Summary of AAUP Executive Committee meeting, August 27, 2003

The AAUP Executive Committee met on August 27, 2003 at 3:00 p. m. in Tichenor.

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

Discussion

Eight items were discussed.

New Faculty Orientation

The AAUP had a display at the new faculty orientation, August 19, to distribute information about the organization. Next year, we need to plan in advance to participate in this orientation by developing materials for the packets new faculty members receive and by preparing a display.

Faculty Reception

The fall faculty reception will be held on Thursday, September 4, 4:00-5:30 at Pebble Hill. The Executive Committee will provide the food and drink for the reception. All faculty and graduate students are invited to attend.

AAUP Chapter Newsletter

The Executive Committee members are unsure of the status of the fall AAUP chapter newsletter.

Panel Discussion on Copyright Laws

John Aull, Director of AU Instructional Multimedia Group, has requested that the AAUP become involved in sponsoring a panel discussion about copyright laws. After discussing this request at some length, the Executive Committee decided not to participate in the panel. Concerns were expressed about the appropriateness of this undertaking for the AAUP, and several Executive Committee members stated that the copyright policy is already clear. It was suggested that the patent policy is more controversial.

AAUP Fall Forum

President Mullen asked for suggestions about the AAUP Fall Forum. Much discussion followed, and these topics were considered:

· A public forum with Dr. Thomas Hanley, the newly hired Provost. The forum would begin with a brief statement by Dr. Hanley and then become an open-ended question-and-answer session. The Executive Committee agreed that this was the most interesting suggestion. President Mullen is supposed to contact Dr. Hanley.

· George W. Bush's agenda for higher education. Rumors are that Bush will target higher education as a scapegoat for the problems of the economy. He may attack higher education for the recent large increases in tuition and require greater accountability (more assessment). The Executive Committee thought that this topic was interesting and may reconsider it at a later time.

· AAUP National Statement on Athletics. This is the AAUP's 4th Annual Conference on Governance, jointly sponsored in collaboration with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics. It will be held in Indianapolis, October 9-11. Larry Gerber is participating as an AAUP speaker. It was suggested that something coming from this conference might serve as a possible forum topic

· The Patriot Act.

Separate AAUP Listservs for Discussion and for Information

Currently, we maintain one listserv for discussion and information. However, some members have complained that they are not interested in the discussion and that they are receiving too many emails. Therefore, the Executive Committee voted to create two listservs*one for information only and one for discussion.

Separating the Secretary/Treasurer Position

Currently, Secretary/Treasurer is a single position in our chapter AAUP. However, because of the increasing workload, the Executive Committee voted to create two separate positions*one for Secretary and one for Treasurer. We will need to change the Constitution to reflect this change.

Faculty Evaluation by Department Heads and Chairs

Paul Starr requested to address the Executive Board about the lack of yearly faculty evaluation by the Heads or Chairs of some departments. The Faculty Handbook requires that yearly evaluation of faculty members by their Heads or Chairs take place, that the evaluation be written, and that the faculty members receive two copies of the evaluation and sign one for permanent placement in their personnel file. It was suggested that Dr. Starr check the SACS Self Study Faculty Survey to get an idea of how widespread the problem is on campus.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40