Steering Committee Minutes
March 12, 2024
  3:30 p.m.
107 Samford

Steering Committee Present: Lisa Kensler (Chair), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary), Laura Kloberg (Admin Asst), Lori Eckhardt (Chair elect), Robert Cochran, J Brian Anderson, Evelyn Hunter, Mark Carpenter (Past Chair)
Guests: Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia, Ph.D., Associate Director, Licensed Psychologist; Mitchell Brown (Chair, Faculty Handbook Committee); Duha Tore Altindag, Joseph Majdalani, Michael Stern, Matthew Hoch (Chair, Faculty Salary & Welfare Committee)
Absent: Allison Batts (Parliamentarian), Jaena Alabi (Secretary-elect)

Mission:  The Steering Committee acts on behalf of the AU Senate on matters requiring attention between meetings of that body and assists the chair of the Senate in setting the agenda for Senate meetings. In addition, it is concerned with the academic affairs of the University, with particular attention given to the need for developing and recommending policies under which these affairs are conducted. It works closely with other Senate committees to aid them in their assignments.

Call to order at 3:30 p.m.
Welcome to guests/introductions.
Steering Minutes from February 13, 2024. Approved by unanimous consent as posted.

Discussion, edit, and approval of Senate Agenda for University Senate Meeting on March 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM (aub.ie/senatezoom )

Remarks/Announcements
Provost Nathan mentioned close timeline for P&T Announcement.

Information Item
Reviewed report from AU Student Counseling & Psychological Services using PPT over 10-minute period – Joeleen Cooper-Bhatia, Associate Director. Questions posed after completion of presentation. International Accreditation to Counseling Services and peer school

Committee Report

  1. Salary Study from Faculty Salaries & Welfare Committee – Matthew Hoch (Chair), Duha Tore Altindag, Joseph Majdalani, Michael Stern (presenter): Report follows Senator Liliana Stern’s motion passed November 2023: The Senate Requests that the Faculty Salary & Welfare Committee broadly investigate the raises and increases in compensation for administrators and staff versus the faculty compensation overall and present at a future Senate Meeting.) Two Annual Observation Data Sources: 1) Budget Employee Salary file from Nov 2012-2023; 2) Total Annual Earnings based on fiscal years (Oct 1-Sept 30 from 2015-2023). Presentation clear with 15 minutes recommended.
  1. Faculty Handbook – Mitchell Brown, Chair (presenter).

Action Items

  1. VOTE: Motion to accept the Ad Hoc Committee on Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability and Engagement report and recommendation to create a permanent Senate Committee.
  2. VOTE: Rules Committee Nominees – Linda Gibson-Young, Secretary
  3. VOTE: Senate Committee Members – Linda Gibson-Young, Secretary

New Business

Senate Agenda Approved.
Adjourned at 4:45 PM.