Draft Minutes of the General Faculty Meeting, October 9, 2007*
3:00 p.m. Broun Hall Auditorium
Call to Order
Approval of minutes from the March 13, 2007
Remarks and Announcements
Remarks by Senate Chair—David Cicci
Welcome to the Fall 2007 General Faculty Meeting. I’m pleased that you could be here. We have three interesting and timely information items to discuss today: John Heilman will discuss both the Writing Initiative and the Strategic Planning process, and Larry Fillmer will make a presentation on the Natural Resources Management and Development Institute. I urge you to take the opportunity today to ask many questions regarding these important matters. If you attended the Senate meeting last week, I’m sure you’re glad to know that there aren’t any action items on the agenda.
Senate Committees are currently preparing two important proposals which will presented in the near future: one to staff an Ombudsman position and one to re-establish a Professional Improvement Leave program for faculty. In addition, the Faculty Salaries Committee is studying the Merit Raise Resolution, which will come before the Senate as an action item in November. Senate leadership has also been working on options to address the possible loss of facilities currently used by the University Club, or even reconstituting that organization into a Faculty Club having a dedicated facility, as is common at many other institutions.
One major effort on the part of the administration is addressing security issues on campus. Changes resulting from the recommendations of a security consultant will likely be on a fast-track and some changes will occur very soon. That important issue is one of concern to the entire university community.
If there are any questions of the Chair, I will be glad to try to answer them at this time. Thank you.
Remarks by Dr. Jay Gogue (President)
Greetings. It is good to be here at Auburn. I have received much diverse email from parents, students, and alums since my arrival. Some people want to de-emphasize athletics while others don’t understand why professors let class interfere with football games. It isn’t possible to make everyone happy.
At Auburn, we need to move to making more data-based decisions. It is very important for decisions to be as transparent as possible to move Auburn forward. Share governance is critical to the future of Auburn University. Relationships with faculty need to continue to improve.
We need to take a good look at our provisions. Prefer to be silent and then negotiate.
Thomas Friedman spoke as part of the Littleton-Franklin Lecture Series. He emphasized Liberal Arts and stated that “Green is the new Red White and Blue”. It is important to cost out sustainability and green initiatives.
Information Items
Writing Initiative -- Dr. John Heilman (Provost)
The Provost’s Office has been researching Writing Initiatives at other universities including Denver, Denver, Duke, and Rutgers. Joseph Harris has done writing programs and had visited campus. A course of action is being put together and we are looking the best method to get faculty input. A campus task force is being established including Senate leadership, faculty from every college/school, and students. The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies will have a role to play in this. This Task Force will be looking at several things, as part of its charge, including writing beyond the core, tutorial support, incentives for training, assessment across disciplines, and teaching smaller classes. This will take resources, approximately $10,000,000. The Board of Trustees is committed to this effort in undergraduate education.
Attention to assessment will begin at entrance to the University. We will need to assess students’ writing skills as they enter the University. How will affect hours in core curriculum?
Don’t know yet.
The Board of Trustees is very interested in the Task Force – Who will be chair for task force – select from membership. Assoc Provost for undergrad studies – would play larger roll.
Natural Resources Management and Development Institute--Larry Fillmer (Exec Dir, AU Inst Natural Res)
The Natural Resources Management and Development Institute provides a framework for collaborative research and outreach. The Water Resource Management is a major part of the Initiative. Dr. Graeme Lockaby appointed chair of the Water Resources Center in February of 2007. The goals of the program are to:
Provide solid quantitative estimates of amounts of available water in river basins
throughout the state and region.
Provide resources for a state of the art water laboratory to improve analytical capabilities
related to detection of pollutants/contaminants.
Model flow regimes using integrated watershed approach so as to assess how changes in
climate, land-use and land cover impact on the local economy and environment.
In addition, the Advanced Water Quality Lab will enhance water analysis capabilities and provide a central service facility on campus.
Dr. Steven Taylor was appointed Chair of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts in February 2007. The Alternative Energy Initiative actually began in February of 2006. The program goals of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts are:
Advance economic developments in Alabama through reinvigoration of the present
natural resource-based industries.
Establish new industries base on energy and valu-added products from renewable
biomass sources..
Utilize systems approach.
Form partnerships.
The Center will focus efforts on finding technologies to make bioenergy more cost-competitive with traditional petroleum fuels. Planning is underway to develop a new campus lab to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. Currently, the proposed location is near the Research Park.
The Advanced Semiconductor Materials Research Program, led by Dr. John Williams and Dr. Minseo Park, joined the Institute in August of 2007. Program goals are:
Develop advanced semiconductor materials and device technology for more efficient
energy usage.
Commercialize more energy efficient and reliable power electronics for a broad range of
applications.
Train students in the development and use of wide band gap semiconductors.
Collaborate with industry partners
In 2008, the Institute hopes to plan, design, and construct the Bioenergy—Bioproducts lab, begin renovation of the E.V. Smith Complex, develop a nature based tourism initiative, develop sel-funding strategies, and integrate the Sustainability Initiative and the AU Environmental Institute into the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute.
Strategic Plan – Dr. John Heliman (Provost)
The Strategic Plan has definite time lines. Dr. Gogue will present ideas to the Board of Trustees at the February Board meeting and plans to present the Strategic Plan at the April meeting. This is a tight time line but very feasible.
The website for the Strategic Plan allows for everyone on campus to participate. Please participate and give your input. This is your chance to participate in and contribute to the Strategic Plan.
Internal groups will be consulted for input. Each group will have approximately 20 participants with a trained facilitator for discussion. Specific entities on campus will have focus groups, such as deans, department heads/chairs, faculty, staff, A&P, senators, students, etc. All information gathered will be recorded and reported to use as a framework to build the Strategic Plan. In addition, stakeholders in the state will, also, have the opportunity to give input. The forums will be held in the Trustee’s districts. The initial results will be reported at the February board meeting. The international aspect of education will be a priority.
David Cicci (Chair)
Any old business?
Any new business?
Seeing none, the meeting is adjourned.
*Please note that the recording device did not work and there is no transcript available for the meeting.