Summary of AAUP Executive Committee meeting, July 23, 2003

The AAUP Executive Committee met on July 23, 2003 at 3:00 p. m. in HC 9090.

The following members were present: Larry Gerber, Glenn Howze, Jeff Jakeman, Gary Mullen, Christa Slaton, and Isabelle Thompson. Absent were Jim Bradley, Wayne Brewer, Robin Jaffe, Renee Middleton, Virginia O'Leary, Judy Sheppard, and Bill Trimble.

Discussion

Ten items were discussed.

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Posted

The Executive Committee decided to post the minutes from its meetings on the AAUP listserv and on the website.

AAUP Newsletter Fall Issue

The Executive Committee discussed designing the Fall AAUP Newsletter as a parody of some current concerns on campus, including the SACS Self Study and the Jang case. Committee members were concerned that parody is difficult to write, that it might trivialize the issues being discussed, and that it might be confusing to those who are unfamiliar with the issues. Committee members agreed to go ahead with the draft, but they want to review it before it is printed.

Provost Search

Since we still have not received a complete response to our inquiry about the Provost search process, the Executive Committee discussed the possibility of continuing to press our concerns. We decided to back off

in this particular case but to be ready for the next violation of AA-EEO hiring procedures that occurs on campus.

Auburn Hiring Practices and the AA-EEO

Related to discussions of the Provost search, the Executive Committee considered how to respond to future violations of AA-EEO hiring practices. After much discussion, it was suggested that the AAUP develop a statement, perhaps submitted as a resolution to the Senate, acknowledging the importance of following proper hiring procedures and describing those procedures.

In the process of the discussion, we learned that although the University has stringent and detailed hiring procedures for faculty, it does not have them for other positions. We plan to meet with Janet Saunders and Kelley Taylor to encourage them to develop more detailed, written procedures. It was suggested asking the Senate to support the writing of the new procedures, if necessary. Interim positions as well as permanent positions need to be included in the descriptions. The Executive Committee is considering developing an AAUP checklist based on the new procedures to give to faculty members on search committees.

Auburn's Proposed Revision of the Patent Policy

The Senate Rules Committee is establishing an ad hoc committee chaired by David Bransby to look into problems with the proposed Patent Policy. The Executive Committee complimented Senate Chair John Mouton for setting up this committee and for getting permission from the central administration to hire a lawyer to review future revisions of the proposed policy from a faculty perspective.

Bor Jang Case

Bor Jang, formerly in Material Sciences and Engineering, is reluctant to press the issue of his firing. In addition, Senate Chair Mouton is reluctant to look into the case. Although the Executive Committee decided that we can not do much to support Bor Jang, we are concerned that similar harassment is occurring on campus. It is important that AAUP members serve on the Faculty Dismissal Inquiry Committee and the Faculty Dismissal Hearing Committee.

Responses to the SACS Self Study and the Bradley Report

Committees continue to work on responses to the SACS Self Study and the

Bradley report.

Plans for AAUP Chapter Reception for Faculty in the Fall

Christa Slaton is responsible for planning the AAUP Chapter Reception for Faculty. The proposed date is September 4.

AAUP Participation in Orientation for New Faculty

It was suggested that AAUP be represented at the orientation for new faculty and that we set up a table in the area.

Other Items

The AAUP-developed Faculty Handbook revision to allow for a very limited degree of flexibility in counting years of prior service in faculty hiring (which the Senate had approved) has gained approval from the Board of Trustees and will be incorporated into the Handbook.

University President Walker initially delayed forwarding the other AAUP-developed and Senate-approved Faculty Handbook revision involving non-continuation of pre-tenure faculty prior to a tenure vote. The Senate had approved a procedure to insure a vote of departmental faculty in such cases. President had no objections to this vote but was concerned after speaking with University Counsel Lee Armstrong that other language in the proposal involving the Provost prior to a final decision blurred the distinction between the rights of tenured and non-tenured faculty. Following a meeting between Larry Gerber and Patricia Duffy of the AAUP, the Senate Officers, and President Walker and Interim Provost Pritchett, President Walker withdrew his objections and agreed to pass along the proposal to the Board for final approval.