carol Daron and Drew Clark of the Curriculum Committee proposing definitions and policies for academic programs, majors, and minors. The report was amended before acceptance to make the policies governing majors and minors more consistent. (11/8/94)

    • October 4, 1994:
    No actions were taken.

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