Meeting Minutes of the Steering Committee
7 September 2011
3:30 p.m. Provost’s Conference Room 206 Samford Hall
(by Larry Crowley, Secretary)

In Attendance: Nedret Billor, Michael Baginski , Tim Boosinger, Larry Crowley, Claire Crutchley, Robin Jaffe,  Laura Plexico, Ann Beth Pressley, Bill Sauser, Andy Wohrley
Guests: Emmett Winn and Laura Ann Forest, University Registrar
Absent:  None

-- The meeting was called to order at 3:40 pm.

-- The meeting minutes of August 17, 2011 Steering Committee were approved as written.

-- Announcement of open forums for the four provost candidates would be held September 12, 15, 19, and 27 from 3-4pm in the library.

-- Discussion of the graduation and calendar revisions that will be brought before the senate for approval as an action item.  Graduation is planned for Sunday and Monday (May 6th and 7th) for the spring semester 2012 subject to approval of the calendar revision.  Laura Ann Forest, University Registrar, will be in attendance when the calendar is discussed at senate to address any concerns from the registrar’s perspective.

-- Discussion of mailing diplomas in lieu of current practices.  Laura Ann Forest is meeting with various leadership groups on campus about adopting the practice of mailing diplomas.  One comment mentioned from steering was for the registrar to email the new graduates with confirmation that they have in fact graduated.  The registrar was in agreement with this action.  Steering Committee was in agreement with mailing diplomas.  Laura Ann Forest left the meeting following this discussion.

-- Two information items will be brought before senate in September. Nancy McDaniel and Paul Harris will present on the Common Book for the upcoming year.  John Mason, VP of Research will make a presentation on research being conducted at Auburn on the oil spill.

-- Teaching evaluation implementation was discussed as a potential information item for future senate meetings.

-- Digital Measures clarification of expectations from the provost office to the faculty.

-- Potential charges to committees for upcoming year:

1. Teaching Effectiveness Committee looking into International Study abroad issues.

2. Non-Tenure Track Faculty Committee reporting on how lecturers are being utilized at
Auburn.

3. Programs with Disabilities Committee looking at emerging technologies

4. Teaching Evaluation Committee considering post-treatment effect of online student evaluations

-- Potential topics of discussion at the monthly meeting with Dr. Gogue included: fall enrollment numbers, FAA recertification of the flight school, graduate certifications.

-- Meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.