Senate Steering Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
3:30 pm
107 Samford
Present: Lori Eckhardt (Chair), Jaena Alabi (Secretary), Virginia Davis (Chair-Elect), Rachel Prado (Secretary-Elect), Lisa Kensler (Immediate Past Chair), J. Brian Anderson (Presidential Appointee), Vini Nathan (Provost)
Absent: Andrew Pendola, L. Octavia Tripp, and Tom Leathem
Special Guests: Karen Battye Registrar and Chair of the Calendar and Schedules Committee; Wesley Lindsey, Chair of the Library Committee; Martha Taylor, Assistant VP for Research and Scholarly Analytics; Silvia Quintero Naranjo, Director ERA and Research Analytics; Marybeth Murphy, University Event Database Administrator, OCM; Kionna Coleman, Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing Operations; Laura Kloberg, Administrative Assistant; Allison Batts, Senate Parliamentarian; Norman Godwin, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs.
Minutes
Meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m. by Chair Eckhardt
Minutes from the October 8, 2024 Steering Meeting were approved by unanimous consent
Agenda for the November Senate Meeting was approved by unanimous consent
Announcements
Provost Nathan shared a preview of remarks and announcements that she and President Roberts will make at the November Senate meeting. President Roberts will share updates on the Board of Trustee’s upcoming meeting agenda. Provost Nathan will provide an update on the comprehensive analysis of faculty compensation, workload, and productivity. She will likely have a couple of other updates to share as well: Interim Dean for the College of Agriculture; Phi Beta Kappa; December graduation; and the announcement of a committee to refresh the faculty handbook.
Information Item Presentations
Endeavor, Electronic Research Administration (ERA) System Update: Martha Taylor provided an update on the continued roll out of modules in Endeavor. Several recommendations were made, including spelling out acronyms when first used, reminding faculty that they’re already using parts of Endeavor, and to clarify how this system will impact faculty members.
AU App Update: Marybeth Murphy shared information on the new centralized Auburn University App, which was debuted earlier this year in Camp War Eagle sessions. In addition to making it easy to access some of the most commonly used resources, the AU App also connects to other university apps, including campus safety, parking and transportation, and the new interactive, 3d campus wayfinding map, among others. OCM has shared the app with various student groups, Staff Council, and A&P Assembly, and would like to encourage faculty to download, use, and provide feedback on the app.
Action Item Presentations
Calendar and Schedule 2027-2028: Karen Battye presented the academic calendar for 2027-2028. There was a request to clarify dates on the calendar (they are numbered by class days, rather than day of the month), as well as a couple of questions. One question regarded starting the fall semester on Mondays while spring semester starts on Wednesdays; Battye noted that it’s not possible to get a full week for exams without breaking over a weekend if fall classes don’t begin on a Monday. Another question was about collaboration with the city schools, and Battye noted that the Auburn City School’s calendar hasn’t been posted for 2027-2028 yet, but that spring break is scheduled to align with when the city schools have previously held spring break.
Library Committee Report: Wesley Lindsey shared information on the members of the Senate Library Committee, as well as the committee’s three functions: interfacing between library services and academic units, advocating for resources/services, and currently assisting with strategic planning.
New Business
There was a brief discussion of the need for productive engagement of senators during senate meetings.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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.