Auburn University Steering Committee
Minutes
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
206 Samford Hall

Present: Larry Teeter (Chair), James Goldstein (Chair-Elect), Laura Plexico (Secretary), Xing Ping Hu (Secretary-Elect), Emmett Winn, Patricia Duffy (Immediate-Past Chair), Sara Wolf, Lisa Kensler, Keven Yost, Emily Myers

Absent: Timothy Boosinger

The first item of business was approval of the April 14, 2016 steering minutes.

Reviewed the May 17 draft agenda. James suggested adding the new handbook revisions addressing cluster hires to the agenda as an action item. Laura asked that a vote on senate committees also be added to the agenda as an action item.

Discussed whether an ad hoc committee on Competency Based Education (CBE) needs to be approved by steering. Lisa made a motion to authorize an ad hoc committee. Formation of the committee was approved by steering unanimously. At the senate meeting Lisa will ask for volunteers for the ad hoc committee.  It will be the ad hoc committee assessing the viability of CBE at AU. The committee will include 7-9 faculty and one non-faculty member (Shawndra Bowers) with the charge to bring back a proposal on CBE implementation by January 2017 if deemed appropriate.

Following was discussion of the proposed policy to change the W dates. Constance drafted a proposal to address concerns raised at the senate meeting about W’s during the summer semester. There was one inconsistency in the proposed modification about the days and whether the proposed days in the mini term are a reflection of the proposed percentage of a W by 72% of the term. Constance will be asked to rereview the numbers.

Next was discussion of SSC (Student Success Collaborative) representation on behalf of Patricia while she is on leave. Larry will ask Michelle Worosz, Kathy Erwin or Amy Wright to represent the senate.

Larry suggested forming an ad Hoc committee on Annual Leave sharing. Asked steering to think about people and how the committee should be structured.

Discussed the Office of Communications and Marketing Associate Vice President position. Emmett suggested having Barb Bondy as the senate representative on the search committee. 

Associate Deans Research retreat highlights were provided by Larry. OVPR provided some suggestions for how research productivity could be increased. It was suggested that there might be a review of P&T guidelines to increase rigor.

The president convened a task force on building names. Several recommendations were made by the task force. One of which involves action on 3 buildings and another possibly having a committee review the names of building.

There was discussion of future meeting presentations. Emily asked whether someone from the diversity task force or mental health task force could come talk to the Senate.

Adjourned 4:57