Steering Minutes
Senate Steering Meeting
August 23, 2022, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Present: Mark Carpenter (Chair), Todd Steury (Immediate Past Chair), L. Octavia Tripp (Secretary), Lisa Kensler (Chair-Elect), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary-Elect), Vini Nathan  (Interim Provost), Evelyn Hunter, Robert Norton, Danilea Werner, Robert Cochran.

Special Guest: Katie Boyd, Director of Academic Insight

Not present: Mark Barnett, guest to talk on parking policy.

Senate Chair, Mark Carpenter, called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.

Welcome to everyone and to our new member, Evelyn Hunter.

Hearing no objections, Approval of Steering Minutes from June 7, 2022 were approved by unanimous consent.

Todd Steury announced that as of September 1, 2022, he would be stepping down as Immediate Past Chair. He will become the Associate Dean in the College of Wildlife, Forestry, and the Environment.

Announcements:

Octavia Tripp shared committee assignments for administrator review. Senators nominated were Roy Hartfield, Christine Schnittka, Michael Baginski, Linda Gibson-Young, Lisa Kensler, David Han, Liliana Stern, Richard Sesek, and Evelyn Hunter. All individuals were reviewed by Rules. All names were sent to Provost Nathan, and she approved.

Lisa Kensler asked Provost Nathan a question concerning who would chair the Administrator review committee and Provost Nathan said Jim Ryan will assign the chair of the committee from the Provost’s Office.

Information  Items:

Chair, Mark Carpenter discussed that previously Steering would have had a presentation from Mark Barnett on the update of the new parking policy. Mark Barnett was not present to give the presentation due to a conflict.

Katie Boyd, Director of Director of Auburn Achieve, gave an update on the proposal for QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan). Chair Carpenter suggested that the presentation time be reduced.

Chair Carpenter asked if anything should be added to the agenda. Todd, IPC, asked about the parking policy. Todd suggested that Mark Barnett make a recording about the policy presentation and have Steering review it. Everyone agreed that this would be a good idea.

Unfinished or New Business:

Chair Carpenter asked about “Constitutional Carry.” since many faculty had been asking about this policy.

Robert Norton and Bob Cochran discussed “Constitutional Carry.” It was suggested that we get information from the general counsel. It was stated that the general counsel might not want to get involved.

As of January 1, 2023, “Constitutional Carry.” will be law in the state of Alabama. So, the question remains, can Auburn continue to carry out its ban on weapons on campus?
Lisa Kensler asked about policy for the football stadium next year. Can we enforce the ban on weapons in buildings and football stadiums, and is that legal?
Octavia Tripp asked for clarification about the ban and “Constitutional Carry.” It was decided that there needs to be a discussion and let legal look at the policy first.

The Senate Chair discussed going through the clearance process to get grants. Background checks are standard format. Chair Carpenter offered that much information should be given to the faculty as soon as possible. There will be much discussion once this information is given to the faculty. Bob Norton suggested that Tony Novara, from the Chief Research Security Office, come to Steering to discuss the clearance policy in a presentation before it is decided to be presented to the faculty.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the Senate agenda as amended. (link the 8/30/22 Senate Agenda here)

Adjournment

Chair Mark Carpenter adjourned the meeting at 4:31 p.m.