Minutes

Steering Committee
October 10, 2023
  3:30 p.m.
107 Samford

Steering Committee Present: Lisa Kensler (Chair), Linda Gibson-Young (Secretary), Jaena Alabi (Secretary-elect), Laura Kloberg (Admin Asst), Lori Eckhardt (Chair elect), J Brian Anderson, Robert Cochran, Danilea Werner (substitute for L. Octavia Tripp), Evelyn Hunter; Vini Nathan.
Guests: Dan Whatley, Executive Director, Operations for Dan King; Asim Ali, ; Karen Battye
Absent: Mark Carpenter (Past Chair), bereavement excused

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.


Welcome to guests/introductions.
Call to order at 3:36pm
Steering Minutes from September 12, 2023 Approved unanimously as posted.

Draft Senate Agenda for October 17, 2023.

Announcements

Provost Nathan- plans to address Senate with updates and awards.

Information Items

  1. Facilities Update-  Dan Whatley, Executive Director, Operations for Dan King presented Auburn Construction updates, starting with Fall video. Plans to highlight Auburn Main Campus Project Sites: Facilities Management Training Center, McWhorter Center Gymnastics & Softball Team Area Renovations; Plainsman Park Improvements; Melton Student Center Starbucks Relocation and Renovations; College of Education Building; and CADC Research Support and Innovation Center.  Will also highlight off-campus discussions on Hood McPherson Building Renovation - Birmingham, AL; Alabama Cooperative Extension System Graham Farm & Nature Center Pavilion - Jackson County, AL; Auburn University Regional Airport Corporate Hangar at South Ramp; and Auburn University at Montgomery Science Laboratory Facilities Renovation. Dan King will present and plans to open for Q&A session.

  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Auburn University- Asim Ali presented plans for discussing AI. Will discuss challenges and opportunities with teaching and learning; research opportunities; and risk management and technical situations. Plans to present Auburn University’s AI Course as self-paced research. 4000 learners in the course and the non-AU course is a terrific place to engage in research with AI. TRON: Think Tank Film Festival on October 24 with discussion. Planned AI Day on January 25, 2025.

Action Items

  1. Calendar and Schedules-  Karen Battye, Registrar, presented 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 calendar. The calendars have been approved by the Senate- Calendar Committee. Ready for vote.  
  2. Vote on Policy Advisory Committee Proposal- Lisa Kensler highlighted need for 2/3 majority (n = 60). Lori Eckhardt will present for Senate Agenda.
  3. Voting on Senate Committees- Linda Gibson-Young presented names for Senate Committee Nominees as approved by Rules Committee:  Grad Council- Bryan Beckingham to replace Jean Francois Louf in SGCOE; University Writing- Russell Mailen to replace Steve Duke also in SGCOE; Faculty Handbook Review- Carey Andrzejewski to replace Leonard Taylor in COE.

Adjourned at 5:01 PM.