Minutes of the University Senate Special Meeting
28 April 2009
3:00 p.m.
Broun Hall Auditorium
Submitted by
Dennis DeVries, Secretary
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(for a complete transcription of the meeting, go to https://auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/website/transcripts/TrScrpt2008-2009/transcript_04_28_09.html )
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Present: Kathryn Flynn, Dennis Devries, Russ Muntifering, Andrew McLelland, Winfred Foster, Norbert Wilson, Sondra Parmer, Barbara Kemppainen, Christopher McNulty, Anthony Moss, Yifen Wang, Ronald Neuman, Rik Blumenthal, Larry Crowley, Brigitta Brunner, Laura Plexico, Sanjeev Baskiyar, John Saye, James Witte, James Goldstein, Robin Huettel, Larry Teeter, Jim Saunders, Mark Fischman, David Carter, Ellen Abell, Shea Tillman, Robert Bulfin, Andrew Wohrley, Steve Stuckwisch, Bart Prorok, Howard Goldstein, Jim Wright, Daniel Parson, Jan Kavookjian, Bernie Olin, Guy Rohrbaugh, Changhoon Jung, Robert Voitle, Chris Correia, Del Epperson, Emily Myers
Absent, sending a substitute: Joe Morgan (for Larry Benefield), Joel Hunter (for Judy Woodrow), David Hennessey (for April Staton), Lee Colquitt (for Kevin Yost), Robert Weigel (for John Mazaheri), Kim Raines (for Constance Hendricks), Yasser Gowayed (for Gwen Thomas), Robin Jaffe (for M. Scott Phillips)
Absent, no substitute: Claire Crutchley, Robert Locy, Richard Brinker, Paul Bobrowski, Timothy Boosinger, R. Lee Evans, Anne-Katrin Gramberg, Barbara Witt, John Mason, Jeff McNeil, Mary Ellen Mazey, Bonnie MacEwan, Jacob Watkins, James Winfield, Larry Crowley, Joe Molnar, Bill Hames, Ruth Crocker, Charles Mitchell, Werner Bergen, Michael Clay, Paul Swamidass, Paul Holley, Carol Centrallo, Michael Stern, Michael Baginski, Allen Davis, Raymond Kessler, Casey Cegielski, Edith Davidson, Claire Zizza, Don-Terry Veal, Mike Bozack, Peggy Shippen, Scott Lewis, Jon Segars, R.D. Montgomery
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Call to Order:
Kathryn Flynn called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Announcements:
Kathryn Flynn (Faculty Chair) noted that the purpose of today's meeting was to consider supporting the letter and resolution that had been sent to the Senators for their consideration. The purpose of those items is to allow Auburn University to deal with its own tuition. The letter and resolution were both developed by the Steering Committee, so they do not require a second to be considered by the Senate. They were both reviewed by the Office for Governmental Affairs. She encouraged Senators to avoid wordsmithing. Dr. Gogue has already sent a letter to the legislature and the students approved a resolution last night. If approved, these items will be sent to a number of legislators. She noted the procedures to be used for discussing the letter and resolution.
She started with a consideration of the letter.
There were no comments on the letter and it was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Kathryn Flynn read the resolution and then opened up the floor for comment.
Andrew Wohrley (Library) agreed with the draft resolution, but felt one argument was missing and wanted to amend the resolution to include another "whereas" section dealing with the constitutionality of the process. He read the proposed amendment and suggested it be considered as a friendly amendment. Because not all of the Steering Committee members were present, it could not be considered as a friendly amendment, so was considered as a regular amendment and was seconded. Discussion of the amendment included whether the process was indeed going to be unconstitutional or if the legislature was careful in avoiding that issue.
The amendment was defeated by a hand vote.
Jim Saunders (Geology/Geography) noted that appropriations are about ½ of what they were years ago. Would that be a non-inflammatory piece to include here? He did not have wording for an amendment but would like to have some language in the letter. He asked if Don Large had those numbers available.
Don Large (Executive VP) said he did not, but that there has been a notable shift in the proportion of Auburn University's budget that is contributed by tuition versus state appropriations through time, to the point where we are currently at about 50:50. He noted that we try to be good stewards of our money and stay within regional bounds.
The resolution passed unanimously by a voice vote.
Unfinished Business:
There was no unfinished business.
New Business:
There was no new business.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:18 PM.